strollers and dogs on walks?

CandT · March 2010

Did anyone take their dog(s) walking with the stroller before the baby was in it?

I read this somewhere and have two hyper dogs who aren't the best leash walkers. My H thinks I'm crazy for suggesting it, but I really think it would be great training to do this before baby comes.

Any other dog walking with stroller advice??

LCB34 · March 2010

So glad you posted this!

I am curious what others have to say!!

lnle · March 2010

I think it's a great idea, but I don't think I'll be able to talk my husband into doing it. Let us know if you try it!

BoxTer · March 2010

We did it once or twice but I don't think it really did anything one way or the other. We still had both dogs then and my boxer I was able to handle while pushing the stroller, but my Boston is way too hyper and I didn't really try to walk him and push the stroller too. I laugh when I think about those early days - I had to have a stroller with the bassinet (Quinny Buzz) because I thought it looked so pretty. Well, N hated being in it so there were many walks where one of us would be carrying her and pushing the stroller and the other would be walking the two dogs. I say give it a try - it can't hurt.

laura&dan05 · March 2010

I never did a practice run before dd was born but our dog walks really well. I was nervous to walk the dog with the stroller on my own last summer so I'd only go on walks if DH was with me or one of my friends so I could take the dog and they could push the stroller. When dd was about 4 months old DH started jogging with Hannah in the BOB and he'd take the dog as well. I walk the dog now with the stroller and don't have any issues. My fear in the beginning was that the dog would see or smell something and pull and in turn tip the stroller. Thankfully that's never happened but the dog has got hit with the stoller a few times. She learned real fast that walking in front wasn't a good idea and that staying at my side is the safest place.

If your dogs aren't good walkers in the first place I think a few practice runs would be a good idea.

mrsolsenk12 · March 2010

I have actually heard this so that way they get used to the stroller being part of their walks. We never did it because we live in the country and when we walk our dogs, they are not on leashes, howeer if we would have still been living in town, we would have.

superned · March 2010

I will definitely be doing this. I wish I could have started sooner, actually, but we currently have a foster dog (which makes three dogs all together - that's enough to handle without adding a stroller!) and I haven't gotten my stroller yet (I'm getting a bonus at the end of the month and will be ordering an Uppababy Vista).

If your dogs aren't currently great on a leash, then I would start with basic leash manners before adding a stroller. If you have the time, a basic obedience class (or fresher, if you've already been) might be helpful. Do you use anything like a Gentle Leader or Easy Walk harness? Both are great products for pullers and can help focus a dog while walking.

I'll probably start by setting up the stroller in the house and then maybe taking quick trips around the block. We'll work up to full walks with the (empty) stroller.

I don't think it's crazy at all to want to prepare them. I'm really hoping that with a summer baby that I'll be out walking as often as possible and it would really be ideal if I could bring the dogs with me at least some of the time.

kimberic · March 2010

I'm so glad you asked this question!

My dogs are good walkers except when we first go out, the boxer tries to walk like a human. lol

There is no way Dh would take an empty stroller and the dogs for a walk. It's a good idea though.

qtpa2t · March 2010

I have two weimaraners that have a tendency to pull while on leash. I didn't try them next to the stroller, but I've found so far that wearing DD leaves my hands more free to control the dogs.

Tryingtogetpregnant · March 2010

We just got our stroller last weekend at our shower. My DH is getting it all out in the next week, and we are going to start our walks with it and our dog. I'm sure people might look at us crazy if they looked in and saw an empty stroller, but I don't care! I want our dog to know as much of what our routine will be before our DS gets here.

We're also getting out all of DS's toys and electronics (swing, bouncer, etc) and letting our dog sniff them out while they're in motion. I don't want him to be scared of any of the moving parts when DS is in them.

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