Using a running machine for dogs??? bit long sorry.

[Vindaloo]

Before I get shouted at for being too lazy to walk my dogs, i'll give you the background.

I have recently moved to Jaipur, India and will be here for at least the next two years. Despite being told by 'OH' you MUST NOT rescue any strays I just couldn't help myself. The first was a starving street dog approx 9-12 months old who was emaciated and full of parasites, utterly terrified of anyone and everything. Managed to coax her into trusting me and is now a happy house dog, loving the sofa and the finer things in life. The second is the newest addition, my yard owner rescued a street dog who lives at the yard (ring fenced by a 7ft high wall) she jumped out, had fun with a local mutt and then gave birth to 6 puppies (no one knew she had done this until it was obvious she was in the family way) soooo, I took one in. At least there are two less dogs who will add to the appalling stray dog population out here now.

To the point, I have a decent sized garden and yard BUT it is not the same as exercising on the lead, out in parks etc. Here in lies the problem. You cannot take any dog to any park (never mind that the strays are everywhere). There are no pavements anywhere here or any wild areas any more. When out on a walk, you are attacked by packs of feral dogs, have to fight for space on the roads with tuk tuks, cars, camels, elephants, motorcycles oh you name it, they are all here in abundance. The locals scratch their heads in confusion when they see our little procession. Some are downright hostile would you believe. Apparently I shouldn't have touched the street dog, let alone take it to my home. I could catch rabies, Aids (I joke but only just), all sorts...... the ignorance is breathtaking and terribly disheartening.

We do our best here but then add in the sometimes 49 degree heat and you can imagine how hard it is to keep a healthy dog fit.

I've seen people using running machines (admittedly on Cesar Milans programmes) to at least take a little of the energy levels down a bit and wondered if anyone had any advice they could offer in introducing my dogs to the idea. No need to point out that they should never be left unobserved or anything like that. I am simply trying to do the best for them within the limitations of a not terribly dog friendly environment.

I will persevere with walking on the lead BUT it is damn dangerous and being faced with a snarling pack of dogs hell bent on taking out your pooch is not fun.

My god, I soooo took for granted all those lovely woodland/farmland/local park walks back home :-(

Thanks in advance.

 

[kirstyl]

Oh my goodness! Sounds a different world. I would have found it hard not to take in a few waifs and strays too. I haven't ever used a running machine with my dog but a friend of my parents has one that they use most days for their Staffie. I've seen a video of him on it and he is flying along looking a happy boy! It is only powered by the dog - lots of rollers together. Hope this helps. I'll appreciate our walk in the woods this am even more now! x

 

[Llewellyn]

Unfortunately I can't help with the running machine apart from having seen them too
But out of. Curiosity what are the quarentine regulations with dogs coming home from India? Hope they don't but suspect they will be quarenteened for ages.

 

[Vindaloo]

I too have a horrid feeling that it will be the 6 month stint for them. It's something of course I have to look into nearer the time. No matter what though, they will be with me for life and I look at it like this, if I hadn't taken them in, they would have had a life full of hardship, pain and multiple pregnancies. I know I can't ever explain that to them but feel 6 months of qurantine is worth it for a life of living in a safe, loving home.

I hope they forgive me when the time comes. In a way, it was that reason which made up my mind to take a second stray. At least they will be able to kennel together which hopefully will give them some comfort.

I can't tell you some of the terrible sights I see every day out here. Breaks your damn heart. Not just dogs of course, the horses, donkeys, camels.... I have been in touch with the only charity out here and have offered to donate as much time as possible in helping them but I have to learn Hindi quick smart. Three lessons a week at the mo and er... well it's coming on but slowly, slowly.

 

[Vindaloo]

Thanks for the reply. Self powered is a good idea, will get on Ebay and see what I can find.

Enjoy the woods. x

 

[Woodrock]

Wow nluck, good on you for rescuing your dogs. They are incredibly lucky to have found you. Hope you dont mind me suggesting that you find out sooner rather than later the rules and regs for taking dogs back to the UK. We took our dog to NZ when we emigrated and you would not believe the amount of tests we had to have done. I dont mean to worry you but some countries will refuse entry to animals if they test positive to certain diseases. NZ & Aus are notoriously stringent, but on a positive note I know the UK are much less stringent as in many cases the UK lacks the carrier vector for lots of tropical diseases. I can also highly recommend a pet transport company if needed!
Sorry cant help with the running machine query!

 

[Vindaloo]

Thanks for the advice. I'll def look into it. My vet has assured me that all the vaccinations I have had done are right for the UK but I would be mad to take his word alone on that. Job to do for today me thinks. Beats cleaning the bathrooms which I have been doing this morning :-(

Please go ahead and recommend the pet carrier. It won't hurt to have their details to hand even if we are a long way from coming home any time soon.

Many thanks. x

 

[Woodrock]

Hope I dont get into trouble for advertising but the pet carrier we used were called Golden Arrow and they were utterly fantastic. Our dog is not the easiest and we could not fault them. We found out about them on an emigration website and all the similar websites seem to rate them highly!! We arrived in NZ looking rough & stressed, however our normally highly stressfu,l bouncy collieX looked very relaxed and well rested! He did do the longest pee on record when let out his luxury travel crate though!

 

[s4sugar]

Pet passports aren't valid from India so it would be quarantine or a stay over in the EU for six months instead.
Renee is the person to contact - http://www.ledogstop.com/pages/quarantine.html

Treadmills can be fine -I've used them for show conditioning during icy periods where it was unsafe to pound the pavements. Do combine it with ball play & bouncing in your yard.

 

[Vindaloo]

Thanks s4sugar. Had thought of the EU stay but didn't know any details (think I saw a thread about it on here years ago in fact). I think that would be the most humane route, i'll make up my mind nearer the time. We're here two years minimum so I've got a fair bit of time to do the research.

I'll still be playing in the yard with them and will keep on with the walks as much as I can if for no other reason than socialisation. I just have to be extremely careful and go armed with a big walking stick and never go alone. Apart from anything else it's not all that safe for women to be out without a man in tow. You just open yourself up to all sorts of hassle!

I guess that when I get the treadmill home it will be a case of getting them comfortable just getting on the thing for a while before even thinking about turning it on (presuming I go for an electric one). Did yours take to it easily? I have visions of Pepper turning herself pretty much inside out the first time it moves. She's understandably not very brave and new things have to be introduced oh so slowly. Do yours enjoy the experience?

Oh I hope this works. I hate not being able to give them a good old run out and about.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Well done you! Yes, treadmills are fine, lots of GSD people use them, as S4S says, for conditioning, fitness and we use them to allow them to extend to their full, ground covering gait, sometimes short stubby people can't run fast enough to encourage them to lengthen out and you soon run out of path/road
The Iolanda kennel sold treadmills for years.


What type or approx breed is she? As long as she is 12 months I don't think it should be a huge problem.

I understand your concern, my BIL lived out there for two years and his Bassett was constantly attacked by street dogs or other ex-pat's dogs being walked. He left his dog there with his trainer as they got very attached and he had to give orders in an Indian accent so can't help with bringing him back.

 

[Vindaloo]

Hmm, breed is an absolute mixture of pretty much everything I should think. She is 16 kilos, built a bit like a whippet only heavier. Looks slightly like a Jack russell with long legs and is black and white. If I knew how to go about posting a picture, I would do that. She is never going to win any beauty competitions bless her. The puppy 'Bumble' however is beyond cute. No doubt though will turn out to look like every other mutt out here. She is currently curled up in the crook of my leg fast asleep.

Pepper must be 12 months or just about there. I am sure it will take a little while to organise a treadmill in any case so think by th etime I get it home she will be fine to use it.

Had to laugh at the short stubby legged comment. That's me!

 

[Tinkerbee]

Are there no parks you can get to which are safe? I never walked our dog in Sri Lanka on the streets, as you say, far too much chance of being mauled or run over by threewheelers! I used to just spend time throwing the ball about for her, but we were lucky to have quite a large plot of land, and did on occasion attach the poor critter to the kids roundabout and haver her chase things...kept her amused!

However we could drive to parks which were gated and only people with dogs on leads were allowed, but it sounds like you don't have anything like that.

Don't have any advice about bringing the dog back, we left ours with the gardener when we left. I know what you mean about the sights, I was constantly wanting to rescue the dogs/cats/horses I saw!

Good luck!