Treadmills are great for dogs who require a lot of exercise. We have acreage and our dogs get more exercise than most, but there are times when a treadmill is useful...too hot,ice or snow storms, lightning, etc. (We have a friend who lost their dog last year that go hit by lightning) You may have had recent surgery. The list goes on and on. Many commented that a lazy owner purchases a treadmill. Wrong! Many pet owners opt for dogs that do not require a lot of excersise and that is there choice. Are they lazy? If you have an active dog such as herders that need daily and frequent exercise than a treadmill is ideal for times when it is impossible to get their outdoor runs.