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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Anyone used a dog sling or alternative?

16 replies

gracebf · 13/06/2011 10:51

We have a 3 yr old dog and we are getting a new puppy on Sunday. I am trying to work out how to walk the existing dog and allow the new puppy to come too. I have heard of dog slings but dont want to look like crazy dog lady!

Can anyone recommend one or let me know how they do it?

I could leave puppy at home but think the socialisation would be good for it. Not sure I could carry it whole way round walk and be in complete control of other dog as will need to have hands free sometimes.

Any ideas or tried and tested advice?

OP posts:

MrsRhettButler · 13/06/2011 10:52

Ummm, I think you WILL look like crazy dog lady tbh

beachyhead · 13/06/2011 10:54

On longer walks when our dog2 was a puppy, we took a sports bag, you know the square ones, and we popped him in there. It was when he could go out but couldn't do the distance of dog1. He had his head sticking out obviously and there was a blanket in there....he didn't seem to mind!

Original poster

gracebf · 13/06/2011 10:55

Thats what dh said! Just one mention of it and he couldnt stop laughing. He didnt believe me that such items even existed as to him it is bonkers!

Just dont know what to do!

OP posts:

BooyHoo · 13/06/2011 10:57

before WB had his jabs i used to put him in the basket of my buggy. it was great. he could see out even lying down, he was socialised and then when it came time that he coudl walk he was so used to being at that certain point in relation to the buggy that he automatically walked there and didn't pull.

BitOfFun · 13/06/2011 10:57

How big is the puppy? I took Pickle out in my handbag round the local shops etc to get her used to people and traffic noise, but I didn't take our older dog Pepper for a walk at the same time. It would have been a bit risky, attention-wise, I think.

BooyHoo · 13/06/2011 10:58

i also see lots of people carrying smaller puppies in their arms and i never think they look crazy because I have done the same

Original poster

gracebf · 13/06/2011 11:02

He will be the size of a cavalier so is quite small at the moment. I never took our 1st dog out except to puppy socialisation classes but dd was younger then so had lots of friends round.

She is at school now so concious that may need to make more effort to socialise him. So no buggy to put him in either.

I might think about a bag but even that might look a bit strange! This will be before his jabs but maybe easier just to leave him at home.

OP posts:

BitOfFun · 13/06/2011 11:03

Oh no, you need to take him out! Half the fun is random strangers stopping to coo and chat- it's better than having a new baby

BooyHoo · 13/06/2011 11:05

no no! take him out, the socialisation is so important for him. you have to get as much in as possible for the magic 18 week mark and with jabs only being completed at 10/12 weeks that doesn't give you much time. dont worry about looking strange with a bag. you will get so much attention from strangers cooing over him. they will think it is adorable. and no-one that thinks it isn't is going to come out of their way to tell you.

BooyHoo · 13/06/2011 11:05

Xpost BOF!

Kingsroadie · 13/06/2011 11:10

BooyHoo - how did you get yours puppy to stay in the buggy basket? We have a sizeable one (bugaboo chameleon) but I don't know how I would get him to stay in there - he would run away as soon as we left the house I imagine!

BooyHoo · 13/06/2011 11:15

i started off in the house by setting him in it and feeding him treats whilst in it and then letting him out if he wanted out. it didn't take long til he was trying to climb in and then falling asleep. then i started pushing the buggy round the living room and treating him for sitting in the basket whilst it was moving. it really didn't take long TBH, at 8 weeks he tired really quickly of looking out whilst moving and he just lay down and slept or lay down and peek out through the mesh. whilst out and about you must have his lead attacthed to his collar and you hold on to it so that if he did try and jump out, he wasn't going to get away from you. but even at the school with all the kids fussing over him he didn't try and jump out. he just lapped up all the attention.

Kingsroadie · 13/06/2011 11:19

Thank you! That's what I imagined but wanted to check. Might try it although only a week til he can go out - but we might need to use it when he is allowed out in case he gets tired actually so might be a good thing to do!

BooyHoo · 13/06/2011 11:21

yes it was really handy for me when he was still small but allowed to walk. i used to walk him whilst my son was at judo but the walk to teh leisure centre plus the walk whilst it was on would have been too much so i put him in the basket for part of the journey.

ellangirl · 13/06/2011 13:03

My puppy climbs in the buggy basket of her own accord when she wants a rest when we're out- so cute! What about a backpack on your front?

CoffeeIsMyFriend · 13/06/2011 13:23

I just carried my GSD when she was little. She came everywhere in my arms, although if I had known about a sling I would have had her in it. She was 5Kg at 5wks old and got heavier every day!

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