With temperatures in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) breaking the 40 degree barrier every summer, a daily walk to dogs and their owners is simply out of the question.
The sweaty situation inspired Posh Pets of Abu Dhabi, a boutique and spa for pampered dogs and other animals, to launch a dog-only gym. With specially designed treadmills, the gym allows the UAE’s stray dog crowd to exercise in a comfortable, air-conditioned space.
“The idea was to provide a healthy gym for all types of dogs,” Posh Pets owner Mansour Al-Hammadi told Reuters, adding that he struggled in the summer to find a suitable place where he could exercise his own dog.
Reuters stopped by the gym this week to snap some pictures (below) of several four-legged visitors as they strutted around on the treadmills.
Welcome to the UAE’s first indoor gym for dogs pic.twitter.com/XdDf76xl7F
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 26, 2022
The treadmill is actually mechanical rather than automated and therefore runs at whatever speed the dog wants to move, be it slow or fast. Pets are placed in harnesses to ensure their safety and prevent them from sneaking off if their nose picks up an interesting scent.
To ensure that the dog’s muscles safely adjust to this fairly specific type of exercise, each pet begins with sessions of up to 15 minutes, extending t0 up to 30 minutes after multiple visits.
And traditional dog-walking activities aren’t out of the question either, either. what other video shows dog owners throwing a ball for their dog to catch while the pet uses the treadmill.
According to some of the dog owners who visit Posh Pets, the gym is popular with their furry friends.
“My friends told me about this very nice place where my dog can have this nice activity without getting sunburned or having any distractions, just a place especially for dogs,” said one. “He can run, even jog, even walk, on the treadmill.”
Another commented: “The dog gets very excited the moment he gets out of the car. He recognizes the place and starts to go towards it, he feels comfortable here».
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