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 had it with my dog. He was really sick and had heart failure, he still liked going out tho, but we’d end up carrying him which wasn’t easy. But the comments, or people letting their big dogs run up and jump up!

Would be really helpful to know what breed of dog you have. As that will make a huge difference re advice on their needs re exercise levels, stimulation requirements etc.

Shih tzu chi mix

Dogs need exercise so I 100% agree with everyone who have said that you need to start working out how to safely walk her, and I say this as an owner of a reactive dog. The more they can walk, the calmer they'll be.

I don't judge people in the park with their dog in the pram as I presume the dog is just really old. Where I live, it's become a massive thing to take your dog to the mall in a pram and, OMG, I silently judge every single one of those people. Why would anyone think a dog wants to sit in a pram in a massive shopping centre full of people and noise?! The other day there was a massive labradoodle. Barking. In a pram. In the mall. Like, wtf?!!

Did you research the breed before getting her? Do you know what her breed (or crosses of breed) are inherently meant “to do”.

Most dog breeds have inherent traits that they were bred for. You need to tap into them to get the best out of them.

Do you have a garden that she can exercise in, so that she doesn’t need to be stressed by outside factors?

look into brain training tools, they are just as good as physical exertion for a dog.

and look into finding a good behaviourist. It’s about finding out what makes your dog tick and then putting systems into place to help them. Just shoving your dog in a pram isn’t the right way to go. You need to put time and effort into figuring out what your dog needs to live a good life.

Dog ownership is not easy, so I hope I don’t come across as harsh. But it is your responsibility to find the best way forward for your breed of dog.

I judge people who keep animals alive when they shouldn’t be alive.

I guess you may have to let it be and try to ignore it. I have not heard of a diggy pram myself. Its good that you are keeping the dog well and safe.

Well as you can see from this thread- judgmental, nosey wankers. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤣 Best ignored.

Meh, lots of people around us take their dogs and cats out in prams. It does look abit silly but they’re ideal for older pets who benefit from a change of scene but might struggle to walk to the park, for example. We’re considering one for our dog ( nearly 12) as he loves exploring different areas but tires easily now. In a pram, we could get him there quickly and then he can enjoy the green space.

Ignore people who tut, it’s just something new and they’ll get used to it eventually.

Cats? Since when did people take cats for walks? I just let mine out the back door.

@YeOldeGreyhound I’ve seen a few around here, seriously! We’re in a city and indoor cats are the norm so perhaps it’s a way to give them some fresh air?!

I wouldn’t have a cat here tbh, I think that they need to be free to roam.

I think part of overcoming social anxiety is learning to worry less about the opinions other people have in their heads.

They don't know you or your dog or what other solutions you've tried. If it currently helping you and your dog get out to a wider range of places and enrich your lives, then it's your opinion that matters most.

A friend of mine who doesn't drive needed to use a buggy for her 4yr when she started school because her daughter was struggling with the transition at the end of the day and the 10-15 min walk home was sometimes taking over an hour and was hellish for both of them (and unsafe) She got a judgey comments at the school gate from people who wouldn't think twice about using a car to transport their kids a similar distance.

It wasn't a permanent solution but it did help get through a tough few weeks until her daughter was more comfortable with school and the walk home.

I think when I first saw dog prams I assumed they were part of the handbag dog sort of trend of overly pampering pets and not letting them be dogs. But soon realised how they help give elderly, disabled or frightened dogs more range to maybe get from their home to interesting places where they could "be dogs".

Don't let folk not understanding put you off getting out of the house. Years ago we had a reactive dog and it would have been useful to be able to give him a safe contained space for busier places to be able to get him to quieter ones. Folk often do this with cars but I can see how useful a pram could be in similar circumstances with a smaller dog. Especially if it is desensitising her to some of the things she would react to otherwise.

That said, for the longer term, please consider seeing a dog trainer about this if you haven't done so. Looking back on the time with my old reactive dog when I was also very socially anxious, I wish we had just gotten some help rather than have years of trying to avoid what scared us both. Some help with being a good leader to him probably would have helped him and me enjoy our life together more confidently.

Sometimes we can tie ourselves in knots trying to cope with and manage a situation for years, when addressing it more directly which seemed scarier would probably have been more effective.

I rehomed a 9yr old abused dog last year who is ultra reactive. She is absolutely awful atm because I have builders in so I resorted to taking her to the vets yesterday for medication. We had to go in via their staff entrance because she goes ballistic at other dogs.

However, I still walk her. She has a harness with a handle on and two leads. I never, ever let her off. I'm careful where I take her to reduce stress. Can you not try this? Putting your dog in a pram elevates them and gives a sense of superiority which will not help their anxiety.

You don’t have “trauma”, it’s something you experience. As a PTSD sufferer (an actual disability) I’m so disappointed the term is now being reduced to being used for bloody dogs. Do you also refer to it as your fur baby Op?

"emotional shock following a stressful experience"
is also part of the definition.

OP asked for help. Don't shit on that.

It's getting ridiculous isn't it.

A colleague of mine treats her dog like a human. The dog ran into the road at some point and she referred to her dog as trying to commit suicide.

, i don't think they realise how awful it makes them sound. To impose such human characteristics on a dog makes them sound mentally unwell themselves.

It’s never crossed my mind before this thread that some people would be judging me. I’m really shocked by some of the responses on this thread. Why do some people have to be so horrible?

I can feel sympathy for the OP’s circumstances-and also think she is very misguided in the way she is dealing with her dog. I’m not going to pretend to think it’s OK, and I think the people telling her that it is are wrong.

Plenty of people do. We once met a Norwegian Forest Cat being walked on a harness at our local country park. I've also known of cats in buggies.

People are probably judging because instead of you using it as a mobility aid for an old/disabled pet, you're pushing around an angry dog that needs training.

Old/ailing dogs still benefit from being taken out minus the actual 'walk'part. They can still take in smells and sights and get nourishment from it.

No she’s not. Dogs need exercise to keep both physically and mentally fit. They also need to be properly trained. The OP is being unnecessarily cruel and lazy.

You can and would have to put down a healthy dog if it bites someone (and was known to have a history of biting). Either leave it at home or get it properly trained, you are babying this animal and the situation will get worse unless you deal with it - are you going to react quickly enough every time? Will it eventually bite you or a visitor to your home? Yes, I would judge you if I saw you pushing a healthy young dog furbaby round in a pushchair.

You need to get some help training your dog.
Surely dog walks are so the dog gets some exercise and mental stimulation?
I used a pram do a few months with my elderly dog when she was unable to walk anymore and I felt the fresh air benefitted her but would never dream of using it for my 5 year old dog (who is anxious and being trained)

I agree. This is not fair on the dog.