What would you think if you saw dogs in their own pram?

[Greypop]

I have 3 aging dogs. The maltese is 12, the toy poodle is 11 and the Chihuahua is 14. I inherited them from my grandmother who passed a few years back. I have always loved them but they are absolutely adored by myself and children since we brought them home.

The thing is that toy poodle has always needed carrying after a very short while on walks but the other two have been quite happy to carry on. But the chihuahua is now slowing down. I know they enjoy being out (still get excited when I mention walkies etc). The Maltese can go on for much longer. And it also does me the world of good being out the house. Right now I end up carrying the dogs as and when they get tired. Dh has suggested a stroller but I don’t know why I find the idea really embarrassing. I know I shouldn’t care what people think but I do.

Be honest, what would you think if you saw a woman pushing two dogs in a dog pram/stroller?

I would not think it was cute or adorable or anything like that.

I would think that this was another sign of the babyfication of dogs in our society.

I don't like the proliferation of fur babies as you might have guessed.

I have a stroller for my blind elderly dog, most people take no notice or say it's lovely he's cared about. I've had occasional comments but nothing worth worrying about. My only real problem is people allowing their children to grab at him because "it's cute" which obviously is not great as he cant see them heading for him and can snap from fear

I'd assume the dogs were elderly and/or arthritic and couldn't walk far any more. I've seen a few people with elderly dogs in prams/carts for this reason and I generally just think it's nice for the dog to be able to enjoy the outside world even when they can't get around easily on their four paws any more.

It's quite normal and a good way of getting an old dog out and about.

Oh, get over yourself. Why shouldn't a dog that can't walk very well still get taken out? That's not 'babyfication'. It's just kindness to a dog that needs a bit of help getting around, that's all.

They're not being 'babied' they are usually older dogs who cant walk far. It also lets the owner, who may well be elderly themselves, get out for their daily walk as they are used to. I have an old dog but we put her in a specially designed back pack when she's tired.

I think it's lovely to see
Dogs need stimulation and can get out when they can have a short walk and then rest
My Westie is 9 and active but should he slow down with age I would happily use one

If forced to think about it and the dog looked very decrepit I’d wonder for whose benefit it was being done ie was the dog having any quality of life or was the owner keeping it alive at all costs. If a very very overweight dog id wonder if it lost weight would that help it be able to walk.

but in the street seeing one go past for five seconds I’d probably not notice!

The dogs’ health conditions are all managed very well. We have medication for arthritis and other conditions. The dogs do sniff when they walk. Obviously they don’t when I am carrying them after they get tired.

Actually my son does this really sweet thing - he knows my chihuahua LOVES puddles (to sniff) so if he is with me on a dog walk he will take the chihuahua to sniff any puddles that look particularly interesting. It is very cute to see a teen boy be so sweet and considerate.

I wouldn't think anything of it, my sister had one for her elderly dog once he couldn't walk far.

The first time I saw this, I was like WTF is wrong with people, why can't they let their poor dogs get some exercise! Then I educated myself and now I think it's a nice way of taking ageing dogs out of the house. Nothing wrong with it.

I’ve seen quite a few people do this. At first I thought it was weird, but then someone suggested maybe they do it as the dogs can’t walk so at least they still get out, enjoy fresh air, socialise etc - then I thought that’s actually very lovely! So now I don’t bat an eyelid when I see dogs in prams looking cute and happy.

I'd think they were cute. The worst I can imagine anyone thinking would be that it's a bit quirky to put dogs in a pram, but there's no harm in it. Always do what works for your and your dogs. It doesn't matter what others think about it, if it's not illegal or putting some sort of burden on others around you.

In your case it also means you are catering to dogs with different needs on one walk. One can walk further, the others might need more rests.
I think it's a lovely thing to do.

I was surprised and thought it looked a bit funny the first time I saw this, but now I think it's quite normal. It's often tiny dogs and I understand it's usually elderly dogs, so they still want a bit of fresh air and exercise but might not be up to a full walk. Sometimes the owners are elderly too and I think the pram might give them a bit of stability.

I would think you're taking care of your elderly pets. When my chihuahua boy gets too old he's coming everywhere with me in a dog pram. Don't care what strangers think, I care about his quality of life.

I use a pet stroller... To get my house rabbits to the vets. They're far too heavy and rambunctious to take in a carry box. It means I am occasionally a bit of a spectacle, but they do enjoy the mental stimulation of getting out and about too.

When I see dogs in strollers I genuinely think ' they're clearly loved'.

Basically... DO IT. They will appreciate it.

I see quite a few dog strollers where I am.

People drive their dogs in the car to places like woodland to take them for walks, they can't sniff from the car either.

I don't think it's that weird to use a transportation device for some of the walk if your dog can still enjoy e.g. a walk around a park, but wouldn't be able to manage the walk to and from the park as well.

I had a buggy for my elderly staffie when he struggled to walk far. He loved it, he could have a good look and sniff, and every now and then he'd get out and have a potter about. It was really great and enabled him to get out and about in the fresh air.

I'd think it's very caring that an owner does anything possible to make sure their elderly/injured/disabled dogs still get to
enjoy fresh air.
No dog owner would think otherwise. Wouldn't care what anyone else thought.
It's nice for them to get out by whatever means.
Do
what's best for them. 🐾🐾

If I saw you I'd try and have a nosey in at your puppers 😍
I use one for mine occasionally, it belonged to my late elderly boy originally but if I take my young dog anywhere especially busy (he loves a wander around Cheshire Oaks for example) I take it and pop him in it for a break for us both. He's very small and easily trodden on in a crowd and it helps me carry all my purchases underneath it as well as gives him a safe space to sit whilst we eat lunch.

Never really cared if we're judged or not. It works for us.

I’d think the dogs were old and unable to walk.

When our dog was really ancient, she couldn’t walk far but still loved a paddle. We used to take her out in a pushchair to a river down the road.

If you are treating for arthritis and they still can't walk, it might not be as well managed as you think.

Way to go missing the point.