Review of Happy Trails Dog Stroller Plus by Pet Gear

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Happy Trails Dog Stroller Plus by Pet Gear - Pink
By: Happy Trails Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 5
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new found freedom

On: 2008-01-20

I love this product! Before I bought this stroller,I would not leave home for very long because I would not leave my 12lb dog (who is blind) alone for more than 5 hours. Now I take her with me. I also find an outdoor cafe so I can eat out while she rests in the stroller. Problem solved! Many great features also. I looked for a pet stroller extensively and this one is a great product for the price. LOVE IT!

Lawsuit waiting to happen. Do not risk your pet's safety.

On: 2007-12-14

This review is for the 30 lb stroller, but is surely applicable here:
I am absolutely shocked that this product ever made it to market. If a baby stroller with this design ever hit the stores, the company would have been shut down by lawsuits instantly. Take a good look at the picture and Ill describe the dimensions. The wheelbase (front to back) is 20 inches. The wheel width is 14 inches. The bottom of the basket (where the animal sits) is 16 inches off the ground. The basket itself is 24 inches long with 9 of those inches BEHIND THE REAR AXLE. If its hard to picture those dimensions with a 30 lb. animal inside it, the deal is this - the center of gravity is way too high for the tiny wheel width and length. Any restless dog that weighs more than 10lbs can easily tip this thing over. Making matters far worse, and it is completely beyond comprehension how this happened, there is a full 9 inches of basket that sits behind the rear axle. If the animal simply shifts towards the back of the stroller, down it goes.

Now let me clarify one thing - I understand that it is a stroller and youre supposed to have your hands on the handles. But thats impossible. You have to put the animal in it and you have to zip it closed. Unless you have two people, youre going to have moments where you cant stabilize it yourself. Or if you let go for even a moment, lets say to tie your shoe, expect this thing to be sideways if your animal moves at all. If a dog gets up on his hind legs and puts his front paws against a side wall of the basket, it will go over sideways. If he moves toward the back, the front wheels come right up off the ground and the whole unit falls backwards over the rear axle.

We borrowed this item from a member of our animal rescue group (www.fcdf.org) because one of our rescued dogs is old, overweight, and has a bad back. She has gotten to where she cant walk as far as the others so we thought wed try this. We observed the dangerous flaw in the design the first time we tried it. I picked her up and put her in the basket and, with both hands on her and not on the stroller, before I could grab the handle she had moved toward the back and tipped it over. After several weeks of serious back pain and trips to the vet, we tried again, acknowledging that we had to be very diligent about stabilizing it at all times. Unfortunately, that kind of diligence is impossible. Sooner or later youll need to momentarily let go and before you know it your dog has hit the pavement again. Whats so incredibly stupid about the design is that there is a cargo basket underneath the animal compartment. All they need to do is get rid of it and lower the compartment. One other flaw worth mentioning - the handle needs to extend farther back. Unless you walk with your arms stretched way out in front of you, youll find yourself constantly kicking the back wheels or the axle. This a minor issue compared to the injury you could inflict on your pet, but worth pointing out.

In summary, I am just astonished that this product could have made it out of the test facility. Maybe a cat or a real small dog couldnt knock it over, but I wouldnt even bet on that. I have contacted the manufacturer, but have not heard back yet. Regardless of what they say, or if theyll pay my vet bills, this product needs to be taken off the market. Do not buy this. There are other strollers out there. Look for one with a low set basket.

Lawsuit waiting to happen. Do not risk your pet's safety.

On: 2007-12-13

This review is for the 30 lb stroller, but is surely applicable here:
I am absolutely shocked that this product ever made it to market. If a baby stroller with this design ever hit the stores, the company would have been shut down by lawsuits instantly. Take a good look at the picture and Ill describe the dimensions. The wheelbase (front to back) is 20 inches. The wheel width is 14 inches. The bottom of the basket (where the animal sits) is 16 inches off the ground. The basket itself is 24 inches long with 9 of those inches BEHIND THE REAR AXLE. If its hard to picture those dimensions with a 30 lb. animal inside it, the deal is this - the center of gravity is way too high for the tiny wheel width and length. Any restless dog that weighs more than 10lbs can easily tip this thing over. Making matters far worse, and it is completely beyond comprehension how this happened, there is a full 9 inches of basket that sits behind the rear axle. If the animal simply shifts towards the back of the stroller, down it goes.

Now let me clarify one thing - I understand that it is a stroller and youre supposed to have your hands on the handles. But thats impossible. You have to put the animal in it and you have to zip it closed. Unless you have two people, youre going to have moments where you cant stabilize it yourself. Or if you let go for even a moment, lets say to tie your shoe, expect this thing to be sideways if your animal moves at all. If a dog gets up on his hind legs and puts his front paws against a side wall of the basket, it will go over sideways. If he moves toward the back, the front wheels come right up off the ground and the whole unit falls backwards over the rear axle.

We borrowed this item from a member of our animal rescue group (www.fcdf.org) because one of our rescued dogs is old, overweight, and has a bad back. She has gotten to where she cant walk as far as the others so we thought wed try this. We observed the dangerous flaw in the design the first time we tried it. I picked her up and put her in the basket and, with both hands on her and not on the stroller, before I could grab the handle she had moved toward the back and tipped it over. After several weeks of serious back pain and trips to the vet, we tried again, acknowledging that we had to be very diligent about stabilizing it at all times. Unfortunately, that kind of diligence is impossible. Sooner or later youll need to momentarily let go and before you know it your dog has hit the pavement again. Whats so incredibly stupid about the design is that there is a cargo basket underneath the animal compartment. All they need to do is get rid of it and lower the compartment. One other flaw worth mentioning - the handle needs to extend farther back. Unless you walk with your arms stretched way out in front of you, youll find yourself constantly kicking the back wheels or the axle. This a minor issue compared to the injury you could inflict on your pet, but worth pointing out.

In summary, I am just astonished that this product could have made it out of the test facility. Maybe a cat or a real small dog couldnt knock it over, but I wouldnt even bet on that. I have contacted the manufacturer, but have not heard back yet. Regardless of what they say, or if theyll pay my vet bills, this product needs to be taken off the market. Do not buy this. There are other strollers out there. Look for one with a low set basket.

Stroller is great but nothing inside to attach leash/harness to

On: 2007-06-09

I love the stroller...the only complaint I have is that there is no attachment within the stroller to secure the dog by leash or harness. I have sort of rigged up something that works...but it really should have been manufactured with this in mind...the only other safe option would be to have the stroller closed at all times while the dog is in it (webbed netting zippered shut).

Now in Pink...

by: castlebooknook On: 2006-09-10

Since my new kitten Meesa loves to run outside the minute we open the door, I felt she was adventurous enough to venture outside in a stroller. She also cries when I leave her alone and so the only solution seems to be to take her with me when I leave the house to go walking or to go get the mail.

Both cats were very curious about this new object as it sat in the living room. I pretended it didnt exist for a few days and then started to put each cat in the stroller and left the zipper panel open so they could get in and out and not feel trapped. Once you go outside you will appreciate the safety the zipper panel provides. Your cat will be spared the inconvenience of being chased by dogs, that type of thing.

So, after a few days, Meesa was ready to go outside. Since she was used to the stroller, she felt safe. I put her mouse toy in the stroller and lined the base with a soft towel. We then ventured out to get the mail. She was in bliss. Not only could she view everything from the safety of her mesh viewing window, she could also see me through the top opening and see out the sides. So, no matter if she was sitting, laying down or looking back at me, she felt safe.

My main concern was that being in a stroller would cause her too much stress. I know how cats seem to dislike suddenly being put in new environments. It seems Meesa is rather adventurous.

The Happy Trails Pet Stroller Features: Shock absorbers in the front wheels, 4 Pet viewing windows, Front Entry with Zipper, Waterproof Material, Top opening to view pet and a One-Hand Fold Mechanism for folding the stroller easily in half.

If you are taking the stroller with you on a trip, it will store flat. Unfolds again in an instant. You will also enjoy the Ergonomic handle.

Other features for your convenience:

Parent-Tray for water/keys, leash, etc.

Waterproof tray on the inside base of stroller - can be removed for cleaning

Large storage basket - You could use this for going on a picnic and taking lunch if you are heading to a park. Also useful if walking down to the mailbox or for carrying around cat toys or other kitten luxuries.

The only thing I was worried about when I ordered this stroller was the handlebar. I wasnt sure if it was expandable. This might be an issue if you are very tall or want to stand further back from the stroller. I found I could easily push the stroller from the side while walking or walk behind the stroller without any problem. They could improve this item by allowing the user to adjust the handle bar position and length.

Assembly: To assemble this item all you do is take the stroller out of the box and then you attach the wheels. Now, if only the instructions matched what is in the box. Fortunately it was easy enough to figure out, although I do think they need to update assembly instructions for the wheels immediately if not sooner. It seems they updated the design, but are still using an older pamphlet. I did not find a collet or a collet cover, but another metal "hair-pin-like" object that fastened the wheel onto the axle very easily. Like putting a hairpin through a metal bar with a hole in it. So, that was easy enough.

Once you get the wheels on, there is a tiny hubcap. Once the rear wheels are attached to the rear axle, you just slide the rear axle onto the frame until it clicks and locks. The front wheels are already assembled and all you have to do is basically remove the covers and press the wheels onto the front of the frame base. Assembly took me about 10 minutes max.

Suitable for pets up to 33 lbs - cats and dogs or Id imagine other pets who love to get out of the house now and then.

Very lightweight - easy to push with one hand

8" wheels - Perfect on rugged terrain and the shock absorbers make the ride
more comfortable.

Fully lined canopy made from 600 Denier waterproof material - walk rain or shine.

Easy to store, fold or take with you when you travel

Replaceable parts - See the website for customer service.

To minimize wear and tear, they suggest you keep all moving parts in the wheels lubricated with WD40, but they make a note about not lubricating the brake components or swivel locks.

For Pets Only - perfect for older pets, new kittens, puppies, small dogs and other small animals.

My new kitten and I love this stroller and I think you will enjoy this product. Now I look forward to going outside for more walks because I dont have to worry about Meesa getting lonely. She likes to be within 4 feet of wherever I am these days and follow me around like a puppy. She is currently sleeping on the desk in her comfy kitten bed. Eventually Ill train Meesa to deal with a leash so she can get out of the stroller when we arrive at our destination.

Most pleased with this purchase!

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Update: Kitten Meesa now gets into the stroller herself and will cry for me to take her out. She is getting too smart! :)

Great Dog Stroller

On: 2006-08-25

The Happy Trails Dog Stroller Plus is fantastic. It is light weight, compact, and opens and closes easily. Best of all, my little Maltese loves it!

great stroller

On: 2006-08-07

This stroller is both easy to use and eye catching. Its a delight to take my aging dog with me now when I go out and about. She enjoys the outings and the comfort.