Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everyone. Jake needs a stroller! This will enable us to journey further from home to keep things new and exciting. I would love feedback as to which one to buy. We live in the country. I realize I won't be able to be in the woods on rough trails. However, I have lots of class 6 roads by me (aren't town maintained and are not real smooth but not too bad either). I'd love to get a stroller that I could take on the Class 6 roads, as well as the better paved/dirt roads. Jake is 61 pounds. I'd need to latch him in because he'd jump out I'm sure if he wasn't. My intent is to let him run and play, just not the whole way. Any advice is appreciated! PS Are there strollers that have the super duty wheels? Jerry has the Solvit Houndabout ll dog stroller . I want to be sure before I buy...Is there another that is as good but more streamlined? Is this the one with the most heavy duty wheels?
Don't miss the various user-submitted stroller reviews in the Gear blog .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jake is getting a chariot!!!
I can't help you with the big dog stroller as my 'fleet' of strollers are for small dogs.
But one bit of advice if you get one with pneumatic wheels (air filled). Invest in some tire liners and some puncture resistant tubes. One of my strollers has pneumatic tires and while out on a neighborhood walk one day I punctured two of the three tires. Since I've upgrades all three wheels I haven't had any problems.
Come to think of it I'm not sure big dog strollers
come with anything but pneumatic tires. Just for reference my other stroller (yes, my fleet is 2 
) has those hard plastic wheels. While they won't puncture the stroller with the pneumatic wheels is easier to push.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
We really love the Solvit for Wyatt and I'm confident it will work well on your unmaintained roads (we used to live off of one in the Colorado mountains so I know what you are describing). Right now we are pushing Wyatt around on our friend's big property and the stroller doesn't have a problem going off-road. It also comes with a tie-in for a dog. Keep in mind that you need to buy the stroller conversion kit in order for it to be used as a stroller, not just a bicycle trailer.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Connie! I'm just throwing this idea out there - what about a wagon? When I saw Jerry's recent post about the stroller, I started thinking about getting one for Griffin because pulling the wagon for long periods of time doesn't feel great and I don't like having Griffin behind me. But I wasn't sure if he would like be closed in and I worried about storage in my apartment. And then today I saw a wagon that you can either push like a stroller or pull - who knew they made them like that? I know Griffin would definitely prefer to lay down while riding (he doesn't sit up in the car, either!), and since he is already accustomed to the wagon, this is simply an upgrade. I know you said you'd need a attachment since Jake would jump out, but I'd bet you could rig something to the frame of the wagon. Anyway, here's a link to the foldable wagon that I just purchased that has all terrain wheels, a brake, and a canopy (so cute!) in case you want to consider an out of the box idea. Good luck with whatever you decide to purchase - I know Jake will love being able to go out on long walks with you again! 
Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
We love the Solvit too. Highly recommend it!! It served three of our dogs well. See our review here.
xoxo,
Martha
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Stacy said
...here's a link to the foldable wagon that I just purchased that has all terrain wheels...
Senior Tripawd Henry loved his all-terrain wagon too. Read his review here:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, Jerry! I remember reading that review a while back. That wagon is a pull only version (I think) with all terrain wheels. The wagon I just purchased has both an adjustable push bar, like a stroller, to keep the wagon in front of the human and a handle to pull the wagon behind. I forgot to mention that the wagon liner can be removed and machine washed. Griffin and I can't wait until his new limo arrives!
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
My Meg uses the Dutchdog Doggyride, which I reviewed here I've used it very extensively off-road (pretty much daily for more than two years now) and it is quite remarkably manoeuvrable on everything from ploughed fields, to ditches to hauling it over fallen tree trunks etc. I think it's pretty similar to the Solvit, though they all have small differences, which may or may not suit you better, depending on what you are looking for. The Doggyride does not have suspension for example, and I chose this specifically because I have read that suspension can lead to motion sickness in dogs who are susceptible to it, which Meg is, highly. I bought an orthopaedic mattress as an optional extra, which I would certainly recommend. It also has a strap, which clips onto Meg's harness, and I certainly wouldn't want to be without one. One other thing I like is that the front opens completely, and has a little chin rest, so Meg can lie with her chin on it looking out. She seems extremely happy and comfortable in it. Meg is smaller than Jake (around 35 lbs), but the Doggyride takes dogs up to 50 kilos, which is well over a hundred pounds. Obviously, the heavier the dog and the rougher the surface, the more shove will be required, but the buggy itself moves incredibly easily.
The two side wheels are the same size as BMX bike wheels, which means there are loads of options when it comes to tyres. I did have problems with punctures, especially in hedge cutting season, as there are loads of hawthorn hedges where we walk, so i replaced the tyres with special puncture resistant ones, which have a sort of D shaped area on the surface, which is filled with foam. I also use puncture resistant inner tubes, and since switching the tyres (18 months ago, at least) I haven't had a single puncture. There's a pocket on the back, which is a good size, and useful for carrying water bottles etc., and I also keep a bike pump in it and a spare inner tube just in case.
Here are a few (!) pics, and also a video of the Doggyridge encountering an obstacle.
All best,
Meg, Clare and Angel Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 20 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Brownie, a lab, used the expedition by Pet Gear. It was big enough for him to curl up in a ball and lay down, or sit and stick his head out. Very well made and no zippers. Also, has two entries. I got it on Amazon, and it was about 275.00.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Clare thanks for taking time to share your experience here! I love seeing where you and Meg go with the buggy It looks like the same DoggyRide in our Gear Shop?
The Doggyride does not have suspension for example, and I chose this specifically because I have read that suspension can lead to motion sickness in dogs who are susceptible to it,
This is a GREAT point! Wyatt's buggy doesn't have suspension either.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Another thing to consider, especially between wagons and strollers is can the dog get in/out by themselves, or with a little harness help, or do they need to be lifted in/out. One is not necessarily better than the other, it's a matter of your preference and what your dog needs.
A major feature of our first stroller was that with a little modification Maggie could get in and out by herself. Ease of pushing and my back comfort is more important to me now so with the stroller I've been using for the past several years I have to lift the dogs in and out.
Interesting point on the suspension Clare- I never would have thought about that. I guess I'm lucky that none of my dogs in my adult years have been sensitive to motion.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Online
Yes, thanks again Clare. ❤ Such great info and. as always, the pics of Meg are an extra bonis!!
and thanks everyone! Thos is such a good "stroller specific " thread.
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Thanks everyone for your helpful posts! I settled on the Doggyride Novel Dog Jogger-Stroller. The reviews look great, customer service great, seems to be rugged off road, tires pop off and can be easily transported in an SUV. That last point is important to me, ability to transport, if need be, in my vehicle. I so appreciate all input, you guys are all so great 
I'll post in Jake's Journey as time goes by how it works for us.
Yay! Can't wait to follow along with Jake's adventures!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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