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?

But the dog is being harmed. It sounds severely distressed and unhappy. Those are not normal behaviours of a happy dog and a pram isn't the solution. It could be making things worse.

Humans and their feelings are not the only important factor to consider.

The poor dog needs exercised appropriately.

Honestly, because it looks very precious and treating the dog like a baby. That’s the first reaction from most people in my experience.

Now I KNOW there are many reasons why one might decide to use a dog pram, including if the dog is old, struggles to move etc…

I never thought it could be because the dog is dangerous.

Id be uncomfortable to know the dog in the pram is dangerous and wo a muzzle tbh.

I was unfortunate once when a Jack Russell that was in a shopping trolley I was helping a customer with attacked me.
But getting back to your question we judge people all the time it's what humans do.

To be honest, I have only seen shitty comments about dog prams here on MN. It shows a total lack of understanding about the reasons people use them.

I have known several people use them for elderly/disabled dogs. Not a single person uses them because they think their dog is a baby, and that is some myth peddled on here. There is a lady that goes to my local park who also has a reactive dog. You can't go near it at all. But he is on a lead when on the floor, and in a pram otherwise.

If anyone asks, just say she struggles on her legs.

Keep on doing what you are doing OP.

It is not always about the actual exercise. It is about a change of scenery from home, smelling the smells, and seeing things. All enrichment.

This doesn’t sound at all safe, given that you’ve said she would bite people. You can never guarantee that no one is around.

Ignore the haters OP.

I take my very elderly (and large) dog out in a festival trolley so he can still see the world, watch the squirrels, and generally have a larger life than the few minutes he can walk for. People stare. But that’s on them, not me.
it sounds like you are trying the best for your dog in difficult circumstances, so just put a ‘them problem’ label on strangers reactions and keep taking your dog out safely

I don't understand why posters keep saying just keep doing what you're doing. It makes no sense. I'm not saying that from a judgment perspective about the pram, more from an animal welfare perspective.

The dog is clearly distressed. Freezing and then suddenly bolting, being reactive and exhibiting dangerous behaviour are not in anyway the signs of a happy well adjusted dog. The pram isn't helping because the behaviour isn't changing. It could actually be making the behaviours worse because the dog is getting more pent up.

If the OP wants to keep the dog then she needs professional help to get to the root causes and work on the behaviours. Otherwise its a ticking time bomb until the dog attacks the wrong dog, person or child with potentially serious consequences.

A professional behaviourist can work with the dog and over time make progress if the OP works with them.

I have a dog buggy for my elderly dog and never come across this, well not that I’ve noticed anyway. People smile and go “ahh” when they see her 🤷‍♀️. Maybe they’re laughing behind my back, don’t care.

and for those on this thread saying it’s attention seeking, etc it so is not. My dog deserves to go out, I can push her to a nice park and then she gets out and has a potter around which she enjoys. Or some days she will walk some distance but maybe not be able to make it home, I’m often pushing an empty buggy while she potters along. But even when she’s in it she is having stimulation and fresh air which is good for her mental health. Change of scenery, etc.

Because it’s just another way that people anthropomorphise their dogs. Leave your dog at home or muzzle it.

My 6 year old dog goes out for her `’walks” in a pram and has done so for the last year and will do so for the rest of her life! So you think this is ridiculous???? How about being less judgemental when you don’t know the story?

Pippa one of the happiest wee dogs you will ever meet and she loves people stopping to make a fuss of her. We rescued her as a puppy from the Spanish streets.

Is she my baby? Is the spoiled? No!!! We would all love nothing more than her being able to run around but its not possible. She has a chiari malformation which causes fluid to build up in her brain when she walks for more than three or four minutes at a time which causes pain and pressure. We came close to PTS but then saw a specialist and we’ve worked out how to keep her pain free with medication and controlled movement.
She potters about the kitchen and a wee bit of garden for toileting and we do a pram walk twice a day with her getting out for a three minute sniff around at the beginning and end of the walk . She adore being out and about and I probably upset about a million Mumsnetters every time but we go to wee outdoor cafes .
Yes I get funny looks and sarcy comments but the vast majority of people understand and say hello.

My other dog (sighthound) could not have a happy life as a pram dog so we would have been heartbroken but would have let him go . Pippa is constantly monitored and if her quality of life diminishes we will reassess but for the moment my vet says she is the happiest dog she knows .

So the poster is doing her best for her wee dog. Not every reactive dog with trauma can be “sorted”. I’m in doggy rescue and we have several who still have to be walked in the middle of the night to keep everyone happy .

So I don’t give a fuck what you or anyone else thinks about my dog in her pram .

But for a younger dog I’d definitely be looking at dog fields, training, etc to see if you can help her improve.

It’s not a common sight and people wrongly assume you treat the dog like a baby. There’s not much you can do except control how you react.

I do think people have given useful advice about helping the dog’s issues which might be worth a look if you haven’t tried before.

Yeah this. A walk is for exercise. Maybe if the dog got more exercise it wouldn't be as angry?

This!

I get you OP and this kind of judgement from people drives me mad. It just shows people’s ignorance for what it is. When I first got my extremely reactive rescue dog, I took her out in a carrier initially to get her used to places from a distance. This stupid little student-aged girl walked past me saying “It’s a dog, it’s not a baby, it’s a dog.” I felt like telling her exactly the reasons behind it, but I didn’t, and I regret it now. But she was just a stupid ignorant kid really.

Dogs still enjoy being outside in the fresh air and seeing what’s going on outside. Just like an OAP likes to be taken out in a wheelchair. It’s about improving the quality of their life and it’s a selfless thing to do.
Only a twat would think you’re doing it for attention!
OP. My advice is to just ignore any rude comments because they don’t have the capacity to think a dog might have an issue. It’s like people who moan about disabled people for getting in the way of an autistic child for being ‘too noisy’

Only on Mumsnet will you be judged for keeping your reactive dog under control even by means of using a dog pram!
OP I wouldn’t let any comments on here put you off and whenever anyone looks at you and lets out that patronising kind of sneer just smile and remember you’re taking your dog out and keeping her and the public safe.
You said you let her walk where it’s quiet , you know your dog best and obviously love her/ him. It’s not your dogs fault it has a traumatic past but thankfully they met you who wants to give them a loving life.
trust me I have 3 reactive dogs , two brothers come from a DV background and also would bite if anyone tried to approach me or manhandle me.
they are 5 and are always on a lead I do pay to take them to a private dog walk so they get off twice a week for a couple of hours of safe enclosed running around.
good on you for meeting your dogs needs

As much as you can, ignore people. You are looking after your dog & that's all that matters. It is no one else's business and if that's what works for you & your pup, that's what works.

I see lots of people with them & think it's a nice thing, I had one and would do again.

Not the point of the OP but my DD finally gave up her dummy when she was 6!! She used to suck it on the way to school and give it to us when she was there! This DD is now 28 and having a baby of her own she has a professional career and rather lovely straight white teeth! Take no notice!

Sorry you had to deal with that.
People judge, we all do. But I have never understood the need to say things out loud like that when you can keep it in your head. All that is to be gained is making someone feel like shit.

Also, dog prams don't look like baby prams. Some people are idiots though.

You just have to accept that people will judge a dog in a pram

They can judge. But keep it in your head. People who say things to make others feel like shit are the ones that need judging.