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 agree with others here. I'm not averse to prams for disabled or elderly dogs, but I'm not sure it's healthy from a physical or psychological perspective for an able bodied dog to be in a pram, simply because it is reactive. It is only going to make her more paranoid, insecure and defensive. It is, effectively, wrapping the dog in cotton wool and burying your head in the sand.
She needs to see a vet and a behaviourist.

I'm socially anxious myself, my dog is the only thing that gets me out of the house and there are times when I've felt judged, so I do have sympathy. But you either need to get help to deal with the dog's issues, or learn to ignore those who you believe are critical and judgemental of you. But neither dog nor owner here sounds happy so something clearly needs to change.

It isnt a healthy dog. It's vicious and reactive which is the epit9me of unhealthy.

I use a dog pushchair due to having an elderly disabled dog. I get looks a lot but just don’t let them bother me. They don’t know me or my dog or the situation. Some people look out of curiosity some people think my dogs really cute. It’s just people being people.

That being said, it sounds like you’re avoiding the situation of your dogs behaviour rather than dealing with it.

Try walking them very early in the morning when no one is around, renting a private dog walking field, driving to a secluded area, hiring a dog behaviourist and most importantly using a muzzle.

It’s not fair for a fairly young dog to be missing out on essential mental and physical exercise because you’re avoiding dealing with a very important issue.

This belief that the worst thing that can happen to an animal is to be put down is so incredibly cruel and selfish.

Agree with this 👆 I'll be getting a pram for my dog when his leg worsens. Because they can't get to the places they want to by walking. Be nice to push them there and take them out to sniff and look around and do what they can before returning.

She gets no exercise sitting in a pram.. dogs are meant to walk

Yeah, it's not good. They can get muscle atrophy, like dogs that are crated for hours on end. It really isn't healthy.

I think the most significant difference about dog size is that with a 50kg dog you don't have the temptation to stick them in a pram or the option to not face up to reactivity or antisocial behaviour.
Regardless of diminutive stature it is a dog and treating it like a baby will solve nothing.

Good. I don't think dog prams should be allowed in the buggy area on buses at the least if they are there and someone needs to get on with a buggy with baby, the people the places were created for, then the dog pram needs to get off.

I have two chihuahuas, one is a rescue and has a heart condition from poor breeding. She can manage around 15-20 minute walks but anything longer she struggles with. I've used a dog buggy for longer days out, like if we go out to Brighton etc. She actually loves being a bit higher up and the attention she gets.

I don't really care if people look or think it's odd because maybe (depends where you live) it is a bit unusual.

I've had heaps of rude comments from strangers though. Got called a "sad cat lady" by a man last time I was out with them. I just ignore it and carry on, but I do wish people wouldn't be so unnecessarily rude.

I admit I used to be kind of roll eyes about dog prams until I understood they were generally used for old dogs, injured dogs, sometimes just small dogs when a person needs to walk a long way and it might be too much for them. I think there's this image that it's people 'spoiling' their dogs or treating them like children but I do know more that's not the case. Will admit that was my assumption when I first saw one 10+ years ago.

Can’t say in this case but I’d say a lot of dog owners do not know their dog best. Exhibit a my mother, apparently her dog can’t be trained to not jump up. That’s bollocks. She a really just can’t be bothered and would rather see less of her grandchild than put some effort in.

No because that’s a human and we are discussing dogs.

I think it is worth noting here that the societal shift that has occurred is that we used to believe that a dog who could no longer go on a walk had no quality of life and should be put down. I'm not saying whether this is wrong or right, but the appearance of dog prams isn't a coincidence, it's part of a general shift in attitudes to dogs.

personally I used to get a shock because I’d see normally a lady pushing a pram and think “aah baby” but then it’s a very elderly dog 😳
but now it’s a bit more common.
we were on a bus before and a lady had 2 dogs in a pram and 1 out and they all started fighting which wasn’t nice

I get it, I used to feel like that until I knew someone whose dog had major surgery and temporarily needed a pram. Now I'm not so quick to judge, even though it would never be an option for my own dogs.

I judge you for having the blessed dog at all and for taking it out in public.

She will never have the opportunity to hurt anyone I make sure of that

keeping her from living an active life may be stopping her from having the opportunity of hurting someone however it’s not fair for her.

address the issue and hire a dog behaviourist so you dog can live the life of a dog and actually be exercised properly.

Why bother posting? You are ignoring plenty of posts pointing out what might be better for your dog.

I don't she wanted advice, but wanted to know why people might judge. I think this thread has definitely answered that question!

She was not asking for advice about her dog.
She was asking for advice on how to deal with the judgements. She has social anxiety, so reframe it as a thread asking for some help regarding her mental health.
If you ignored that, then why bother commenting.

But if she’s not doing what’s best for the dog then she’s going to be judged.

I have severe social anxiety myself and ideally you need a calm dog. A highly anxious person and a reactive dog is not ideal because it will get attention that the person will struggle with. And your anxiety travels to the dog and its anxiety travels to you, so you trigger each other. An emotional support dog needs to be calm and allow you a level of invisibility. I suspect this is part of the issue. This dog, in a pram, makes her too visible and exacerbates her anxiety. A dog in a pram will always attract unwanted attention.

People just love to judge unfortunately. I have a border collie and when he was a puppy I pushed him around in a pram. He was from a farm and hadn't been vaccinated so he couldn't walk. The amount of looks and comments I got about it could fill a book!