Regular gym-goers, input is requested (re: service dog)

[SpringerLover]

There is a service dog at the gym I go to. I've only seen the dog near the elliptical machines and he lays in front of one on the end.

[Dogdragoness]

Oh yeah I love elipticals! they are a good alternative to people who have issues with treadmills ... also i like the excersise bikes too, then i can watch TV lol

[Saeleofu]

also for the 'dismount' I always stap to the side, so you are straddling the moving belt, after I slow it to a walk pace ... but that in itself is hard because i have to concentrate on which buttons to push to stop the stupid thing LOL

I set it to stop on its own after 30 miutes, so stopping on its own isn't that bad. It's the unstable/disoriented feeling after I'm stopped that's the issue. The controls are actually really easy and in a great position.

The handles DO help to get myself oriented while I'm starting and stopping, but I don't hold them while I run (aside from checking my heart rate, which takes just a few seconds). I do bump the side rails on occasion.

When I start, I do start out walking because I'm doing C25K. I can easily increase the warmup walk from 5 minutes to 10 minutes though and see if that helps.

Logan's feeling a bit off today, so I'm not taking him tonight. I'll try the ellipticals, though, and see if I get the same disoriented feeling from them. If not those would be good for days he can't come with me.

There is a service dog at the gym I go to. I've only seen the dog near the elliptical machines and he lays in front of one on the end.

Thank you! Knowing it's been done before does help my confidence a lot


Thank you everyone for the suggestions!

[noludoru]

I have no input on where he should sit, but isn't this situation the point of having a service animal? Logan is there to help you when you need him, and you have been working with him for YEARS to train him to be a SD. After putting in all the effort, I think you should reap the benefits.

If you need him, he should be there. There's no reason to fall over when it could easily be solved by bringing him with you. If someone has a problem with it, that's their problem - you should be granted access to a gym with a SD. You have nothing to be ashamed of or guilty over.

((hugs))

[Saeleofu]

Originally Posted by noludoru

I have no input on where he should sit, but isn't this situation the point of having a service animal? Logan is there to help you when you need him, and you have been working with him for YEARS to train him to be a SD. After putting in all the effort, I think you should reap the benefits.

If you need him, he should be there. There's no reason to fall over when it could easily be solved by bringing him with you. If someone has a problem with it, that's their problem - you should be granted access to a gym with a SD. You have nothing to be ashamed of or guilty over.

((hugs))

Thanks, I needed that. I'm still a newbie at this handling business (which really is COMPLETELY different from training!). You're absolutely right

[Saeleofu]

Originally Posted by yv0nne

Holding onto the handles of the treadmill reallllly decreases any benefit you get from the treadmill! Basically, if you're holding onto the rails, you're supporting your upper half on the treadmill& you've just decreased calorie expenditure by 50%.

Start slowly. I run marathons& when I move to a treadmill, I need to walk at a slow pace for about 10 minutes. Then get off. Then I can get back on& jog for 15- 20 minutes. Then I have to be done for the day. Repeat until the dizzy feeling stops. After about 3 times doing this, I'm fine& can run forever on it. But slow is key!

Also, top 10 reasons not to hold on: http://voices.yahoo.com/10-reasons-n...ll-383744.html

I read this:

5. It Un-teaches your body how to balance. Your balance will become worse if you hold on.

Uh, yeah, that's the LAST thing I need! I have crappy balance as it is, and I've worked hard to improve it to the point it's at now, I DO NOT need to lose it.

[Saeleofu]

I did the elliptical today, and it went much more smoothly. I'm able to watch TV while on that machine (though nothing good was on, so I stuck to my Chameleon Circuit music), and when I was done I was only a tiny bit wobbly.

But I didn't feel like I got as much of a workout on the elliptical. The numbers on the machine said I got MORE of a workout, but it just didn't seem like it. Supposedly I burned more calories, went a farther distance, and kept my heart rate well into my target zone instead of shooting it up and dropping it back down repeatedly.

I took a shower there today too, mostly to gauge whether it would be possible to take a shower while I have Logan. I concluded that showering there is unlikely with Logan unless I make him sit in a corner and get wet, which would make him incredibly sad lol. Plus the showers are pretty tiny, so not sure he'd even fit. That's not a big deal, though, I have a shower at home.

[Dogdragoness]

Originally Posted by Saeleofu

Thanks, I needed that. I'm still a newbie at this handling business (which really is COMPLETELY different from training!). You're absolutely right

I saw your blog, Logan is wonderful! I have Always loved collies, they are near the top of my "dogs to own" list .

Tell us how it goes.

[Saeleofu]

Originally Posted by Dogdragoness

I saw your blog, Logan is wonderful! I have Always loved collies, they are near the top of my "dogs to own" list .

Tell us how it goes.

Thanks Collies are definitely awesome dogs

So, I took Logan to the gym for the first time today. He did very, very well. He didn't react to the machines at all except for some initial mild curiosity. He acted like an old pro I tried out the elliptical and the treadmill, as those are the two primary machines I use. I wanted to make sure he was fine with both, and with not just walking but running on the treadmill. And of course, he was fine with everything. The one thing is that the leash is a tad bit too short when I clip it around my waist at the elliptical. He couldn't lay flat out and had to keep his head raised, but he was a trooper about it. At the treadmill he was able to relax better since it's lower to the ground.

Nobody said anything, everyone was very respectful, and everything just went really, REALLY well

I'm still contemplating how to take a shower there when I have him with me, if it's possible. I'm considering everything from a pop-up sport crate to put just outside the shower, to a poncho/duct tape contraption to keep him dry inside the shower For now it doesn't matter, but we don't have hot water at home in the summer, so I'd REALLY like to take showers there in the summer. HUGE motivation to work out lol.

[noludoru]

Originally Posted by Saeleofu

Thanks, I needed that. I'm still a newbie at this handling business (which really is COMPLETELY different from training!). You're absolutely right

I didn't mean it in a harsh way. . . more supportive? Just that if anyone is making you feel like crap over this they need to be kicked in the shins.

I'm so glad everything went well! I would try a pop-up crate, personally. Just a cheapie. You should be able to leave him in a stay with a vest on, and I'm sure he would be fine, but you can't count on people not to freak out.