Treadmill and Illegal Training of a Pit Bull Terrier?

Janine: Is the use of a treadmill considered as illegal training of a Pit Bull?
My brother has bought a treadmill to exercise his elderly German Shepherd dogs. He invited me to use it for my 5-month-old Pit Bull puppy too, but we were told by the seller that it was illegal to walk a Pit Bull on a treadmill because it was considered "training" the dog for fighting!

Is that true? I live in CA. It seems outrageously insane to me that exercising my dog could be considered training him for fighting and that there is actually a law prohibiting it!

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Answers and Views:

Answer by gablondiechick
I have 2 Pit Bulls and that sounds ridiculous to me also… They have competitions for pits to show their strength and one book shows one pulling a small truck… so how is that any different?

Answer by Tati L
It actually is considered training them to fight. If you ever watch animal planet and if you have ever seen animal precinct then you might have noticed this: when the animal police officers break up an illegal dogfighting ring (which always involves pit bulls) there is a treadmill that they use to train the dogs on. That's why the guy said that. I don't know about the law pertaining to that, but that's just what someone would assume in regards to a pitt bull.

Answer by Lizmary
That's absolutely 100% wrong.

You'll find that a lot of responsible, intelligent American Pit Bull Terrier owners use treadmills to exercise their dogs. They're especially useful if it's raining or snowing outside and you aren't able to walk the dog… it's even a great tool to use to keep your APBT fit if he does agility, weight pulling, etc.

So, basically, he made you think that it's just dandy for EVERY OTHER breed of dog… but not APBTs? That's a load of crap. ANY breed of dog can be trained to fight.

ILLEGAL? NO.

Tell that man to mind his own business and stop making such ridiculous assumptions.

Regardless, it wouldn't be a good idea for a puppy to be put on a treadmill. Too much exercise (such as walking for long distances) can stunt a puppy's growth and develop other bone-related problems as the puppy ages.

Answer by Vince M
IF a treadmill was found, along with other dog fighting paraphernalia, especially if the treadmill was found adjacent to a kennel area, instead of the house, then the police might use the presence of the treadmill as evidence that it was used to train the dogs for the illegal activity.

Otherwise, how would the police know that the treadmill was used for this purpose? It would be like saying that you can't own a treadmill if you also own a dog. Sounds like the guy selling it had some guilty conscious thing going on.

Answer by jerri_k02
Tell the guy to mind his own business. What is the difference where your dog is walking? Either a treadmill or around the block. I think it is actually a good idea cause then your puppy can still get the excise it needs when you don't feel like taking a walk or it is raining out.
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