FAQs
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

A mobile dog gym is a climate-controlled fitness van equipped with safe, dog-powered slatmills — a non-motorised treadmill powered by your dog’s own movement. As they walk, trot, or run, the slats create natural resistance, helping build strength, balance, coordination, and stamina. It’s a safe, mentally engaging outlet for physical energy, especially for high-drive dogs or breeds that need more structured activity than a standard walk can offer. Because the slatmill isn’t motorised, your dog is always in control of their pace, making it a confidence-building and rewarding experience.

A dog gym session is not intended to replace regular walks, except in specific cases such as extreme weather or when a dog cannot manage normal walks due to health or mobility reasons. Instead, it works alongside their usual exercise routine — just like going to the gym complements going for a walk. A walk is great for exploration, enrichment, and casual movement; the slatmill is more like strength and conditioning training. Both are beneficial, but they serve different purposes.

With patient handling, positive reinforcement, and equipment matched to your dog’s size, a slatmill workout can help reduce boredom and behavioural issues, build muscle, focus and body awareness, and improve overall fitness and wellbeing — making it a valuable investment in your dog’s long-term health and happiness.

We bring it right to your home, so your dog can get a safe, fun workout without leaving the driveway.

Absolutely! Our state of the art equipment is designed specially for canine fitness. We have slatmills and harnesses to suit breeds of all sizes. 

Because the slatmills aren't motorised, your dog is always in control of their pace, making it a confidence-building and rewarding experience.

All sessions are supervised, and workouts are tailored to your dog’s breed, age, and fitness level. We start slow, monitor closely, and make sure every dog feels comfortable.

Almost all dogs can benefit from slatmill sessions! They’re a safe and controlled way to improve your dog’s fitness, strength, stamina, and overall wellbeing while keeping them mentally stimulated and physically active.

Slatmills can be great for:

  • High-energy breeds – Working dogs and active breeds like German Shepherds, Collies, Malinois, Huskies, and Pointers thrive with extra exercise.

  • Family pets – Even calmer dogs benefit from regular, structured activity to stay healthy and happy.

  • Puppies from 4 months+ – Gentle, age-appropriate sessions can help young dogs burn energy and build coordination.

  • Senior dogs – Controlled, low-impact exercise can help maintain mobility and fitness.

  • Overweight dogs – Regular sessions can support healthy weight management alongside a balanced diet.

  • Reactive or nervous dogs – The calm, distraction-free environment is perfect for dogs who struggle in busy public spaces.

  • Dogs in training or sports – Ideal for building stamina, confidence, and conditioning for agility, obedience, or working roles.

If your dog has any health concerns, injuries, or ongoing medical conditions, we recommend checking with your vet before booking. 🐾

No problem! We’ll guide your dog step-by-step, using positive reinforcement to make the experience fun and stress-free.

Absolutely! Our slatmill sessions are private 1 to 1 sessions, with multiple dogs running together only if they are from the same household, or are pre-approved friends/neighbours.

If your dog is reactive towards humans, please get in touch so we can discuss their needs. A muzzle may be necessary at least to begin with.

Our hours are 9am - 5pm, Monday to Saturday. 

We serve Stourbridge and the surrounding areas, including Brierley Hill, Quarry Bank, Cradley Heath, Halesowen, Kingswinford, Lye, Pedmore, Hagley, Wollaston, Wordley, Pensnett and Wall Heath. If you are unsure whether we serve your area, feel free to get in touch, and we can confirm whether we can accommodate!

All sessions are approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on the dog's ability and fitness levels.

We recommend joining your dog’s first trial session so everyone can meet and your dog feels comfortable in the new environment. After that, you’re welcome to hand off at the door or van.

We are also fully insured and once everyone is comfortable, we can collect and return your dog for their sessions if you won’t be home. Please let us know what works best for you.

You can book online through our website here, or by calling us on 01384 929 119.

Before your dog’s run, here are a few things to keep in mind to help us make the most of their session:

  • Feeding – Please avoid feeding your dog within 2 hours of their appointment to keep them comfortable during exercise.

  • Toilet Break – A quick potty break beforehand is recommended.

  • Harness – If you have a preferred harness, feel free to use it; otherwise, we’ll provide one for safety and comfort.

  • Be Ready – Make sure your dog is ready to go when we arrive so we can maximize their session time.

  • Parking – Please ensure there’s a suitable space for our van nearby, if possible.

  • Scheduling & Delays – We’ll always aim to arrive on time, but please allow a little flexibility in case of traffic or unexpected changes in our schedule.

At Fast and Furry-us, our top priorities are your dog’s safety, comfort, and enjoyment. Every session is tailored to your dog’s individual needs, ensuring they get the best possible workout for that day — whether that’s a gentle walk, a steady trot, or a faster run.

Because our slatmills are non-motorised, your dog sets their own pace — nothing is ever forced. We’re there to guide, encourage, and supervise, using positive reinforcement like praise, toys, enthusiasm, and plenty of affection to keep them motivated. We typically avoid using treats, as many dogs can benefit from our help with weight management, and some may have dietary restrictions.

We’ll provide rest breaks and water as needed, always keeping a close eye on your dog’s wellbeing throughout the session. You’re welcome to stay, watch, and cheer your dog on — it’s a lot of fun! Or, if you prefer, you can leave us to work with your dog while you relax or tick off other tasks.

Our goal is simple: to make every session safe, positive, and enjoyable — for both you and your dog. 🐾

Don’t be surprised if your dog turns into a little “floor pancake” after their session! It’s completely normal for them to want to flop down, pant, and cool off after a good workout. Just make sure to give them a bit of time to recover and let their heart rate settle before offering food or treats.

Some dogs react differently and get a sudden burst of energy straight after their run — that’s normal too! Their endorphins and adrenaline are flowing, and once they’ve had a chance to relax, they’ll soon settle down.

If your dog is older, unconditioned, or new to this kind of exercise, a gentle hind-leg massage can help release any tension and reduce post-workout stiffness — most dogs love the extra fuss!

When you’re ready to book their next session, you can arrange it online here. And if you have any feedback or questions, we’re always happy to chat. 🐾

For most dogs, 1 to 2 sessions per week is ideal for most dogs. This gives them a great balance of exercise, recovery, and overall wellbeing.

High-energy and working breeds may enjoy more frequent workouts, while lower-energy or senior dogs might prefer fewer, gentler sessions. Puppies from 4 months and up can also benefit from short, age-appropriate runs to help build confidence and stamina.

Every dog is different, so we’ll tailor each session to suit their individual needs — making sure they get the right level of exercise without overdoing it. 🐾

Most dogs learn to balance and move on our equipment within about 5 minutes to a couple of sessions, depending on their confidence and coordination. Because our treadmills are non-motorized, dogs set their own pace - speeding up or slowing down naturally. Every session is closely supervised, and we take our time to make sure each dog has a safe and positive experience. Please let us know about any habits or specific needs your dog has so we can adjust the training to suit them.

Every dog is different! Some take to it straight away, while others need a few sessions to build confidence with the equipment. One of the great benefits of our slatmills is that dogs don’t need to sprint to get a solid workout. Even at a steady pace, they’re engaging their mind, balance, core, and leg muscles while staying focused throughout the session. Our golden rule: the dog sets the pace.

We recommend joining your dog’s first trial session so everyone can meet and your dog feels comfortable in the new environment. After that, you’re welcome to hand off at the door or van. We are also fully insured and once everyone is comfortable, we can collect and return your dog for their sessions if you won’t be home. Please let us know what works best for you.

We accept all payments by card at the time of placing your booking - either online via our booking system, in person, or over the phone.

Please check with your vet before starting any new physical activity. All dogs must be at least 4 months old and up to date with vaccinations. We can work with dogs from around 1 kg up to 100 kg. Let us know your dog’s specific needs, and we’ll do our best to accommodate them.

We understand that dogs, people, and life are unpredictable at times. If rescheduling or canceling is needed, please let us know, at minimum, 24 hours the before your dog's session to allow adjustment on our end.  Cancellations made the same day will result in a £15 cancellation fee, and any sessions canceled within an hour of the booking time will be charged in full.

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