What are everyones opionions on these as an ADDITION to regular excercise, and advice on what price to pay also how long as per minutes distance etc, for an alaskan malamute

This is just my opinion..... but I know people who have used them successfully for training their sled dogs. As you say, as long as this is used in addition and not instead of daily walks, runs etc. As long as you follow a strict programme of building up the speed and time, then they are fine.

Although not used one I would love one for one of our dogs.  He needs to trot to get his muscles built up at his back end.  when offlead he only mooches and doesn't chase toys etc so that's no good.  My only potion at the moment is to job him, however I'm not that determined and give up.  Have to start again soon to get him ready for Crufts. Treadmill would help me greatly, as "extra exercise"

Ice queen,

Will your dog do the stay?  Giving him long stays and getting him running hard to get to you is a really good way of building up his muscles.  Even better if you can get him running uphill - not too steep tho

I also have a dog who will mooch along if not given something to do, and he won't retrieve anything - thinks if I don't want it then why bring it back   Having 2 dogs who'll race each other is also good

Hope this helps

Unfortanlty stay's are useless.  Only safe place to run him is over feilds where their are too many smells but he won't run to them.  Nor will he run between two people!!!!  Have tried taking him on his own, with an energetic girl who will go forever at top speeds but nope, he would rather mooch!!!  

Maybe his trying to say I need the jogging to get fit!!!!!!! :D

Lazy beggar (the dog not you ) 

Have you considered a bicycle ?  don't know how practical it would be for you but it works for some people

I know I couldn't jog far enough or fast enough to make a difference to mine, power walking on a lead is good for building muscles but again you have to go far enough for the dog in question and that could end up being an awfully long way for some dogs

PS I use very high value treats when doing a recall from a stay, it keeps them keen, otherwise they just want to just sniff at lovely smells, which has no muscle-building capacity

I have thought about a bike but it's just not safe IMO   We have no bike paths/tracks in our town that are worth using.  plus because he isn't the best dog with other dogs I just don't have the same control and there's one dog everyone fears meeting round here it's that nasty (and not controlled)

I used to jog him 5 KM, power walking would work but would have to increase distance I think.  Taking out at least 2 hours from my day!

The tastey treats would make the recall harder because he won't stay, he was never obedience trained so never had any of that training.  Looks like the joggers are coming back out along with the trainers!  Maybe I shoud think of it as loosing weight for a new suit for crufts... :D  I wonder if it will last!!!!!