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Build a Carpet Mill?

15477 Views 10 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Chrisnjen, 
OrsonDogge
It is possible to build your own dog treadmill??

I've seen people convert their human treadmills...but
i read that human ones arent good for dogs cause the
tread length is too short for dog stride. :?

Or is there a way to build one from scratch?
Thanks in advance!
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Dog Treadmills?

They actually build Treadmills specifically for dogs. I have a cousin that builds them for Pitbulls. He regularly exercises them on his treadmills because it's hard for him to take them out on walks. He has to take them out really really late otherwise someone always calls the cops on him or follow him home and then calls the cops on him because they state "He's training his pits to fight". Go figure.

Anyway the point is, there are people out there that make them. I know the ones he builds generally run from $600 to $1000, I've seen them run all the way up to $3000 depending on what options and sizing. I'll try to find a picture. The other option you have is to use a regular motorized treadmill, but with those you can leave you dog unattended at all.
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I know this isnt' what you're asking, but for what it's worth...

Before we bought ours, I seriously considered trying to build one. After only the initial research and planning, however, I came to the conclusion that the material cost wasn't going to be as much of a savings as I'd hoped; and coupled with the time and hassle it would have taken to actually build a decent mill, it was not worth the money I would have saved.

www.grandcarpetmill.com is where ours came from. Less than $400 shipped to CA and well worth the money spent.
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Dog Runs

Ask my cousin about the carpet mills and he said that's what made him want to build his own.
1. Didn't move as easily, really needed an experience dog on it to keep it going.
2. The carpet wore out to quickly.

He also said that he generally sells them for $650, but for a bigger down say 80lbs that would be about $750. We're in CA, so shipping is approx $200. I know, ouch! But these things are light weight and very easy for the dogs to run on. The link below is a picture of one with soft wheels to keep the noise down, but without the panels to run on. I'll be getting pictures of a completed one soon (and video of dogs actually running on them). He uses lightweight Oak panels for the dogs to run on, very durable and they last a long time. I believe he also sends out spare panels that can be swapped out in the event one breaks. He machines everything himself, from scratch.

This treadmill is "in progress".
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j109/fuzytech/krossfire/pictures/treadmill-01.jpg

Disclaimer: I know some people get upset when someone tries to solicite work on forums so let me say this. I'm not trying to sell anything on here, nor am I trying to advocate for another seller. I'm merely giving advice. My cousin doesn't do this for a living, he actually works for a school district as a welder, locksmith, electrician, A/C guy. He's just your typical handyman. Once my pup gets old enough I'm going to have him build me one on a "family discount" :D The summers here reach 125 degrees and 109 at night, so it's not always good weather to take your dog out for a walk. His dogs absolutely love them. In fact he has to hide them (the treadmills) in the garage because the dogs just go crazy when they seem them and don't want to get off.

BTW, if you do a search for Treadmills and Pits you'll find plenty out there to choose from.
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OrsonDogge
www.grandcarpetmill.com is where ours came from. Less than $400 shipped to CA and well worth the money spent.
Click to expand...
That isnt bad, $400 total? Which size did you get? That is in my budget.
Like you said, not sure all the hassle of building one is worth it...and
i'm soo not the handy "girl" type.
I have a cousin that builds them for Pitbulls.
Click to expand...
That one in the pic is very nice looking!! His are expensive, i guess.
Really want one for not more than $500 :?
And i did google for treadmills and only found the grand carpet mills
and the other place had them for $1000 plus!!!
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Yes, they are expensive. It's hard to find good mills that are cheap.
Ocasionally you can find those old manual treadmills at swapmeets. The ones that use to use rollers instead of a motor. Most of the time all you have to do is grease the wheels/rollers and maybe replace the band. Attach a few hooks, small chain to hook up your dogs harness too and you got yourself a cheap treadmill. Only problem is they typically don't last that long cause the dogs are hard on them.
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OrsonDogge said:
www.grandcarpetmill.com is where ours came from. Less than $400 shipped to CA and well worth the money spent.
Click to expand...
That isnt bad, $400 total? Which size did you get? That is in my budget.
Like you said, not sure all the hassle of building one is worth it...and
i'm soo not the handy "girl" type.
Click to expand...
We have the regular sized Grand Deluxe. Both dogs fit on it fine. The first belt held up for about a year, but I didn't coat it with silicone like they recommend (which they say will triple the life). The construction is good as far as I'm concerned. It does take a little bit of time and training/coaxing until the dogs really get the hang of it. Chance was running flat out on like the 2nd or 3rd day...although he has incredible nerve and he's too smart for his own good. Using the cat for bait seemed to help him along.... But our cat is a tubby, happy-go-lucky little guy who didn't seem to mind it too much. I wouldn't recommend this method in a general sense :p.

It was $320 + the flat $44 s&h (shipping is the same for anywhere inside the Continental US), so $366 total. I don't believe they charged any tax.
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OrsonDogge
Thanks! I guess i am gonna get the regular grand carpet mill.
I hope he isnt scared of it or doesnt know how to use it...dont wanna
waste that money. Maybe he will suprise me and love it! I know
I will...esp. getting some of his energy drained! :D
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OrsonDogge said:
Thanks! I guess i am gonna get the regular grand carpet mill.
I hope he isnt scared of it or doesnt know how to use it...dont wanna
waste that money. Maybe he will suprise me and love it! I know
I will...esp. getting some of his energy drained! :D
Click to expand...
Cool. Just remember to take it very slowly. You'll probably want to prop the back end up with some books or blocks so that the running surface is level at first. The angle is pretty steep for a beginner.

Baby steps are the key. It might take a few days to from just sniffing it, to standing on it, to taking one step, to taking a few steps....you get the idea. It's kinda like crate training - make him associate the mill with being happy and having fun. Don't push him.
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OrsonDogge
I ordered one!!!!
I'm sure i will be back when i get it to ask questions about
getting Orson on it and setting it up (im sure "assembly required").
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A little bit of assembly, but it's not bad. I think I had it set up in about 30 minutes.
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