Just a quick question. Obviously Aramis can't go for walks yet, but I know the importance of him seeing, hearing, and experiencing as much as possible at this age. So because he is getting a little heavy, and wiggly to carry in my arms I came up with the idea of popping him in an oversized shoulder bag I've never used bcos of it's size so he can accompany me, and milo on our walks. He absolutely loves it, but today a fellow dog walker told (lectured) me I was doing more harm than good , as Aramis would now expect to be carried everywhere, and will become too dependant on me ??? Do you think she's right? I was just so worried that he wouldn't be socialised enough, as we live by a lot of busy roads that I didn't know what else to do.
Pay no heed , you are doing the right thing ! He wont depend on his ride, once he realises how interesting smells are when he starts walking , you just carry on x
So cuuuute! I really can't answer the dependency question. But even if he did become dependent, there's no way you'd be able to carry him when he's bigger. So he'd soon learn to walk for himself!
Thank you both, I felt so confused and all morning have been watching him, and worrying. Just to add he doesn't come on the whole walk , I double back after 45mins or so of milo on his own, grab Aramis then we do more street walking for 15mins or so ending with a walk through the park home, so he's not it for longer than 20mins.
I actually did this with my lab once at the beach, when we had to be out too long for his little legs to be walking. I got some odd looks but well, who cares But as MF says, he'll quickly be too heavy to be able to be carried anyways, and as Kate says, he'll soon realise the joys of walking for himself
lol I can agree with the odd looks esp from people in cars going past, or people not realising straight away he's there ! We had a rescue collie before Aramis and he was so nervous despite all our, and the shelters before efforts , so I was set on Aramis seeing as much as possible
@Katjush I also think you are doing a splendid job, I used to carry Mabel and then go and sit in the bus shelter so she could watch the world go by. I had to become quite resilient to others negative comments about my positive stance on dog training. She is now almost 2 and a half and I can completely ignore such comments, the forum helped me so much in the early days, quite often just reading others threads answered my questions and made me feel better about everything.
Oh my gosh, too dependent? Hmmm, he's not a Chihuahua! There's a reason you don't see may full-grown Labs being carried around - there's a limiting factor at play As my puppies got bigger, they actually disliked being carried, wanting to get on the ground and explore for themselves. You'll have more problem keeping him in the bag than coaxing him out of it, don't you worry. You're doing great
My OH is doing exactly the same thing right now - carrying Merlin around with him and Poppy, in what he calls his 'man bag'
What a cutie, keep doing what you are doing and you will have a wonderfully socialised puppy, maybe unlike the 'lecturer' x
Thank you, and great idea about the bus stop we have a few on our routes so I will try one tomorrow. Again thanks, yeah he's not too keen on being carried in the arms unless it's evening/night and he's too lazy to come out to the garden to do his business. Then he gets this really regal expression , and my OH says it's as if he's thinking "my servant is carrying me because I demand it, not because she has a choice"
lol glad I'm not the only currently looking a bit odd. TBH I'm glad this bag is getting some use , it was an expensive impulse buy and has sat in my wardrobe for far too long. Thank you for all the supportive words, it's just a shame bcos milo loves her rottie, thankfully sasha has better manners than her owner.
Boogie can I be nosy and ask why? Thank you Rosie. Lol as sweet as he looks he is by all I have read on here a very typical lab crocco pup.
Wow, people are so weird... and nosy. I carried my first Rottie in a baby sling until he was 20lbs and I just couldn't manage it anymore. He was amazingly well-socialised and "quelle surprise" did NOT expect to be carried everywhere later. That would be pretty funny as he ended up at 130 lbs. I say enjoy the very short time that Aramis will fit in your big purse, have fun and keep on keeping on.
My pups are Guide Dog puppies and GDs are very, very strict about the equipment we use. Especially anything on their bodies, in case we, inadvertently, cause body sensitivity. Only GD supplied equipment is allowed. When they get their jacket it's under strict supervision and with instructions on how to gradually introduce it.
Hi what a little cutie. As everyone has said don't worry about what others say - we carried Bailey around (my OH managed it longer than I did) but about a week before he could walk around freely, he was trying to escape the whole time! Carrying your pup will not make him dependant on you - it will give you a beautifully socialised dog. My sister and her husband did not take their boy out until fully vaccinated and the difference in the two dogs it very marked - my boy is confident with everyone, nosy and into everything, my sisters boy (who is 10 weeks older than Bailey) is shy of people (particularly men for some reason - apart from her husband, son and my OH) and starts at unusual noises - I would say point proved!
