Evansville’s first mobile dog gym provides climate-controlled workouts
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Just in time for the dog days of summer, Evansville’s first mobile dog gym offers climate-controlled exercise for canines. The Running Lab is owned by Tyler and Alexis Kneer and housed in an air-conditioned trailer. Dogs can walk or run on a slat mill—a non-motorized treadmill—for 30-minute sessions.
“We’re still ironing out any kind of little issues that we have. We’ve seen a couple of things we could do to the trailer that would make it better, but we’ve had a great response so far,” said Tyler Kneer.
The couple came up with the business idea after seeing mobile dog gyms in other parts of the country on Instagram and then searching for a local facility for their pup.
“We were looking around because I wanted to run our pug, Ricky, and there were no mobile dog gyms in Indiana. So we were like, ‘Let’s do it,’” Alexis Kneer said.
At the time, Tyler worked at architecture firm Hafer, and Alexis was employed at Deaconess Hospital. However, they decided to quit their jobs and go all in on the new venture. The mobile dog gym began servicing clients by appointment in Evansville, Newburgh, Boonville and Chandler in May.
Starting the business
When the Kneers started researching mobile dog gyms, they discovered several facility options.
“Other companies that have done it, some of them will run out of a van. Some of them will run out of a trailer. Sometimes they’ll run out of anything they can find that will fit a slat mill,” said Tyler Kneer.
The couple bought a trailer and installed air conditioning because it was more cost-effective than a van, which they still may invest in down the road.
The Kneers also found out they had many choices when it came to slat mills.
“Our first big challenge was that when you order the one that we have, it’s custom-made. It took three, maybe almost four months to arrive,” Tyler Kneer said. “We drove to Oklahoma to purchase the one that we have now.”
The couple used Ricky as their “guinea pug” to practice getting dogs used to the apparatus.
“The slat mill is something that I would say 98% of dogs have never tried. So they’re scared. They’re a little anxious. They’re also meeting new people. It’s a bit of a process,” said Tyler Kneer
This fear of the unknown is why The Running Lab offers trial runs at a discounted rate to ease dogs into the mobile dog gym.
“We tend to see dogs get better and more comfortable. You can see them start to relax as they go. We noticed this with Ricky. When we first put him on, he was slow and timid. If you’ve seen the videos now on Facebook, he doesn’t leave anything on the table. He’s ready to get on it. He’s excited,” Tyler Kneer said.
There are no breed restrictions, but the Kneers do have a few client requirements.
“We want you to ask your vet if it’s okay first. We also would like to only have dogs that are at least four months old,” said Tyler Kneer. “Right now, we can only take dogs up to 90 pounds. That’s just the limit for our mill. That’s what it’s rated for. In the future, we’d like to get a bigger one.”
The slat mill experience
Once Cristina Greeney found out The Running Lab was open for business, she booked an appointment for her Australian shepherd, Nella, to expel some energy.
“We do have a fenced backyard, but I can only throw the ball so much. It’s so nice having this kind of service where they come to you. And she is tired after her session,” Greeney said.
Nella did some walking and running during the trial run and became more confident and comfortable after the first session.
“We’ll give them all our attention for the full session. Be that a treat, toys, encouragement, petting them,” said Tyler Kneer. “A lot of times, we will hook a leash to the front of their harness. We think that simulates them being on a walk, which is something they’re more comfortable with.”
Greeney appreciates the climate control and solitude of the mobile dog gym compared to traditional dog walking.
“My dog is very protective of me, so she’s a big barker on walks. With The Running Lab, you don’t have that issue. There are no other dogs. She gets to do her own thing and get her exercise in,” she said. “She understood that she can stop it when she wants to. She’ll take a little break, and then she’ll get her second wind.”
The Kneers said they are mindful of dogs who don’t know when to quit—like Ricky—and take steps to ensure they don’t overexert themselves.
“The slat mill has a built-in speedometer and odometer. We pick a distance for Ricky based on how hard he is running. We can listen to how he’s breathing. So we will let him run like a quarter mile. Then we’ll stop him, let him breathe and then we’ll give him a little bit of water,” Tyler Kneer said.
Session benefits
During a slat mill session with The Running Lab, the dog is in total control of their speed.
“We’re just there to encourage them,” said Tyler Kneer. “They can sit down. They can lay down.”
The Kneers can also make adjustments such as increasing resistance and raising the incline based on the dog’s needs.
“We can put them through a workout that’s personalized to the dog. We wouldn’t want to put a German shepherd on the same settings we would do for a chihuahua or a pug,” Tyler Kneer said.
With climate control, dogs can walk or run on the slat mill regardless of the weather. The equipment is easier on a dog’s joints than pavement, and there’s no speed limit.
“We get this question a lot. ‘Why would I not just run with my dog outside?’ I can almost guarantee you cannot run at your dog’s full speed. Your dog is going to be faster than you,” said Tyler Kneer.
The Running Lab’s ideal clients include energetic dogs, chubby pups and active pet parents.
“Somebody who is just too busy, but they want their dog to get enough exercise and be healthy,” Tyler Kneer said. “Someone whose dog is just a little overweight, and we can get them on there and get them walking a little bit. People who want their dog to be able to get all the exercise they need all year round. Say you are going to take your dog on a long road trip. You could set up an appointment so we could tire your dog out before they get in the car.”
Greeney advised anyone who’s thinking of trying out The Running Lab to set up a trial run.
“You don’t need to have super high expectations. I’m not training my dog to be a racing dog. It’s just something to get her moving. I feel like she was way more tired doing the slat mill than me walking her for 45 minutes or more,” she said.
Clients may book appointments on the mobile dog gym’s website and follow the business on Facebook and Instagram to learn about upcoming events.