What do you dog owners think about a dog stroller? My fiancee saw one at the pet store a week or two ago and she wanted to get one for her 11 year old mini long haired dachshund. He has been having trouble walking for the last few weeks :| and he doesn't seem to be himself anymore. It turns out he has arthritis in his front shoulders. We really want to still be able to take him to the park since he loves it so much, so my fiancee wants to get a doggy stroller to put him in.

What do you guys think? I am kinda neutral to it. I think if we take him for really short walks, it might ease his arthritis a little (my fiancee agrees). I just think it would look a little comical to be walking in the park with a dog in a stroller.

I think they're a good idea for dogs like your fiancee's ... ones that love to still go for walks but maybe can't physically handle it anymore. I have thought about getting one fo rmy 8-year-old Maltese, who has a luxating patella.

It's just sad to see CoCo get old because he still wants to act like a puppy. Like when I go to the house he wants to run up and jump at my knees like he used to but he tries it once and then stops because it is painful for him. We can hear him wimping while he tries to come up the steps if we are all upstairs and he is downstairs. You can still tell he is a puppy if you look at his eyes but he is just so sore that he can't run around like he used to.:sad:

I say get it. Just try to get it in a manly color. I have a min pin/dachsund mix.

there was one on ebay yesterday that converted into a carrier, stroller, or a car seat and it was only 20 dollars plus 20 bucks for shipping, my high bid was 25 bucks but someone else outbid me.:-(

for all that our dogs friends give us during their liife, give back, help the dog and buy it........:)
jurn

update: Turns out its not his legs/shoulders, it is his back. My fiancee's mom took him to the doctor today and it turns out is back is getting bad. For those of you who know dachshunds, this is very very normal since they are so long and low. His back has actually lasted a lot longer than most, a lot of dachshunds start to have trouble around 6 or 7 CoCo is about to be 11 (or maybe 12 I can't remember)

Or you could put him down, which would be the humane thing to do and get a dog that can walk to the park himself. Or just let him live a life of doggy bliss hanging around the house on meds and get a dog that can walk himself to the park. A doggy stroller...How queer is that?

A doggy stroller...How queer is that?

:sad: Well aren't you a peach

Or you could put him down, which would be the humane thing to do and get a dog that can walk to the park himself. Or just let him live a life of doggy bliss hanging around the house on meds and get a dog that can walk himself to the park. A doggy stroller...How queer is that?


Just because he has arthritis doesn't mean you put him down:mad: Would you put down your dog if it was 11 and had a little arthritis. It's not like he can't walk, he's just sore like an old human. Would you put down your parents once they needed a cane or a walker? I would love to see you put down your dog who has been like your loyal companion for 11 years. I haven't even been around CoCo for that long (only 5 1/2 years) and I can't imagine not going over to their house and having him waiting to greet me with a dumb grin on his face. I am assuming that you don't have a dog, because if you did, you probably wouldn't have made that comment.

I am assuming that you don't have a dog, because if you did, you probably wouldn't have made that comment.

i agree! i never had a dog before, but we got one a year and a half ago and i dunno what we'd do without him. get the stroller, your pup will appreciate it!

What do you dog owners think about a dog stroller? ...

I agree with the others....hope you got the stroller. The dog can walk for short periods as much as possible, then ride in the stroller when necessary. You can do what you want, and the dog can be with you. Best all round for everyone, I believe.

update: Turns out its not his legs/shoulders, it is his back. ...

ahhh. I replied earlier before reading the entire thread. Sorry to hear it is his back. Same answer though: Do what you can to enjoy as much time as you can with your dog and give him a good quality of life. On that, (though you didn't ask) I'll add: follow your vet's advice, if you know and trust your vet, and then search your heart as well as your head for what's best to do.

JPH - Just ignore - pretend it's the wind blowing - cuz that's all it is - a lot of hot air.
Try glucosamine/cosequin - my almost 22 year old cat takes it and it has really helped her arthritis. It's OTC, check at a pet supply store. Also there are certain meds the vet can supply to help him on his worst days and dogs can take...baby asprin - a partial pill for a dog his size but it really does help the pain. Ask the vet for the dose. Many pet parents I know with doxies swear by accupuncture for their backs...should be several therapists in your area. You can help him be comfortable and pain free in his old age. The stroller is a good idea and they also make vests with a handle on the back so you can easily lift them (without hurting them) and aid them with stairs, steps and ledges. Exercise is good for them so long as they do not have spinal injury. Also you might try one of the heated pet beds - cold and damp conditions and hard surfaces can make the pain worse. My old lady cat LOVES hers and it helped so much with pain and stiffness.
Our Scottie turned 9 on Wed so we have the same things in our future. He can have healthy, happy active golden years with a bit of help from you. You will know when it's "time" but you are a long way from there now. Just enjoy him and be ready to adjust with him and assist him as he ages. There are several good books outlining the many things you can do to properly care for an aging pet.

yeah we already have him on some puppy pain killers to make him a little more comfortable. The wierd thing is, it is harder for us than it is for him. It seems like he could care less whether its painful or not. He still is constantly grinning and just wimpers a little bit when he wants up or down from the couch. He's the best dog ever (I never had a dog so I am just as attached as my fiancee is) and we just want him to be happy. If that means pushing him in a stroller so he can go to the park for the sights and smells he loves, than so be it. My fiancee thinks it would be cute/funny. We have seen some other people with them before but never had really thought much of it.

JPH - Just ignore - pretend it's the wind blowing - cuz that's all it is - a lot of hot air. ...

Hope the above wasn't directed at my post, because I didn't intend to offend anyone, and I certainly want to be understood. My meaning is JPH should do what he thinks is right with no care of what anyone thinks. Do what you need to do to enjoy life with your pet, and your pet enjoy life with you. If it takes a stroller, then it takes a stroller, no matter what it looks like. But as to what another poster wrote, I'm saying rely on your vet for objective information, and think with your head and feel with your heart. I've been there and will be there again. Watching a pet get old is tough and dealing with a pet in pain is very tough, so I took the liberty of adding the advice that I did. Knowing what is right for the pet is not easy, and you do the best you can do. No offence intended. And certainly not hot air.

NOOO Not you aih! I was referring to the the totally rude post from our resident "ray of sunshine" Kayakin' Dan.

NOOO Not you aih! I was referring to the the totally rude post from our resident "ray of sunshine" Kayakin' Dan.

Got it. My mistake. I was going by the branching in the thread view. Still getting to know the group.