"Pet Loader" or similar?

[Kiltie]

I've seen this " Pet Loader" bit of kit and it looks like exactly what I need.

Has anyone seen these for sale in the UK? ... or something similar?

To field the obvious questions in advance.

1) My dog won't do ramps.
2) A platform won't work as her front legs are weak.
3) I think I'm hurting her spine lifting her.
4) I can't reverse in to handy banking everywhere I go with her.
5) I know it's a lot of money to spend on a dog.
6) Changing car isn't a near term option and wouldn't solve the problem altogether.
7) I do have to transport her by car daily - no option.

Thanks,

Eric

[Mobile Chicane]

Ramp. Plus steak.

I've never known a canine or feline problem which can't be solved with steak.

[Kiltie]

I'm afraid not.

I've never known a less food motivated dog than this one.

[bexVN]

Tis true there are definitely dogs and cats in this world that cannot be bribed, even with the best of cuts!.

What about steps upto the car rather than a ramp, could that be managed?

Why do you think you hurt her spine when you lift her, does she have a medical issue with it?

DOH!! Didn't check your link before posting!! They look like a great idea. I've never seen them used but I'd consider them

Edited by bexVN on Sunday 4th August 09:33

[Simpo Two]

This is me loading a cockerpoo into an estate car from 400 yards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9B0HBrfT9g

[Kiltie]

bexVN said:

Why do you think you hurt her spine when you lift her, does she have a medical issue with it?

Hi Bex.

A couple of times recently, she's howled really badly as I get to the point of just putting her feet on the ground.

My method of lifting her is one hand between her front legs with the palm on her chest and the other round her back haunches.

I thought maybe that her feet were dangling and I'd managed to get her toes bent back when contacting the ground.

Yesterday, I asked my wife to observe and sure enough, she (the dog) yelled like she was in a great deal of discomfort.

Apparently, the howl was actually before any of the four feet had touvhed down.

My wife did observe that the way I was holding her was bending her spine and it curved more as I bent closer to the ground.

She has shakey legs when standing and the vet has said that's a nerve thing in her spine and due to age and there's nothing that can be done.

So, my wife and I put two and two together and came up with something that might not be anything like four.

The only thing I kno is that I can never lift her like that again as the howling was just too upsetting for all three of us.

We are just away out for a walk shortly and I'm going to take a Reebok step with me to see if she'll jump down on to that.

At our usual place at the park, it isn't too bad... (<- click)

... but other places, it's too high for her to jump down.

Thanks for the reply. Might I think about another method of lifting her?

Right then, now to convince her she really does want to go out for a walk ...



Cheers,

Eric

[bexVN]

You could lift one arm under or around the front of her chest (be careful it's not accidentally around her neck) and one under her abdomen. This should keep her back straight but reduce the amount you can lift her up by.

It's hard to describe but I often angle my arm under the abdomen in a way that means my hand will also support the side of the chest that is not against me. Hope you can picture that!!

[Kiltie]

bexVN said:

Hope you can picture that!!

Yes, we can, perfectly - thanks.

Instinctively, I always felt like having 50% of her weight (28kg) on her belly wasn't so good.

Thinking about it though, it's only for a couple of seconds at a time and if it's uncomfortable, she'll let me know soon enough (I can do a trial lift from the ground to experiment).

Kiltie said:

We are just away out for a walk shortly and I'm going to take a Reebok step with me to see if she'll jump down on to that.

It wasn't a great success. (<- click)

Thanks again.

Cheers,

Eric

[bexVN]

For heavy built dogs it's not ideal but for light build dogs it's ok and actually what you want to do is take most if the weight with arm around/ under the chest and the technique I use tends to reduce the pressure on the abdomen. You are right though she will let you know if it is ok or not.

I hope it works.