Why do strangers judge me for using a dog pram

[WorriedDogMum87]

My dog is 6 and has trauma. She is very reactive and would bite someone if given the chance. On a lead she either freezes or goes absolutely mental and tries to run into the road.

I let her walk sometimes but only if no one is around. Most of the time I use a dog pram because it is the safest option for both of us.

I know some people might suggest having her put down, but this is about keeping her safe while she is still happy and able to enjoy life.

The problem is the judgmental looks, audible sighs and comments from strangers who know nothing about my life. I am not good at dealing with people and I already have severe social anxiety, so all this negative attention is really upsetting.

Has anyone else experienced this and how do you cope?

I don't care about the pram but you should not have a vicious dog out in public.

Why can't you muzzle train her and put her on a double clipped harness so the dog still gets the exercise on a walk?

What training has been done with her? Behaviourist?

Because, sadly, people are horribly judgmental nowadays.

You're doing the right thing though!

I think you would do well to try an train her or desensitise her…she isn’t getting much out of life being walked round in a pram…

Isn’t the point of walking your dog to let it walk? Otherwise it looks like you’re taking it out for attention. Why do you take it out?

You need to take her to places where you can walk her. Use a muzzle if necessary. It’s cruel to wheel a dog around in a pram especially when not disabled.

I think the problem is that most that use dog prams do so because they want to pretend their dogs are babies and do so at the expense of their dogs as they aren't getting the exercise or care they need. How do you exercise your dog? Do they need to be out with you?

They do look a bit silly, but it sounds like you have your reasons, and it's not hurting anybody.

Honestly? Because it’s a dog. It’s not a baby. If it’s not safe to be in public walking, then it shouldn’t be out!

It is ridiculous to have a 6 year old dog in a pram. Yes maybe for dogs who are very old but 6 no way. You need to train your dog. Get a muzzle and a head collar. Dogs need exercise, they need to be able to run around. Do you take her to fields to run? Or you can pay to rent some places so they can be alone and free. My dog is reactive but he has a head collar we keep a decent distance from oncoming dogs,keep my eyes peeled and cross the road if I see a dog coming. I take him to quiet fields he has a nice run around. It's cruel to just push them around in a pram and yes people will judge you.

If it helps get you dog out and about OP, do not worry about anyone else. You know your dog best.

There are some judgemental people around yes but perhaps also it's the surprise of looking in a pram and expecting to see a baby etc. the exact same thing happened to a friend of ours (he's always been a nosey bastard) and stuck his head right in and lost a nostril

You can't control the rest of the world, you can only control how much you let the perceived negative in.

Sometimes people are just looking, you might he hyper vigilant on this. I have a toddler and still glance at prams with a bassinet because I assume there'll he a cute newborn in there to get all nostalgic over, and might do a double take when it's a dog only because i was expecting a human baby. Not judging, just looking.

Just try not to worry and feel the need to explain.

You have severe social anxiety and you have a dog you can’t control in society. It’s like you’re wilfully making your life as difficult as you possibly can.

I do let her on walks out of the pram but only if there’s no one around otherwise I need her in the pram to confine her so she has no way of hurting anyone or herself

I thought this too - life is way too short to burden yourself like this. I can't see how having an uncontrollable dog is improving your quality of life!

It’s not and makes it more difficult but I have no way of giving her away and can’t put down a healthy dog

For the same reason some people judge my 5 year old and his dummy I guess, people like to pontificate on things they know nothing about.

Where does the trauma stem from? Have you done much work to tackle the behaviour?

I agree with PP it’s not a great situation. You’re going to do this for 10 more years potentially?

I would never say anything or be rude but I do slightly judge dogs in prams, unless they’re very old or obviously disabled. Just seems unnecessary. Leave it at home?

She isn't actually healthy though, is she? A dog capable of running and playing but who has to be pushed about in a pram because she's so liable to bite isn't a) a happy dog and b) a dog that it is responsible to own.

so neither you nor your dog are healthy. You can’t, or won’t, look after her properly. It’s very irresponsible. You need to train her.

She sounds like a very unhappy dog. She's probably in a state of high anxiety for most of the time, that's no way to live.

Pushing her about in a pram is not a good solution and isn't trying to tackle the root cause of her unhappiness. As a responsible dog owner you need to get a better solution to the problem, she needs a dog behaviourist to work with her.

A lack of sufficient exercise can also increase her behavioural issues because she's not burning off enough energy to sufficiently relax.

You don't say what breed she is? I'm guessing Jack Russell maybe?

Just ignore judgement from strangers op. Thats what I do. If you don’t know these people, why stress over what they think? If you’re not harming others, just carry on carrying on. I know easier said than done.

The fact you can fit your dog in a pram means it is small. You should be able to control her on a lead with a muzzle and a head collar easily. Have you even tried this basic Tactic