Pug Portability Problem
May 24, 2013 10:36 AM Subscribe
Any advice for making a 32-pound pug (He's big-boned) portable? Backpack or wheely cart? He has a really big frame for a pug, which is most of why he's so heavy.. Even so, he's on a diet, which should take off five pounds or so, and I think he'd enjoy hiking, at least a little bit, if we could get him on and off public transportation to get us from the city to the woods, but BART wants him in some kind of carrier and he's kind of enormous.
He wouldn't be caught dead in a stroller.
There are suitcase-y wheely carts, but it seems like even the biggest ones only accommodate dogs 20-pounds and smaller, and if the Amazon reviews are to be believed, that's actually a tight fit.
Anybody have any experience with hauling your dog around without ready access to a car? He wants adventure!
He wouldn't be caught dead in a stroller.
There are suitcase-y wheely carts, but it seems like even the biggest ones only accommodate dogs 20-pounds and smaller, and if the Amazon reviews are to be believed, that's actually a tight fit.
Anybody have any experience with hauling your dog around without ready access to a car? He wants adventure!
I have one of these 'pet backpacks' that I can, in an emergency, cram all 3 of my cats into; its cozy but managable. Amazon says it holds up to 25 lbs, but my cats together weigh around 40lbs, and it held up quite well even when I hauled it (and cats) down 24 flights of stairs on my back. It works much better pulling it behind you as you would a suitcase however.
posted by cgg at 10:56 AM on May 24, 2013
posted by cgg at 10:56 AM on May 24, 2013
recent-ish similar questions, possibly with useful answers.
posted by elizardbits at 10:56 AM on May 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by elizardbits at 10:56 AM on May 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Will you have to haul the carrier in your backpack while you are hiking, or is there some place to stash it at the trailhead? If it's the former and you'll have to carry it all the way, a soft and collapsible carrier or crate with a handle on top is what you need. Assuming that your dog will only be in the carrier inside the train stations and the train itself, a stroller or anything wheeled seems unnecessary.
For convenience's sake, I'd suggest looking for the smallest size that your dog can curl up in and see how he tolerates it. He won't be spending a lot of time in it and you'll always be there to supervise him, so you can probably* ignore size regulations that apply to airline crates (having sufficient clearance above the tips of the ears with the dog's head upright, being able to comfortably turn around without touching any walls, etc.)
*Of course, take the time to train him to feel safe and relaxed in there so he doesn't freak out when you ask him to step in it before boarding any trains.
posted by halogen at 11:00 AM on May 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
For convenience's sake, I'd suggest looking for the smallest size that your dog can curl up in and see how he tolerates it. He won't be spending a lot of time in it and you'll always be there to supervise him, so you can probably* ignore size regulations that apply to airline crates (having sufficient clearance above the tips of the ears with the dog's head upright, being able to comfortably turn around without touching any walls, etc.)
*Of course, take the time to train him to feel safe and relaxed in there so he doesn't freak out when you ask him to step in it before boarding any trains.
posted by halogen at 11:00 AM on May 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Honestly, I think you will both be much happier with one of the pet stroller dealies even though they look abysmally stupid. A heavier dog can be crammed into a backpack or carrier rated for a lower weight for a short amount of time, but I would be really scared about doing that to a pug given how prone they are to breathing issues.
You want to make sure to give your little dude plenty of space.
If you would be so kind, a picture of your dog would be much appreciated. Today is a day that I could do with some roly poly little pug pics.
posted by phunniemee at 11:04 AM on May 24, 2013 [5 favorites]
You want to make sure to give your little dude plenty of space.
If you would be so kind, a picture of your dog would be much appreciated. Today is a day that I could do with some roly poly little pug pics.
posted by phunniemee at 11:04 AM on May 24, 2013 [5 favorites]
take the time to train him to feel safe and relaxed in there
The answer to this is cheese. For the first few days before you use it, sprinkle some shredded cheese on the carrier. What you lose in noxious dog farts you make up for in getting the dog to believe the carrier is a magical land of cheese-filled enchantment.
posted by phunniemee at 11:05 AM on May 24, 2013 [9 favorites]
The answer to this is cheese. For the first few days before you use it, sprinkle some shredded cheese on the carrier. What you lose in noxious dog farts you make up for in getting the dog to believe the carrier is a magical land of cheese-filled enchantment.
posted by phunniemee at 11:05 AM on May 24, 2013 [9 favorites]
You say he wouldn't be caught dead in a stroller, do you mean a baby stroller or a special pet stroller, because if I had to schlep a 35 pound ANYTHING, I'd want it on wheels.
If the whole thing doesn't meet with the 'cool factor' perhaps jazz it up with skull decals or something.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 11:13 AM on May 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
If the whole thing doesn't meet with the 'cool factor' perhaps jazz it up with skull decals or something.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 11:13 AM on May 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
You know your dog better than anyone, but keep in mind that BART is very loud even for humans, and it has the potential to seriously freak out some dogs. It also might not get you all that close to whichever woods you're trying to get to. These excursions might be a good deal simpler and more pleasant for all involved with a Zipcar or City Car Share membership.
(I know it is possible to do some hiking via public transit in the bay area, but whether it's very workable with an overweight pug is important to consider.)
posted by juliapangolin at 11:18 AM on May 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
(I know it is possible to do some hiking via public transit in the bay area, but whether it's very workable with an overweight pug is important to consider.)
posted by juliapangolin at 11:18 AM on May 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
You can also just get a collapsible hand cart and use a regular crate. They make soft-sided travel crates that collapse for storage.
posted by barnone at 11:37 AM on May 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by barnone at 11:37 AM on May 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
It seems to be pretty easy these days to get one's dog certified as a service dog. You could always try this route; then, you won't need a crate.
posted by AlliKat75 at 12:40 PM on May 24, 2013
posted by AlliKat75 at 12:40 PM on May 24, 2013
Also be aware that comfortable exertion for human being on a hot summer day can be fatal for a dog as they have a very limited ability to cool themselves.
posted by srboisvert at 1:48 PM on May 24, 2013
posted by srboisvert at 1:48 PM on May 24, 2013
Response by poster: Thank you everyone for the great responses! He has limited ability for a lot of things, which is why for the cart, so he can still go adventuring.
Here's a picture of Herbie in Dolores Park. Should've posted that to begin with. Sorry about that!
You can't really see his size there.
posted by onanon at 2:00 PM on May 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Here's a picture of Herbie in Dolores Park. Should've posted that to begin with. Sorry about that!
You can't really see his size there.
posted by onanon at 2:00 PM on May 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Please, get him a wheely cart and post a picture. It's very important for Reasons!
(What about getting a little wagon for him? With a little blanket?)
posted by windykites at 3:01 PM on May 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
(What about getting a little wagon for him? With a little blanket?)
posted by windykites at 3:01 PM on May 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
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posted by BenPens at 10:50 AM on May 24, 2013