baby backpack with leash image
Bird
I'm thinking about the upcoming Winter months and wondering how I'll manage walking my two dogs with my baby. I'll be living in an apartment so I'll have to walk them, I can't just let them out in a backyard. I'm wondering how other people make it work. Thanks!
Answer
Will your baby be walking with you?
The great thing about dogs is that they can be taught to do just about whatever you want.
First, lets talk about your dogs and their walking behavior. When you walk, do they tug you along? Do they cross the leash, always darting around to sniff and investigate? Do they stop to smell something and refuse to go, even when you call them and tug on the leash? If this sounds like your dogs, then your first step is to teach them some walking manners!
If you have little or no dog training experience, you can join a class! Try calling your local dog shelter and asking if they have information. (They often do: naughty dogs are more likely to end up at the shelter than polite ones.) Also, ask at your local pet store. The chains, like Petsmart, also offer training classes. Shop around for a trainer and a system that works for you. Clicker training is easy to pick up, for both dog and owner.
While you still have options, I would recommend you start walking them both, on leash, for long enough walks that they feel tired. Then you can go home, let them rest for a few minutes... And then take the poor tired dears right out again, but this time with the baby. If your baby can walk, have her walk with you. This is just to get the dogs used to walking in a group with baby, and get baby used to walking with dogs.
Second question is this: How much do you trust the dogs around your baby? I don't mean to imply they might eat her, but are they used to being around each other? Are the dogs interested in baby, or is she family, and just another person they've accepted in their lives?
If you will be carrying your baby, you can get a baby backpack. If your baby will be in a stroller, go ahead and take the stroller with you when you walk your dogs. Get them used to walking with the stroller. That way when you add a living baby to it, it shouldnt be too much of a surprise.
Hope this helps!
(If you decide not to take an obedience class, please do teach them yourself. Check on the Internet for how-tos about leash training, obedience, heeling, and dog/baby relationships.)
Will your baby be walking with you?
The great thing about dogs is that they can be taught to do just about whatever you want.
First, lets talk about your dogs and their walking behavior. When you walk, do they tug you along? Do they cross the leash, always darting around to sniff and investigate? Do they stop to smell something and refuse to go, even when you call them and tug on the leash? If this sounds like your dogs, then your first step is to teach them some walking manners!
If you have little or no dog training experience, you can join a class! Try calling your local dog shelter and asking if they have information. (They often do: naughty dogs are more likely to end up at the shelter than polite ones.) Also, ask at your local pet store. The chains, like Petsmart, also offer training classes. Shop around for a trainer and a system that works for you. Clicker training is easy to pick up, for both dog and owner.
While you still have options, I would recommend you start walking them both, on leash, for long enough walks that they feel tired. Then you can go home, let them rest for a few minutes... And then take the poor tired dears right out again, but this time with the baby. If your baby can walk, have her walk with you. This is just to get the dogs used to walking in a group with baby, and get baby used to walking with dogs.
Second question is this: How much do you trust the dogs around your baby? I don't mean to imply they might eat her, but are they used to being around each other? Are the dogs interested in baby, or is she family, and just another person they've accepted in their lives?
If you will be carrying your baby, you can get a baby backpack. If your baby will be in a stroller, go ahead and take the stroller with you when you walk your dogs. Get them used to walking with the stroller. That way when you add a living baby to it, it shouldnt be too much of a surprise.
Hope this helps!
(If you decide not to take an obedience class, please do teach them yourself. Check on the Internet for how-tos about leash training, obedience, heeling, and dog/baby relationships.)
Do you think its wrong when people put their children on a leash?
Spencey
Today I saw someone with their child on a leash. It was one of those backpacks with the leash attached to it. What do you think of these? Are they wrong?
Answer
Leashes are not meant just for dogs. We use them to keep our eyeglasses around our neck, our dogs safe from running off and/or being hit by a car, purse straps are a leash of sorts, some people use a leash on their wallets. If we use this device to protect these material things and our pets, why would we not use them to protect our most precious children?
Children are FAST. In just a fraction of time, they can be chasing a butterfly into the road, or lost in the crowd at a mall, etc. The leashes offer a sense of safety and security for both parent and child.
Holding their hands is extremely uncomfortable. They have to hold their arm at an angle that is not natural, it causes hands to sweat, and it gives them no freedom to explore. The tethers keep them safely at your side without discomfort for either parent or child, and they can still use their hands, etc.
Not everyone needs to use them. I bought them when I took my two older children- then 5 and 7- to Disney World. We did not need them, but had I thought they were necessary Iw oudl have used them in a second. My youngest daughter is 3 and we have not used it with her for a while, but we did- she actually enjoyed it but then again she also went through a phase of crawling around and barking and panting. Just a vivid imagination.
In my opinion, it is not wrong. It is no different than using a baby carrier, stroller, play pen, straps on the seat in the shopping cart, etc.
Leashes are not meant just for dogs. We use them to keep our eyeglasses around our neck, our dogs safe from running off and/or being hit by a car, purse straps are a leash of sorts, some people use a leash on their wallets. If we use this device to protect these material things and our pets, why would we not use them to protect our most precious children?
Children are FAST. In just a fraction of time, they can be chasing a butterfly into the road, or lost in the crowd at a mall, etc. The leashes offer a sense of safety and security for both parent and child.
Holding their hands is extremely uncomfortable. They have to hold their arm at an angle that is not natural, it causes hands to sweat, and it gives them no freedom to explore. The tethers keep them safely at your side without discomfort for either parent or child, and they can still use their hands, etc.
Not everyone needs to use them. I bought them when I took my two older children- then 5 and 7- to Disney World. We did not need them, but had I thought they were necessary Iw oudl have used them in a second. My youngest daughter is 3 and we have not used it with her for a while, but we did- she actually enjoyed it but then again she also went through a phase of crawling around and barking and panting. Just a vivid imagination.
In my opinion, it is not wrong. It is no different than using a baby carrier, stroller, play pen, straps on the seat in the shopping cart, etc.
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Title Post: How do you walk your dogs with a small child?
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