A Day Trip To The Dog Gym.

This section explains more about the dog gym.

What makes it great.
Why do the dogs enjoy it so much.
What makes it an enrichment activity.
The Price.

1. What Makes The Dog Gym Great.

The dog gym is an indoor interactive, fun day out for your dog.

the slatmill's are dog powered not mechanical, what this means is your dog only runs because they want too, for the enjoyment no force is involved if they don't move neither does the belt.

This means it is a safe and convenient way to exercise your dog no matter the weather outside. The gym is in the basement of our shop with its own separate entrance. because we are in the basement its cooler meaning its safe even in the summer and during heat waves.

Firepaw says this about the mill's;

“All Firepaw Treadmills are dog-specific, designed for the way a dog learns, thinks, and moves.They are exclusively mechanical. Your dog is not forced to run, it can stop anytime if it doesn’t want to run or there is a trauma. This is impossible with popular generic electric treadmills for dogs. In addition, the dog can achieve its maximum in speed, stamina and fulfill its full physical potential, all controlled by itself”

2. Why Do The Dogs Enjoy It So Much. Dog suggested walk lengths based on breed.

Dogs love to run, we know this, you know this, anyone with an escape artist knows this lets face it everyone knows this or they should at least.

Did you know when you go for a lead walk, even if you let your dog off the lead to run, they hold back. This is because when they run outside they have to watch their footing; a hole, an animals burrow, a clump of grass, a rock or even a branch. They all can have deadly consequences at high speeds. So your dog paces and restricts themselves by running slower so it can see obstacle's.

You only have to watch competitive horse and dog track races to see those consequences and that's on a flat level track not the local field.

Have you ever noticed your dog runs faster when they get zoomie's at home, than they do outside. Because the slatmill is a flat constant surface its like being at home, meaning your dog stops holding back and you both find out their full potential without the added danger of furniture. You can literally see the joy on their faces when they realise they don't have to hold back anymore.

As a rough example 15 minutes on a slatmill = 45 minutes outdoor trek this can be used to work out the length of appointment needed.

Recommended walk length times for a mix of breeds.

30 minutes.

Toy and hound types need a minimum of 30 minutes’ walk a day.

Frenchie’s- Shih tzu- Chihuahua- Pomeranian- Yorkshire terrier- British bulldog- Pug- Greyhound.

Brachycephalic breeds have a maximum walk time of one hour per day.

One hour.

Terriers need a minimum of a one hour walk a day. Cocker spaniel- Border terrier- Basset hound- Cavalier king Charles- Whippet- Dachshund- Xl bully- Chow chow.

One hour and thirty minutes.

Herding and sporting breeds need a minimum of one hour and thirty minutes’ walk a day. Rottweiler- Bernese mountain dog- Staffordshire bull terrier- Cockerpoo- American bulldog- British bulldog- Cane Corso.

Two hours upwards.

Border collie- Husky- German shepherd, Labrador- Golden retriever- Boxer- Dalmatian- Weimaraner- Springer spaniel- Belgian Malinois- Beagle- Rhodesian ridgeback- Irish setter.

3. What Makes It An Enrichment Activity, All They Are Doing Is Running After All.

This is a specialist interactive activity it is not supposed to replace your daily walk, this is supposed to be a doggy play session as an addition to your walks like a dog walker is.

We say a lot about the mills, but not so much about what happens behind the scenes.

What makes it an enrichment activity, well that's simple, Cheryl and Aiden due to their knowledge and skills with dogs they are exciting, as well as being new and fun.

WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT ON YOUR FIRST VISIT.

When your dog visits us for the first time, we spend 5-10 minutes introducing ourselves to your dog and letting them have a sniff around the salon, we show them where the treats are, then the toybox comes out and we find out what your dog prefers.

We have a variety in the salon including but not restricted to;

balls- boomer/ wiggle giggle/ bouncy balls and tennis balls.
teddies- various different textures and varying noises.
tuggers- rope/ teddies and parts for our flirt pole, some of the tug-e-nuff range
bite tuggers- for ones that live their lives being spicy.
agility equipment like jumps and a see saw.

Once we know what motivates your dog, be it toys, treats, human attention or even other dogs. Then its time to go on the mills, on the first few sessions we help them to figure out how to pace, so they don't get scared and go too fast too soon. We then play, give lots of over the top encouragement, and plenty of treats to make the session enjoyable. Cheryl then watches them very carefully to make sure they don't become distressed, overtired, are running too hard and for any signs of injury. They come off for breaks as and when needed due to energy levels and fitness.

Running on a slatmill isn’t just physical—it’s mental. Dogs must focus, coordinate their movements, and rhythm. This concentration provides mental enrichment similar to puzzle toys, but with the added benefit of exercise.

When they are finished after a cooldown aka running around the room sniffing, playing or slowing naturally on the mills, they get a massage "rub down" to reduce the chances of muscle soreness. They all love the rub downs and get all excited when we tell them its rub down time. Its a full body massage with rubber grooming gloves, meaning it not only benefits their muscles it does their skin good as well as removing any excess hair.

By the 3rd session most dogs know how the machines work and how to set their own pace, how to speed up and slow down or stop. That's when you will see the speed they can really do, and understand how much they held back before.

We also have a free drink station where owners can make themselves a hot drink.

Now for the important part the price.

When you book your first appointment, because not every dog likes the mills. We offer a money back guarantee for all dogs that refuse to move.

30 minute session.

This session is for 30 mins of exclusive use that's 25 minutes of pure playtime, and 5 minutes for cool down muscle rubs and clean up.
Appointment for 1 dog. £20.
Appointment for 2 dogs. £27.
Appointment for 3 dogs. £34
Appointment for 4 dogs. £41
pay for 5 sessions and get your 6th free.

This session is for first attempts, older dogs, weight loss and or muscle gain. We recommend trying this session first if your dog is not athletic.

1 hour session

This sessions is for 1 hour of exclusive use that's 50 minutes of pure playtime, and 10 minutes for cool down muscle rubs and clean up.
Appointment for 1 dog. £35
Appointment for 2 dogs. £40
Appointment for 3 dogs. £45
Appointment for 4 dogs. £50
pay for 5 sessions and get your 6th free.

This session is for fit dogs, working breeds, dogs that do flyball, canicross or agility.

Xl bullies can have their muzzle off the whole time they are in the gym due to it being a staff led play session. Other dogs from the same household only, can be booked in at the same time. Photographic proof of exemption is required for our records.

To book; https://book.heygoldie.com/Fluffball-Dog-Grooming-And-Pet-Supplies