Puppy and a mobility scooter?

[Schuyler]

I have a relative who’s got a physical disability and would like to be able to walk her new puppy. She uses a small-ish mobility scooter. They’ve not got the puppy yet. Her partner would otherwise be the main dog walker but she asked me if I thought she could train a lab pup to learn to safely walk alongside a mobility scooter. If it’s not safe, she definitely wouldn’t do it and we googled together but I said I’d try to do some research. I’d appreciate any thoughts please.

[Winterdaysarehere]

Can't see it's much different to a ddog walking next to a pram.
6 year gap between my last dc and am sure I heard ddog groan when she saw a buggy reappear!! Few minor incidents buts she caught on quick to beware of getting too close!!
Loads of users have ddogs where I live. Every day I see a tiny JRT with almost smoke coming from it's speedy little legs hurrying along!! Looks happy to me!!
Imo it's a good excuse to get out the house regardless of mobility!!

[CMOTDibbler]

Yes, absolutely possible. Though when my ddog2 was a puppy he was much more interested in riding on my dads mobility scooter!

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Is it a two or three wheel scooter? I'm thinking of stability if the dog saw a dog / squirrel / interesting leaf and lunged sideways. I would suggest the puppy rides on the mobility scooter while small, and walks next to the mobility scooter when it can do a reliable loose lead walk - the adolescent months could be a bit tricky though!

[Schuyler]

Thanks for the quick replies. She has a 4 wheel one. I’ve walked a dog with a pram but I suppose when it’s electric and heavy, it’s a bit more risky if the pup were to get too close.

[Schuyler]

Similar to this.

[Lunafortheloveogod]

Might take till the pups older and calmer to be safe.. size of a lab might be enough to tip a light scooter and user. There’s also the issue of picking up poo? I’m genuinely not sure how that works legally.. I know guide dogs are exempt obviously.

[MrsPMT]

Definitely, I know a lady who used to walk her rescue border collie with a mobility scooter so imagine a lab pup will be no problem. As person above has mentioned poo then as long as she's able to get up to do that should be fine .

[Gingerninja4]

Hi yes My lab boy learnt to walk alongside my mobility scooter and also my electric wheelchair from after firstd injection .He used to sit in a sports bag on my lap for socialization outings from 8 weeks .He is 5 now

I would say need a longer lead just to allow that extra bit of distance from the wheels

I would say she needs to teach puppy not to pull from young age

[Schuyler]

She can get on and off to pick up poo and walk short distances but not enough to properly walk a dog, hence why she’d use the mobility scooter. I’ve never had labs, so not sure if it could pull her over. The scooter is lightweight but solid and she’s - I know she wouldn’t mind me saying - quite tall and solid. Definitely something to consider, for sure.

Thank you so much.

[adaline]

Yes, it's definitely possible!

We once met a lady with a collie who was perfectly trained to walk alongside her scooter - it was really impressive.

[Gingerninja4]

As for poo pick up can get a lonh handled option. pop bag over the pan section brush poo into it lift up pull bag of and tie

[Ellapaella]

You can train a lab to do almost anything! However as puppies they are very energetic and very excitable, my lab would not have been capable of walking nicely next to a scooter as a pup. She's 2.5 now and I think she could do this now. She's need to do a fair bit of research into training etc and maybe be prepared to do some training classes but in theory it might be possible. Lab Puppies aren't meant to walk much for the first few months anyway.

[WhatAStupidIdea]

Definitely possible. My friend booked her dog in with a local trainer who trained her pup from a fairly young age to walk by her wheelchair and her scooter. If she doesn't think she could manage it herself, that’s another option.

[Girlintheframe]

I used to see a lady at the park who had a mobility scooter with a lab. She had one of those ball chuckers and would do laps of the park, chucking the ball so lab got a run. When they were finished lab would squeeze in beside her feet for the drive home . Definitely do able! Might need to wait until pup is a bit older with reliable recall though

[Schuyler]

Thank you. Really appreciate the positive words and encouragement. My lovely relative has been through a lot, so I know she’d like to be able to walk the dog herself. :)

[SantaBeckett]

Could a lead be fashioned pot of a solid rod or pole ? something like a short brush handle so that the pup can be held away from the scooters wheels until it gets use to walking the right way/ distance away /alongside you relative.
I would be worried that if your relative has to pull the dog towards her to avoid something ( dog / child/ lamp post ) she may unwittingly pull him to close and run his paws over

[SantaBeckett]

piece not pot

[Gingerninja4]

Should add I only use slip Lead as he not a puller and easy put on and of .

Only thing we noticed that at first mine struggled when anyone who uses 2 legs walked him as he automatically walk bit further away
Useful to teach them behind command for narrow paths as mine knows it

I use 6 foot lead to allow room for dog to move when turning corners