Pups are getting their pump on in a mobile California gym brought right to their front yard.
FITPUP is a mobile dog gym where pups in Orange County can run on a treadmill fixated inside an air-conditioned space as a way to get their exercise in and let their energy out. Billy Dabas, a canine fitness coach at FITPUP, said he drives to people's homes and lets their dog run for about 30 minutes in the mobile gym before bringing them back to the house.
What's a dog gym?
You guessed it: It's pretty much like a gym—but for dogs.
There are custom treadmills that are completely self-propelled, allowing pups to run as fast or as slow as they want. Dabas said pups have run as fast as 22 mph, clocking several miles in just one visit.
This gym isn't necessarily for the dog's
physique. Dabas said there aren't a lot of dog parks and places to run off leash in the area. Even if there were, it's too hot during peak summer heat anyway. Dabas said Orange County was in the middle of a heat wave in mid-August, so dog owners couldn't provide enough exercise safely for their pets.
This isn't just because of the area, either: Dabas said the mobile dog gym option is helpful for people who are unable to walk their dogs.
"I wanted to give people an outlet to exercise their dogs. That was especially important for reactive dogs and people who can't take their dogs to dog parks. Maybe they're afraid of dog parks, or maybe their dogs are afraid of them. Maybe they're disabled and can't take their dogs somewhere to exercise," Dabas said.
The goal is for the pup to exert energy, ultimately making them more calm, relaxed and settled. This is especially important for reactive dogs that can't be around other dogs and working dogs that are bred to have a job, like German shepherds, Dobermans, pit bulls, Belgian Malinois, and Australian shepherds.
Dabas said if you don't exercise those breeds, they're going to be destructive and unfulfilled.
"[Working dogs] have a job to do, and doing that job is how they achieve fulfillment. It works their minds and their brains. Giving them an outlet where they can release energy and get mental and physical exercise really helps them," said Dabas.
The idea for a doggie gym actually came from a dream. About six years ago, Dabas was getting an associate's degree at a community college in California and was writing a paper on pets. During that time, he had a dream about dogs running on treadmills. Dabas was going to school for a business degree, and after his professor graded his paper, they suggested he turn this idea into a reality.
Dabas said the dream came after he learned how many adopted dogs around the holidays get returned to the shelters months later with one of the main reasons being the lack of exercise. Dabas said some of the dogs weren't adjusting well to their new homes, since the lack of activity led to destructive behavior.
Eventually, FITPUP was born. While Dabas was wrapping up his degree, he was buying a Sprinter-type van and equipment. Now, Southern Californians can see his teal, blue and bright orange van with "Dog Gym on the Go" logos driving down the highway. Dogs can see it too, as those colors stand out more to canines.
How does a dog gym work?
"What I do have is what I feel is a special connection with dogs. It's true of every dog I come across. I'm able to channel my emotions and energy to them and help them feel comfortable doing something stressful or difficult, especially the first time [on the treadmill]," Dabas said.
About once a week, Dabas picks up a pup, they grab a toy and then they're connected to a harness on a treadmill. The dog starts running and is on the treadmill for about 30 minutes. Dabas usually runs a dog once a week, but working dogs can benefit from two or three weekly sessions.
While treadmills aren't exactly natural to dogs, they learn to love it.
Dabas said a dog's first time on the treadmill can be stressful, but once they start, they actually enjoy running on it. Since it can be difficult to start, Dabas said the first session is free, then it's $65 per visit.
Right now, Dabas' business is still in a van, since he is gearing it toward reactive dogs that need their own space, but he is looking into opening up a brick-and-mortar gym for dogs as well. This gym would allow him to work with more social dogs at a lower price, since he wouldn't have to travel to homes.
FITPUP is only in Orange County, but Dabas said people can look for a similar service across the country, as it's starting to get more popular.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A dog gym? This California business helps reactive dogs burn energy
