Baby Jogger for Dog?

[Melanie Xarti]

Hi all.
I have 2 dogs at opposite ends of the exercise ability spectrum. Peanut is active and energetic. Although she's only almost 17 months old, I occasionally take her on runs with me. Of course, these are my slow, short runs I do on an off day. She just trots along side me -- it's like a fast walk for her. :)
Anywho... Waldo can not run. He just walks and sometimes trots. But he loves to get out and tag along on normal walks.
Often, I take them both to areas where Peanut can run free and expend all her energy and Waldo can just fart around like an old man. But I'd LOVE to take Waldo along during runs. He likes to be with me all the time.
Sometimes I take them for separate walks so Peanut can be active at her own pace and Waldo can putt around at his own pace. But I was thinking... since I take Peanut for the slow jogs, why not make something to allow Waldo to come along at other times!
Hmm... maybe I could modify a Baby Jogger? Or find something similar for dogs. I know it sounds crazy, but if it's nice enough for me to go run, it's nice enough for the dogs to be outside whenever possible. I like them to get out and do things whenever possible. I like to take them with me whenever possible. And they enjoy it, too.
Anyone know of any such thing? I'm aware of things made for dogs with paralysis and such (I had a dog with degenerative joint disorder that needed help); but this situation is different. Waldo is capable of moving, he just doesn't go faster than a normal walking pace or the occasional slow trot. So, I'm looking into the Baby Jogger idea now.
But I'd love to hear any ideas fellow dog people might have to share.
Thanks for listening! :dogrun:

[heathea]

OMG I want to see a picture of your dog in a baby jogger. That will be memorable. I say go for it. If he will sit still in one, why not.
I am happy you are looking for a solution.
Take care,
Heather

[Andre Mendizabal]

I have the same kind of problem, my beagle is such an energetic dog and loves to run... fast... and my mini-schnauzer is quite the opposite, she's like Waldo, likes to tag along for the regular walks but doesn't run, and when she does, her little legs can't allow her to run fast... I do the same as you, I take them to a closed park were they can run free, each at their own pace!!! But it will be great to hear you found an answer for it... I don't have any advice... but let me know how the baby jogger works!!!!
good luck

[Rachel]

Check on ebay. I'm almost positive I've seen something like your describing. It looked like a crate with wheels. I'll post a link if I see it again (now I may have to go search for it because I'm very curious where I actually saw it, if i saw it at all :confused: )

Rachel

[Rachel]

Ah Ha!! I knew I saw them. :D There are quite a few listed on this page but I don't really know if you could run with any of them.
http://search.ebay.com/dog-stroller_Dogs_W0QQca trefZC12QQfromZR8QQf sooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacat Z20742

[Rowena Fry]

LOL I can't get over the one 'with cupholders'! That's hilarious! Anyway, Melanie, I think it's so sweet that you want to include Waldo in the jogs!

I think I once saw this thing on tv about this man who was in an accident and was disabled from it, but he still wanted to take his dogs for walks, so he created something that was inbetween a bicycle and a dog-sled, and his dogs pulled him around for their exercise! It was brilliant!

I also saw this other thing once...can't remember where, about a family who had two dogs, one of which was disabled. I'm sorry I reallyc an't remember the details, but they got a children's wagon and made a harness for the front of it so that the able-bodied dog could take the other one out for walks.

There are so many brilliant ideas out there, get creative! Don't forget to show us the results! Good luck! xoxox

[Grace Erick]

Melanie, I have a front pouch that is like a bag that you can clip your dog into so they don't jump out and it's meant for dogs if you go walking, but your dog would get bounced around in it. They just sit up in the bag. I have to put a blanket under Capri so her head is above the bag. It' clips in the back, kind of like a reverse backpack, but it's open.

Then there is another kind where it's like a baby's carrier where the dog sits in it like a chair with their back to your front, and their legs facing foward out of the carrier. My friend has one for her chi and he looks so cute in it, but again, it would bounce the dog around as you jogged. I don't know how a dog would feel about that kind of movement of boucing up and down.

[Melanie Xarti]

Thanks everyone! Still looking through e-bay. And tomorrow I have some errands to run so I plan to swing into Walmart and/or Kmart and see what they might have for me to work with. Then I want to go to the pet store for more ideas. I'm sure it will take a little more time before I come to a final solution. So... keep those ideas coming!!!
Thanks again!

[Carrie Ahl]

Hi Melanie,

It sounds like an awesome idea to me!!! When we first got our new little rescue, Magic, a shepherd/terrier/cattle dog cross, she was very sick. She had advanced heartworm and they weren't sure what damage might have been done to her heart permanently. I Love going on long walks and I definitely considered getting a baby jogger if that's what it took to include her. Fortunately, she came thru her treatment and healed up with no permanent damage. She is now a high-energy personal trainer that accompanies me daily and makes me go faster than I want. :dogrun:

My boyfriend and I are long-distance cyclists who participate in lots of organized recreational rides. We often see people taking their dogs on the shorter routes in those trailers designed to carry kids. It's great because they have windshields to keep out the sun and the bugs ( and keep the occupants safely inside!). I imagine that there is some training involved, but all the dogs we've seen seem safe and happy. I want to get one to include Magic, but my significant other would have to do the pulling (he's definitely the stronger rider!) and he's not buying it! I know that doesn't help your situation, but , just a word of encouragement to let you know that it seems it's totally possible to make the child/dog carrier switch pretty comfortably.

BTW, I think it's great that you're so thoughtful of both your dogs' needs!

Cari