There are plenty of gadgets that automate and simply everyday tasks, and this includes taking care of your furry friend. In the same way many of us are using tech like the Wii or Nike+ to improve physical fitness, so can pets benefit from a few tech devices to keep them moving and entertained...
GoDogGo Tennis Ball Launcher
For $124, you can spend a lazy afternoon just being that: lazy! Operation is really simple: first set the battery powered machine (so you can bring it to the park) to launch balls at distances of 15, 30 or 45 feet, then choose the interval of timing in between launches up to 25 hours. That's it!
Dogtread Medium Treadmill
Just like when humans can't get to the gym due to poor weather or time limitations, resorting to a home setup, so too can your hound workout from the comfort of the home. Designed especially for canines, this doggy treadmill's design keeps your pet happily trotting without threat of getting caught inbetween any spaces like a traditional treadmill. The treadmill also has a kill switch, immediately shutting off the power if your dog shows any sign of duress.
Dynavet Fiber Optic Safety Collar
This is ideal for night walks with your dog or even while camping or hiking on the outdoors: no more wondering where "Buster" went after running to catch that raccoon! The Dynavet uses luminescent fiber optics cables inside (and makes him look like a 2001 Ibiza reveler while at it). The light has three settings: always on, slow flash and fast flash. The resilient collar fits dogs' necks from 12" to 17".
FroliCat Dart
Who hasn't driven their cat into a frenzied state with a laser pointer? Well, here's a device which automates the task so you can give your waving arms a rest. With a laser bean firing from its rotating top, the Dart aims to entertain your cat by automatically moving its red laser dot in a circle in various random patterns; duration of play time can also be set for easy on/off setup. The only down side is that your cat may be more interested on the turret itself than the laser generated by it (or the box it came in).
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Most of these things make me a little sad. Yup, I can't wait to get a dog so I, too, can experience the joys of pet ownership. How I will love watching it play all by itself in the back yard because I can't be bothered to toss a ball, and leaving it to walk itself on a treadmill because going for a walk is just Too Much for me.
It seems to me like if you need these things, you probably shouldn't have a dog (or at least should have a different dog more suited to your lifestyle). Also, if you think walking in place is gonna satisfy the same needs that a walk outside fulfills for a dog, you are nuts.
That being said, the safety collar seems fairly practical (though I probably won't end up running out to buy one).
A dog doesn't just want to move. He want to go outside, experience things and interact with dogs or humans. Letting your dog run on a treadmill or buying a machine to throw balls for him doesn't only sound like something my dog would only enjoy for maybe 10 seconds but also like you are being lazy and shouldn't have gotten a dog in the first place. If you don't have the time to take your dog for a walk then at least hire a good dog sitter that will do it and interact with your dog in a proper way. This is just sad. Interaction with your dog is not a household chore to be automated. What's next? Developing a machine that will play and talk to your kids so you don't have to? And one that has sex with your wife and goes to the movies with here so you can spend even more time at the office? This is just weird.
I think the ball thrower and treadmill would be a FANTASTIC way for disabled people (weather it be injured, sick, weak, etc.) to give their dogs the exercise they need. Also some dogs have an overabundance of energy and their humans simply can't keep up with them! These could be a good supplement.
Other than that, I do agree that it's probably better to just go for a walk and throw the ball yourself, lol. :)