Dog Walkers - Which Brand??
 

Am looking to purchase a walking machine and am just after some feedback on which brand of Dog Walker is peoples choice and why?

Val Ward Walkers

Heath Hill Walkers

Somerset Walkers

Thanks in advance

g4l

Can someone please give me a bit of feedback :confused:

g4l

Sorry for taking a long time to get back to you with an answer.

All those machines that you have listed will do the job satisfactory.
Why because they all will exersise your dog.
Now then, I would choose the one I could afford.

coops

Val and Somerset both top to deal with. Val ward about $500 cheaper for a 3 dogger than HH

Why would you want to buy one anyway. You can make your own and call it "LEGS" and it's real cheap. I'm a cripple and I use them every day to walk my dogs.

coops

Plenty of reasons not to walk them too Coops IMO

Ive got 12 dogs and can walk all of them at once on my walking machine.
So my option between walking machine or legs:

Legs: Can only handle 2 at a time
Walk for 1hr (im not a fast walker) which means id have to go out 6 times, which is 6hrs that can be better spent
Risk them walking on glass that i may not see, bindies or have other dogs come after them.

Walking Machine: Can walk 12 at a time
Speed set to go same distance as i would walk but in 30mins
At home so no stray animals, on a safe surface and whilst theyre walking i can spend that 30mins getting their kennels cleaned up, beds refreshed, clean up empty yards and get their breakfast ready all while watching them on the machine.

They dont seem to complain as its like a social event for them. They think its great. Kamikaze Spirit even has a talk all the way around to the others. Theyre speed is maintained, they arent sniffing and licking around the neighbourhood which this cant be helped sometimes as the buggers are strong.

No reason for me not to like a walking machine. Day before a race the go for a normal yet smaller walk out bush to get into their natural environment and spot some stir ups.

But Jaime, I have seen your walking machine and it is no ordianary walking machine.

I would like a walking machine like yours, then when I have all the dogs on it I can put a bunny on it too. Now would that be intresting?

coops

Well coops it's like this, after 3x operations on my right knee and 1x operation on my left knee after 30 minutes or so of continuous walking they become extremely sore and unbearable.
I presently walk them for 1 hour each day which we enjoy, but the days that my knees aren't feeling the best I intend on giving them a hit out on the walking machine instead.
It's a win win situation for the dogs and myself in this situation.

Regards

g4l

Have looked into both these walkers, thanks Chook and am looking at the Heath Hills at present.
It is more and more looking like they are much of a muchness and could toss a coin at which one to buy.

Cheers for your reply

g4l

The only real difference is the price.
Depending on how many you got maybe look into a rotary like mine, for someone in your situation would be much easier to get them used to it.

I had a 2 dog Val Ward and my dogs sh!t themselves when the ground was taken out from under them and i am simply not strong enough to hold them. The rotary no problems. For my 8 month old pup (now 12 months) i did a trick like coops as listed, i put a rag on the arm in front of her so she walked to get the rag while a dog was next to her. She hasnt been a problem.

Such a smart invention.

Chook

I haven't got the room at my place for a rotary at present which is why I am looking at a walking machine, hopefully can update to a bigger block in the future then definately install a rotary walker.

Have pretty much narrowed it down to either a Val Ward or Heath Hill walker, but all prices and warranties are very similar.

Thanks again

g4l

Thats a bugger. We live in suburbia and it fits well in our backyard along with 2 pup yards, and 3 empty yards all good sizes.

Altho i think i become a miracle worker with that lol.

Ours is about 6m in diameter

I agree that walking machines are a necessary requirement, not many people are able to walk their dogs on the road.

Same with me, I am strong and can walk 4 at a time on the road if I had wanted, but because I live in an area not suitable for walking dogs (too many farm dogs about, rocky ground full of broken glass (from the local hoons drunken walk homes lol) plus when it rains the surface becomes very dangerous, as my area is predominantly clay, very slippery!) I just free gallop my dogs daily in my straight runs. When it's raining heavily or dogs have an injury that means they are not allowed to gallop, I put them on the walking machine for 15-20mins.

Hope you find the right walking machine that suits your dogs.. I do agree thought that a rubber belt is better than slats... slats can break more easily than rubber plus dogs seem to feel more comfortable on rubber.

Well if my Lilly says it's ok to have a walking machine then I will get one myself.

I will construct a rotary one like Jaime's today and having it working by this afternoon. I will make it 20mtr dia so the dogs can run if they like. I could possibly use the round yard that I use for the orses to set it up in. It's 20 mtrs in Dia. Will deciede in 30 minutes what to do.
I think my Lilly will be proud of me.

coops

:p:p:D

Ok the fellow forum members, I have just gave it a little brain thought about how I am going to construct my very own home made rotary walking thingie.
Now by utilizing the orses round yard, I will concrete in the centre of the orses round yard a holden station wagon rear diff housing and axle. Standing on it's end I will then weld 4 box trailer spring hangers to the axle hub. I then will drill a hole in the end of 4 lengths of 25mm gal pipe and bolt them to the spring hangers. (The reason for the spring hangers is so that when I use the round yard for the orses, I can lift and fold the lengths of pipe up in air out of the way.) I will then slip a 100mm piece of larger pipe over the 25mm pipe so it can act like a roller. This will enable the rotation over the top of the timber fencing of the round yard. Then I will weld a ring at the other end of the pipe so I can hook the dogs on.

Now how cool does that sound fellow forum members?

That should impress beautiful Lilly.

coops

Oh I forgot one crucial thing.
I need 3 more dogs.

coops

lol well just for that I may send you 3 of my fastest champs ;-) points for trying to impress me!!!

A piece of engineering brilliance if I've ever heard one mate!! Are you able to post some pics of this masterpiece when its finished this arvo??:p:p:D

Gippy mate I can make anything with my hands, but knowing how to work a camera and posting the picture on here, well mate I wouldn't have a clue how to do that. But I will try.

I'm so happy that my Lilly is impressed. Excitment only equalled by winning the Lottery.

coops

Well felow forum members I blew it.
Idea was perfect but materials were to heavy and the thing will not turn unless I pushed it with the tractor.
Well, It's back to the drawing board.

Sorry Lilly my love, I will do better next time. XXXX

coops

Theyre cheap to buy in comparison to the normal walkers. Mine $2,500 can walk up to 12 dogs comfortably, could walk more if needed. From 0-8km/hr, every notch = 375m/hr so can go from a crawl to the 8km pace.

Mate just bought a new 3 dogger cost $3,700. Stuff that i say. I like my ''over sized washing line'' as i use it to dry bedding too lol.