Jump to content

Puppy Socialisation Tool...


Roova
 Share

Recommended Posts

I was wondering how a bike stroller might work as a puppy socialisation tool for those weeks you're waiting on vaccinations to kick in and has anyone used one? Are there potential problems Im not seeing?

The arm on the front can be removed if you don't want to pull it on your bike.

I was thinking it could be handy to get pup out and about without having to hold them continually or have them on the ground (obviously tethered so they couldn't jump out). I like the fact it could be unzipped for a good view but if it were a people heavy place and you wanted less touchy feely from strangers it would be handy to zip up the front still allowing pup to see out.

I was looking at baby prams but this would be a little less embarrassing pushing around I think :D

post-41191-0-71142600-1410679515_thumb.jpg

post-41191-0-63194100-1410679533_thumb.jpg

Edited by Roova
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would just be aware of how potentially scary it could be for puppy trapped in there while people bend down and look in etc, without a reassuring hand present like there would be if you were holding the puppy. As long as you didn't use it as a baby sitter so to speak, it could be quite useful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys.

If I were to use this I would definitely be working on lots of positive association well before ever leaving the house then baby steps starting with quiet places leading to busier places. I would also work on hands and faces coming in to view while inside too.

I was picturing sitting beside it once I reached a spot so I can be interacting with the puppy and treating when he wasn't on my lap or being held etc.

I read on another thread holding your puppy while doing weeks of getting out and about could be detrimental too so its all a bit confusing how go about this the right way. :(

Some questions this made me think of actually. How long do you generally stay at new places when you visit them with a young puppy? Only 5-10 minutes increasing as puppy gets older? Also if you want to give him the chance to toilet and you've been training on grass do you just try to find an area and hope to goodness its safe?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been considering purchasing a pet stroller for the same reason. I want to get puppy out and about as soon as possible and a pet stroller appears the only way i can do it safely and with some level of comfort since i'll also be taking Wilbur (3yo chocolate lab) out with me. I want to order the stroller now so i've got a few weeks, before pup arrives, of exposing Wilbur to heeling with me pushing it. I'll feel like a prat but at the end of the day i'm more concerned that my pup is safely socialised during the period that she's not adequately covered with vaccinations than i am about feeling stupid.

I carried Wilbur everywhere until he was adequately covered by the second vaccination, but that's not possible with this puppy even though Wilbur has excellent heel/leash skills.

Like you Roova, i'll be doing a lot of positive association with the stroller and puppy before we leave the house.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have 3 adults and a pup in my house at the moment - it is less of a handful than we were expecting as everyone bundles into the car for training and exercise. I have a crate on the back seat for pup with one adult next to her on the seat and two in the back in the custom cage. That way we can drive to multiple venues and focus on one or two dogs at a time getting the training/exercise that suits them.

Edited by The Spotted Devil
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I ended up finding quite a cheap one ($85)! Its a bit rusty and the brake doesn't work so well but Im pretty happy with it. Its really light and easy to push around and there's an arm which swings out from underneath if I want to hook it behind my bike (but that means I'd have to actually ride my bike) :laugh:

There wasn't much room for a puppy to sit because of the area for little kids feet so I spent $7 on a piece of ply and about the same for a piece of boat carpet which I cut to size. I had to take a bit out of the sides to make them fit properly but they're wedged in nice and tight. I don't think I'll glue the carpet down so I can take it off for vacuuming or cleaning etc. There's clips on the back to keep kids in but they can be used to clip straight to a harness which is handy.

Maggie, my Frenchie is happy sitting in there atm because it's a place of many treats so I'll gradually get her used to walking beside it and (just in case) in it before puppy arrives.

Im probably going to look quite uncool pushing it around but meh. :o Im looking forward to using it if there's any places I go where I don't want to hold the puppy the whole time (before vaccinations) and ever after if there's a long walk to where I want to end up. It has a storage segment in the back which will be handy for camera, keys, water, hats, food etc and if I lift up the wood the hidden step area can be extra storage too. Whats not to love!

Edited to say the photos have turned out ginormous sorry!

withstepsmaller_zps9718d005.jpg

withwoodsmaller_zps0c792da7.jpg

withcarpetsmaller_zps5cba1006.jpg

Edited by Roova
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Roova I was looking for one of those second hand in Adelaide; just wasn't to be. I ended up paying the same as you including postage for one of these

post-40833-0-60719900-1411903222_thumb.jpg

I can't tell you how embarrassed i will be using this laugh.gif

I've been getting norty brown dawg used to waking next to me with it; he's doing really well.

Edited by suziwong66
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...