Turning your dog into a baby

[MissCommando]

I was amazed yesterday looking on ebay, you can dog strollers - http://www.ebay.co.uk...s&hash=item3a6c895aa0

dog shoes -
http://www.ebay.co.uk...=&hash=item8962d29723

dog carriers - http://www.ebay.co.uk...=&hash=item6fc47cad0d

What are your thoughts on these type of products? I'd personally feel like a twit walking around town pushing a dog or carrying him it a sling lol. Do you think it's cruel or sweet?

[rowanwitch]

It's a bit odd... but its just people cashing in on a market that was waiting to be exploited. The pet as child substitute ....

[daffy654]

That pram just looks like a child/baby buggy. The carrier is ridiculous! and as for the shoes....

[Kiki-frog]

Probably not all that cruel, not even remotely sweet, but very disturbing. IMO it's just shows what a sad case a person is.

[MissCommando]

I've never seen anyone use these type of products in real life so perhaps the dog owners who purchase them are few and far between (well hopefully lol).

[islasmum]

To be honest, I prefer my dogs natural with their own (unprotected) feet and walking! The only thing I would get is a proper dog coat if they were thin coated and felt the cold - dogs with bootees? Ridiculus - and if someone wants to pay nearly £90 for a doggy stroller, that's up to them but surely one of the reasons people have a dog is for exercise, both human and dog. I mean it's nice to make a fuss of your dog but trying to make it into a mini human just goes against the grain for me.

[Lillymoon]

Absolutely ridiculous in my opinion, a dog is a dog with their own needs and requirments. Its no wonder people get bitten, the poor dogs are so confused.

I have tried to imagine how I would feel as an adult human forced to live as, lets say a kangaroo. Ma Roo would shove me in her pouch because she was being a Roo mum and protective. Would I like or appreciate it? No.

I would get stressed and probably lash out eventually, I really think if we are to have any animals as pets we should be respectful of them and their needs....mentally and physically.

This way we honour the nature of each creature, otherwise they are just prisoners.
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[daffy654]

Brilliant answer there from Lillymoon.

[FredPuli43]

Daft, and not natural for the dog. I do have a dog carrier, but it's like a 'grip', a small luggage bag, with handles, and a dinky little grille, so the dog can see out of the front, fitted with its very own curtain flap to cover the grille for privacy. Aaah.... Worse, it's by Louis Vuitton (M'dear, Chanel didn't make one, you see )

That kind of carrier makes sense (and is practical when travelling with a small dog). Treating the dog like a joey or a papoose doesn't.

[flump1]

Hi , I bought my dog a child's jumper from a local charity shop and she wore that in extremely cold weather only. I would buy my dog a buggy if I could find one cheap enough as we are restricted to where we can walk now and as my hound is getting on in years I would happily push her for 10 minutes so she can cavort with other dogs instead of being tired when we arrive. She will never wear shoes !!!! My dog is not a child , she is a Jack Russell terrier, crossed with a pig. I just want to make her later years a tad easier.

[wolf63]

I'm actually looking for a cat stroller to take the twins to the vet. I bought a pushchair but it isn't quite right.

My cats are my babies, but I love them for their personalities and individualities. But they are cats and they act like cats and putting a little ballerina dress on Merlin would be akin to suicide.

[rowanwitch]

cute though.... have a go I'll phone 999 tell them to get the blood ready..

[jules77]

Well, I have to disagree. I met up with a lady a few weeks ago, she had two dogs walking by the side of her and one in a childs converted pushchair, the dog was over 20 years old. This little dog still liked to go out with the other dogs, but when she got tired she was content to sit in her pushchair and watch the world go by. Another friend uses a sling to get her puppies socialised before they are allowed out at 13 weeks of age.

[shaneystar2]

I think it's a bit silly and not the natural way to treat a dog but you will probably find these people adore their dogs and they lead a pampered life and are not ill treated .Perhaps better to dress them up with the odd ribbon than beat and starve them which happens all too frequently these days .

[Ratty2E]

I agree with Jules, the strollers are a very good idea if you have an elderly dog that finds it hard to walk very far. If you have 2 or more dogs and the eldest can only potter around then at least it can still go out with the others to enjoy the sights and smells of the great outdoors. Slings are a good idea too for the same reason. I realise some people would you use them to baby their dogs but then that's the people at fault not the products.

[karenmac60]

I can see the point if it is for practical reasons, but I have a colleague who has a maltese terrier which she showers every day (to keep him pretty), buys outfits for and dresses him up in (her most bizarre statement I've ever hear was her saying she was buying him a blue camouflage top and trouser thing because she thought he'd really suit it) and even has a special handbag which she insists on taking the dog out in - she even makes her husband take it out in the ruddy thing. She is barking mad mind you....

[karenmac60]

But shaney - you can kill with kindness too. How many dogs are obese and really ill because they are so spoiled and pampered. This woman's dog gets no exercise, is being bathed far more frequently than is healthy for it's poor skin, and she regularly gives him treats including chocolate because 'he likes it'.

[lankeela]

Some older people use the strollers even for show dogs as they find it easier to be able to push them with the dogs in rather than carrying a cage and holding dogs as most shows have quite a long walk from the car park. I use a flat trolley to put my folded up cages on but some people use them with the cages erected so not much difference except these do look like a baby buggy. They are a sensible idea for older dogs too. The slings/carriers are useful for socialising and to stop a puppy getting tired on a walk or again for older dogs that don't want to be left at home. Haven't looked at the shoes link yet, but dog boots can be used to protect dogs with cuts or sore feet, and I know some of the service dogs where them when going into earthquake regions etc to protect their feet.

[lankeela]

Ah I see what you mean about the shoes, now that is a step too far! (Pun intended). I rather like this though: http://www.ebay.co.uk...3D8829257988877357720

[Tilly2]

We saw loads of pet strollers in California last year. We couldn't get over it. Then, yesterday we saw one in Bedford. Sad.

[lankeela]

I don't know why you are all so against these things - these dogs will not end up in rescue or being turned out on the street. I'd far rather sell a puppy to someone who is going to spend stupid amounts of money on it than someone who will get rid after a few months because they are expecting a baby, haven't got enough time for it, are moving to smaller premises or any of the dozens of other excuses for getting rid.