ive seen more and more dogs in prams, even specially built ones

[AbsolutelyPatsy]

anyone else?
got quite confused recently as i thought one was a child at first glance, but looked odd

“I saw a couple the other day with one in the push chair and I did think it was odd because the dog got out of the pushchair just like a toddler would to walk for a bit. I suppose in my mind, if the dog can't walk that far, it would make more sense not to take if for such a long walk.”

Having a dog on longterm restricted exercise is hard going, because it limits what you can walk too.

Mind you the last one I had with joint problems was a rottie... dunno if I’d be up for pushing that, rofl

saw a couple the other day with one in the push chair and I did think it was odd because the dog got out of the pushchair just like a toddler would to walk for a bit. I suppose in my mind, if the dog can't walk that far, it would make more sense not to take if for such a long walk.

Dogs, like humans would still prefer to be out and about taking in sights and smells even if they are injured or old.

I first saw them in Hong Kong about 12 years ago, but see them quite regularly now, often with elderly owners so perhaps the support for them is useful too.

They are wonderful for over bred dogs that have deformed joints or who cant breath properly. So cute.

From my oldies arthritis group there's sadly plenty of younger dogs with orthopaedic issues and always lots labs, spaniels, poo x & collies waiting when we've visited specialists, so the popular family breeds.

It does the dogs the world of good being able to benefit from all the mental stimulus of going on walks, to potter and sniff without exercise element restricting it.

I loaned my dog stroller (also converts to bike trailer) to a family whose dog was disabled. After being fairly restricted to the garden & trips to hydrotherapy because he was a heavy dog. It allowed them to take him to the park with the kids & the dog loved all the new smells, meeting dogs and getting attention from strangers. His hind legs may have been useless but he wasn't in pain and it certainly didn't stop him living life to the full, such a happy boy.

Mum’s friend has one for her 8 year old Schitzu who has slipped discs. She’s a big Walker and doesn’t drive
She spent Xmas with us 2019 and my little chi was being a knob and refusing to walk as it was wet and cold
Popped her in the pram … now ma and I have one we share 😂
It’s amazing. Took the dogs to London and went In Shops and sat in Covent Garden for lunch
They actually walked 4 miles that day but then slept in the pram for the 2 hrs it took to get home
Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it 😂
We’re going away with our dogs (both chi’s) in autumn and taking it because it gives the freedom to shop and also to go out in the evening and keep them contained

@Cazzamoomoo

I must admit I've seen more lately and I did think it was odd at first. There is a lady by us who I've seen for about ten years walking her dogs with one in a push chair. We stopped to chat to her one day and she explained the one in a chair was unable to walk so it still came for a walk with the others in the chair.

I saw a couple the other day with one in the push chair and I did think it was odd because the dog got out of the pushchair just like a toddler would to walk for a bit. I suppose in my mind, if the dog can't walk that far, it would make more sense not to take if for such a long walk.

Surely that’s exactly the point of them- that the dog can get out for a bit of a walk, get in for a rest etc.

I’m with you op. I’ve only seen dogs in them that are overbred flat face types - I think it’s sad to get a dog that’s going to suffer if it walks. Worse than sad, I think it’s unkind. And if the dog is very old and can’t walk I think it’s time to say goodbye and puts, hard as that is.
I can sort of understand recovering from surgery, but when my old girl was recovering from an op she was happier to stay at home as she was uncomfortable.
And if a puppy can’t walk far then don’t go on long walks. If it’s very hot - don’t go for a long walk.

I had a dog pram for my Jack Russell

He had something wrong with the pads of his paws which meant he couldn’t walk on concrete for long distances without the skin wearing away and leaving sores.

I used to pop him in his pram, walk to the river bank, get him out so he could walk on the grass and then put him in it to walk home

He loved his pram and would get in and out at his hearts content

@AbsolutelyPatsy

they make me feel sad

A dog in a pram makes you feel sad? 🙄

@Sittinginthesand

I’m with you op. I’ve only seen dogs in them that are overbred flat face types - I think it’s sad to get a dog that’s going to suffer if it walks. Worse than sad, I think it’s unkind. And if the dog is very old and can’t walk I think it’s time to say goodbye and puts, hard as that is. I can sort of understand recovering from surgery, but when my old girl was recovering from an op she was happier to stay at home as she was uncomfortable. And if a puppy can’t walk far then don’t go on long walks. If it’s very hot - don’t go for a long walk.

But the point is that if a dog is recovering from surgery, old or a puppy, it can't be left home all day by itself and people still need to go about their lives even if they have an old, ill or very young dog.

An older dog who would struggle to walk all day may still be able to manage a good hour or two - then they can go in the pram the rest of the time so the owners can stay out and maybe continue walking their younger dog(s).

It's also worth noting that many holiday cottages and dog-friendly hotels don't allow you to leave your dog unattended so leaving Fido at home isn't always an option.

They aren't new. They've been around for years. You can even buy them in Argos.

I think its cos you can get them on ebay for quite cheap now. Its good as it means elderly dogs arent confined to the house

Cupsofcoffee

But that argument doesn’t really work - it’s only small breeds that can go in prams for a start. No chance of my elderly lab going in one! If I managed to get her in she’d get straight out! If a dog is recovering from surgery it can’t be in a pram all day either! I don’t think people do use them to avoid leaving the dog all day. If it is very ill you have to stay at home anyway.

I think it’s fine for people to use dog prams if they want to but they should be honest about it - it’s a choice not an essential. I have never seen a Great Dane in one.

Nold - different people have different opinions. When my lab was getting old her walks gradually got shorter, sometimes she didn’t want to come at all and just pottered around the garden, but she was quite happy. She slept a lot and was perfectly happy to be left while the other dog went for a walk - it was her choice; we used to show her the lead and she’d either come with us or go and sit in her basket. When the day came that she could no longer get up the steps and was unhappy we knew that it was time to say goodbye - unbelievably difficult and sad for us but a kindness to her. It would have been wrong to prolong her suffering.

Dogs aren’t people and don’t have human thoughts - you may think it’s ‘scum’ to have an elderly, suffering dog pts, I think it’s awful to keep them lingering on because you can’t face the pain of letting them go.

i always say we are kinder to elderly dogs than we are to people, we pts elderly incontinent dogs, we know when their time is up,
but people, we just let them suffer

But that argument doesn’t really work - it’s only small breeds that can go in prams for a start.

Not at all - you can get prams that can hold medium sized dogs too - I know people who use them for beagles and cocker spaniels - both medium breeds.

No chance of my elderly lab going in one! If I managed to get her in she’d get straight out!

You don't just put them in and leave them to it! Most dogs are secured with a lead and harness but I see your point about pushing a lab around

If a dog is recovering from surgery it can’t be in a pram all day either! I don’t think people do use them to avoid leaving the dog all day. If it is very ill you have to stay at home anyway.

Of course you don't have to stay home all day because your dog is old or unwell! Why would you think that?

I think it’s fine for people to use dog prams if they want to but they should be honest about it - it’s a choice not an essential. I have never seen a Great Dane in one.

It's absolutely a choice, of course it is. I don't think anyone has ever argued otherwise?

But that argument doesn’t really work - it’s only small breeds that can go in prams for a start.

I have seen big dogs like labs in prams. They are either very clearly expensive so they can support more weight or they have been made by their owners to accommodate the dog.

I remember someone posting once about how they were worried they would be judged taking their dog out in a pram as they were pretty immobile. Now I can understand why given this thread.

We have a shihtzu pup and mil tells me as a former shihtzu owner that we will need a pram for him 🙄. He is so healthy and has no breathing issues, has boundless energy and loves exploring, I can't see him ever needing to be in a pram. But when he's old if he does, then I would definitely use one rather than have to leave him home.

Cups - it was you that said people use prams to avoid leaving the dogs all day, not me! My point, perhaps poorly expressed, was that prams aren’t necessary because dogs CAN be left on their own for a bit. And if they are too ill to be left at all they are probably too ill to be in a pram.

It's not just over bred flat faced dogs that go in prams. I know someone with an elderly three legged border terrier who uses a pram for the boring, pavement part of the walk and it gets out for the interesting bit. There are also people with an older and a younger dog, the old dog can just do part of the walk.

Our JRT is getting on a bit so we have a special dog carrying back pack we can put her in when she gets tired. We like going on long (10+ miles) and wouldn't dream of leaving her behind. She's not ill and nowhere near needing to be PTS though.

Just because you can't put a Great Dane in a push chair or back pack doesn't make it wrong to use them for smaller dogs.

@Sittinginthesand

Cups - it was you that said people use prams to avoid leaving the dogs all day, not me! My point, perhaps poorly expressed, was that prams aren’t necessary because dogs CAN be left on their own for a bit. And if they are too ill to be left at all they are probably too ill to be in a pram.

Yes, I know that. I think you've misunderstood me

You said you'd have to leave the dog at home if it was very old or unwell, and I'm saying that's not the case at all. I know of people who take their elderly dogs out in prams all day precisely because they don't want leave them home alone all day, or they don't want to put them in boarding or kennels while on holiday.

There are many illnesses a dog may have that mean said a pram is a good idea. A dog being unwell or old doesn't mean they have to be stuck at home all the time. Dogs benefit from being with their owners and from being allowed to experience new things - no matter what their age.

However it does read from your posts that you just think they're a bit daft.

Cups - you are correct I do think they are a bit daft! I just think people should ‘own’ the fact that they use them for sentimental / lifestyle choice reasons and not call people who think that it might be kinder in some cases to have the dog pts ‘scum’. I’ve only seen a few of these prams and in all cases they were young flat faced breeds - it felt to me like the owners actually WANTED a dog to push in a pram, it was like an accessory. Like that was what they’d intended to do from the start rather than as a temporary solution to a problem.

I don't think anyone here has said they're compulsory or necessary though - they're just helpful and nice to have in many cases

Of course if a dog is truly suffering it should be put to sleep but many older dogs are quite happy with short walks and lots of company.

This thread is just full of unnecessary judgment really. I know lots of owners who use prams for their dogs - all for excellent reasons - but many were scared to do so because they knew they'd get criticised and judged by strangers who didn't know their situation.