Let your pooch do the walking

Maybe your dog is getting a little chubby from eating all those treats, or Colorado's fickle weather - too hot, too cold, too snowy, too stormy - makes it difficult to get him out for his exercise.

Whatever the cause, DogTred may be the solution. It's a little doggie treadmill especially sized for the canine physique. Krista Wickens, head of Utahbased PetZen, which developed the product, says DogTred is not for lazy humans. While you don't actually get on the treadmill with him, you can't just tie him to the equipment and go about your business. There is a training process, in which you guide him with a leash and interact with the dog, offering bait to get him going. And for safety's sake, you always have to be present while the dog takes his stroll.

DogTred has a manual control console shaped like a bone, and is adjustable in half-mile increments up to 5 mph. There's also an incline adjustment.

DogTred tilts for easy storage.

The model available now costs $499 and is good only for dogs up to 30 pounds. But the company is taking preorders for larger treadmills, which should be available in October. There will be a medium-size model for dogs up to 65 pounds ($699), and a large size for dogs 65 to 100 pounds (price not yet set).

For information and to order: petzenproducts.com.

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You know you want it. But do you know where to get it? This column aims to help. Watch this space weekly for information on all things timely, trendy, useful or unusual. To comment on ‘Gotta Have It,' contact Barbara Cotter at barb.cotter@gazette.com; 636-0194.