Honest opinions wanted - dog strollers

Since Chloe is only 28 weeks old, I know I should only walk 28 minutes with her (thanks to the feedback given in another thread). Since I want to get a good workout before Chloe gets older, I am still conflicted about what I did - I bought a dog stroller. We walked for an hour yesterday (well, Chloe rode for about half of it), and I am thrilled! I did get some funny looks and probably some looks of disgust, and I honestly felt a bit embarrassed. My dad told me basically that I've gone overboard and that the dog should walk!

So - I'm looking for honest opinions among other cavalier owners here. Is this too ridiculous? Have I completely gone off into the deep end, clouded by my love of my baby? I don't want to be the crazy dog lady. Below is a visual of Chloe in the stroller in the store...

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Sounds sensible to me - and having a stroller in the house can be very useful if you want to take your dog out with you when they're having crate rest for something (any dog can pull a muscle). When I took Oliver out in his stroller when he had to have 4 weeks crate rest but needed to come out with Aled and I when we went to obedience shows, visting friends and so on, I rather enjoyed the funny looks. I would take stroller and Aled onto the train or bus; people would look interested at what the baby was like behind the mesh front, and the look on their faces when they discovered it was a dog had me giggling inside! I also know someone with a small dog (a toy poodle) who pops her into the stroller when they're going to be in crowds - in the shoppping centre or out for the day at the local agricultural show, for example. A very good way to take a puppy out and about for socialisation but in a secure place - I'm sure Chloe gets lots of fuss and attention if you push her down to the shops!

Kate, Oliver and Aled

Thanks Kate - I feel better after reading your post!

As Kate says strollers are becoming much more popular because they are such a good way to keep small dogs safe in crowded places

A lot of owners find them great help when old or frail dogs object to being left at home while the other family dogs are exercised.

Just last weekend I saw a yorkie in a stroller in the mall! I don't think the stores she visited "allow" dogs (I ran into her a couple times while dress shopping), but no one gave her any trouble at all. The dog was pleased as punch! I agree they are becoming more popular If my cav ever develops disc issues or other problems interfering with walking, I will be sure to use one. I'm probably going to be one of those crazy moms with a 2-seat stroller: one seat for my baby and the other for my cav LOL

We got a stroller for an older but very active cavalier who became blind. We could not walk her in public because she had no idea where she was going. While she had the run of the house and fenced areas, she missed the smells of the streets, and the entire time she was being pushed in her stroller, she sat up with her nose up, taking in all of the scents.

I'm not sure I would walk young cavaliers while shopping in stores (and never in a pet shop), but I recommend introducing them to the sidewalks and streets and especially public parks. Our experiences while walking cavalier puppies have been very good, with people stopping us to ask what the breed is and if they can pet the puppies. Once at an outdoor farmers' market, one of our puppies on leash literally stopped people in their tracks when they saw him. If the puppies are in enclosed strollers, they would miss some of those opportunities for socialization.

As long as the dog is firmly attached (my stroller has a ring for attaching a short leash), there's no need to close up the stroller - I only closed mine when travelling on public transport because it made it easier to navigate a dog and a stroller on and off buses and trains, which often involved physically lifting up the stroller if there was a big gap between train and platform (how mothers with buggies manage is beyond me!). I think half the fun for dogs in strollers is that they're higher up and can look down on the common herd!!

Kate, Oliver and Aled

Kate H said:

As long as the dog is firmly attached (my stroller has a ring for attaching a short leash), there's no need to close up the stroller - I only closed mine when travelling on public transport because it made it easier to navigate a dog and a stroller on and off buses and trains, which often involved physically lifting up the stroller if there was a big gap between train and platform (how mothers with buggies manage is beyond me!). I think half the fun for dogs in strollers is that they're higher up and can look down on the common herd!!

Kate, Oliver and Aled

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I know I still have your stroller (not forgotten) will have to bring it over one day or if we meet up on a Cavalier day this year.

Okay - I'm just going to have to get over the "I know they think I'm crazy" thoughts since the consensus here is far from that (thankfully!) Your points are well-taken Rod Russell. I do let Chloe walk as much as she will, but put her in the stroller when she starts jumping up on me. After awhile (sometimes pretty quickly), she starts whining, and then I take her out and let her walk. We did this several times during our walk. I guess we'll get the hang of it.

I would love to take her to some type of open market or fair and roll her around. That would be fun to let folks fuss over her! I've heard that dogs in strollers can be taken in the mall, but I'm not that bold ... yet!

Heck yeah I would totally use one especially if it helped me "smuggle" my dog places. I bet a dollar my son, aged 4 would wanna ride with the dog too
Its important for her to walk tho helps that little heart but I won't feel crazy pushing my dog in a doggie stroller.


Melissa

I think dog strollers are great for older dogs, or when you want to walk farther than the dog is able to walk. We used one for our elderly dog before she died. They are also great for smuggling your dog into public places (most times I think the people realize you have a dog but don't mind if the dog is in a stroller. They are also FANTASTIC if you ever want take your dog to festivals or other events where they might get under foot and get trampled.

You'll be really happy with your purchase and don't worry spend much time thinking about those funny looks. Those people just don't understand. ;-)

MomObvious said:

Heck yeah I would totally use one especially if it helped me "smuggle" my dog places. ...

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I once took a cavalier with me on an overnight business trip to Tampa, Florida, because we had scheduled an agility lesson in Tampa the evening before. After the lesson, we spent that night at a hotel. The next morning, I carried my dog in a Sherpa bag to the business meeting. Everybody there knew that there was a dog in the bag, and I had no problem with him until a group of us decide to break for lunch at the nearby Grand Hyatt Hotel. So, I carried my dog, in the Sherpa, into the hotel's dining room and placed him next to my chair. All went well there, even though I was convinced he would smell the food and starting making some noise.

That photo is totally adorable!
I really don't have an opinion to share, but just wanted to add how cute she looks in the stroller.

If I tried to smuggle Jessie anywhere, even the faint smell of a hamburger, a butterfly or anything shiny would send him into a tissy
and he would be barking his ass off.

Can I say ass?

That picture is the cutest! My friends gave me "the look" when I got my 15 year old Yorkie a car seat but she was so flipping happy it just did not matter to me! Go with it and enjoy it, she looks like she is

Thanks all - but I'm not going to lie. I haven't taken her out again in the stroller. I cut down our walk time to what she can handle for the past few days. I know... I'm a wuss. If she were old or injured, I'd do it, but I just feel funny still. I was thinking about returning it, but will hold on to it based on what everyone said - festivals or gatherings with people...

Calandra... the Coward.