Learn and Go: Underwater Treadmill - Strength Without Strain
Did you know I designed the first underwater treadmill for dogs? Back then, we had to get creative—concrete sides, zoo aquarium glass, home security cameras, and a computer monitor hanging from the ceiling to monitor gait. Since then, I’ve spent countless hours in the water helping pups regain strength, mobility, and confidence. Now, I want to share what I’ve learned with you.
Breaking the Cycle of Weakness & Pain
As pups age, their activity levels often decline. Less movement leads to muscle loss, which weakens joint support. This instability causes inflammation and pain, further reducing activity—and so the cycle continues.
But we can break that cycle. One of the best ways? Water therapy.
Why Water Works
Water provides a low-impact, high-resistance environment that helps pups build strength without unnecessary strain.
Buoyancy reduces weight on joints, making movement easier.
Resistance (water is up to 60x more resistant than air!) helps build muscle.
Balance & Proprioception improve as pups adjust to subtle shifts in the water.
Hydrostatic Pressure reduces swelling and promotes circulation, aiding recovery.
The Underwater Treadmill Advantage
Unlike swimming, an underwater treadmill allows controlled weight-bearing exercise. The water supports joints while still engaging bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles, making it an ideal therapy for:
✔ Senior pups who need safe strength-building
✔ Athletes looking to improve endurance without joint strain
✔ Pups recovering from injury or surgery
No matter the stage of life, underwater treadmill therapy offers strength without strain, stability without stress, and progress without pain.
I’m Dr. Laurie McCauley from Optimum Pet Vitality. I hope you had fun, I hope you learned something and I will see you in the next video!