A workout built for your dog’s pace.

We’re using single-level crates (8 in the shuttle bus, 4 per side with a walk-in aisle), each secured with tie-downs. We’re still finalizing the exact crate models, so we won’t claim anything we can’t back up yet.

8 dogs, always crated individually.

Typically between 1 and 2 hours from pickup to drop-off, depending on route order — the workout itself is 20 minutes, plus the pickup and drop-off loops. Between the workout and the ride home, dogs rest crated with water in a climate-controlled bus, with relief breaks.

Yes, dogs wait crated in the shuttle bus. The gym bus is fully climate-controlled, and the shuttle will have air conditioning plus roof ventilation, so temperature and airflow are managed the whole time. Crating is just for the rides and the quick changeover between the shuttle and the gym bus — dogs aren’t left sitting in crates.

We’re mobile — based in St. Catharines, operating at host sites around Niagara (pet stores, vet clinics, with their permission). The dogs exercise on the parked gym bus.

PawPaw’s Upgraded Large slatmills (with brake) — 8 of them, one per dog, with solid dividers between.

Every dog is assessed individually before being accepted, and introduced to the slatmill gradually — we do acclimation sessions on weekends. Reactive or highly anxious dogs won’t be placed in the group of 8.

We don’t force it — ever. The bus carries supervised rest crates, so a dog that won’t run simply rests with the supervisor. If slatmill running isn’t for them, we’ll tell you honestly.

The supervisor’s only job during a session is watching the 8 dogs — not driving, not loading. Each mill has a safety tether that stops it if a dog slips back, plus emergency stops within reach. Sessions are 20 minutes followed by cool-down and water, in a climate-controlled bus.

Decided case by case. We’ll talk through your dog’s age, health, and fitness at signup, and either tailor the workout (shorter, slower, more rest) or be straight with you if it’s not the right fit. Please flag any conditions upfront.

We’ll be straight: we’re lifelong dog owners, not dog trainers — this is supervised exercise, not behaviour work. Before we open, all three of us are completing pet first aid & CPR (Walks ’N’ Wags, hands-on), our two helpers are doing the IBPSA Canine Pet Care Provider course, all three of us are doing the Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach certification, and Margaret is pursuing her PACCC professional certification within the first year.

No formal slatmill-specific certification yet — the conditioning certification covers safe exercise principles, and we’re building careful hands-on acclimation protocols.

Yes — all three staff complete pet first aid & CPR before launch.

The supervisor stops the mill, secures the dog, starts first aid, and calls Margaret back immediately; she transports the dog to the vet. Every client signs an emergency vet authorization before the first session, and if we’re out on a route loop, the shuttle diverts to the nearest mapped vet.

Insurance is being finalized with our brokers before launch — commercial liability, professional liability, care/custody & control (including emergency vet expenses), and commercial auto for both buses. We don’t operate until it’s in place.

All 8 dogs exercise at the same time, each on its own slatmill — and the supervisor watches all 8 the entire time. That’s their only job.

Equipment is wiped down between dogs, with full disinfection daily.

Yes — we’re setting up live camera viewing so you can watch your dog’s session.

Between 1 and 2 hours.

The session ends immediately, dogs are moved to the air-conditioned shuttle bus, and Margaret comes straight back. Dogs are never left unsupervised.

The slatmill itself helps — it’s dog-powered, so each dog sets its own pace and the mill stops when the dog stops. Combined with the individual assessment and the supervisor watching, each dog genuinely gets its own workout.