Watching a dog slowly lose the ability to walk is one of the hardest things a pet owner can experience. That is exactly why we decided to try the Walkin Wheels Corgi Dog Wheelchair for our 14-year-old Corgi after her back legs gradually lost almost all of their function.
Our vet believes arthritis may be the cause, although we are still working through the diagnosis and seeing how she responds to arthritis medication. While we were waiting for answers, we didn't want her to spend her days lying around watching everyone else move.
We bought the Small model specifically made for Corgis, and it has honestly given her a new lease on life. The first few days involved plenty of adjustments and learning, but once we got the fit right, the change in her mood and activity level was incredible.
Here is my detailed experience with the Walkin Corgi Dog Wheelchair.
The Walkin Wheels wheelchair is designed to support a dog's rear legs while allowing the front legs to provide movement and control. For a Corgi that has difficulty using its back legs, this can make a huge difference during walks and playtime.
The biggest reason we bought this wheelchair was to give our Corgi some independence again.
The wheelchair supports her hind end while allowing her front legs to move normally. Instead of dragging her back legs along the ground, she can use the wheelchair to move around, explore the house, and go outside for walks.
For us, this was the feature that mattered most.
One thing I really like is how adjustable the wheelchair is. You can change the height, length, and width to get a better fit for your dog.
However, getting that perfect fit isn't necessarily quick.
It took me around 12 different adjustments before everything finally came together properly. I had to adjust the harness, wheel position, height, and other parts several times.
The instructions and video helped, but I still had to carefully look at how the dog was positioned in the demonstration and figure out some things through trial and error.
Once we got it right, though, the difference was obvious.
The frame is made from lightweight extruded aluminum. Despite being strong, it isn't excessively heavy for the dog.
The wheelchair weighs around 7 pounds and measures approximately 20 x 14 x 8 inches.
I also like that it is relatively easy to carry when we travel. It doesn't take up an unreasonable amount of space in the car, which is important if you want to continue taking your dog on family trips.
The wheels have dense foam construction with rubber treads, so there is no need to worry about traditional punctures.
We've found the wheels useful for regular walks and outdoor activity. They give her the ability to move across different surfaces while keeping her supported.
For a dog that previously struggled just to move around, being able to go outside and explore again is a big deal.
Make sure you choose the correct model.
We specifically bought the Small model made for Corgis. When shopping, I recommend checking that the product name clearly says Small and Corgi before ordering.
Getting the correct size is extremely important because a wheelchair that doesn't fit properly can be uncomfortable and difficult for your dog to use.
Another practical feature is that the wheelchair parts can be cleaned.
This becomes particularly important around the wheels, black leg supports, and rear bar because these areas can get dirty during walks and bathroom breaks.
We dry and disinfect the parts that get dirty regularly. Keeping everything clean has made us much more comfortable using the wheelchair frequently.
The small dog wheelchair is available in different colors, including Blue, Pink, and Camo.
Of course, color isn't nearly as important as comfort and fit, but it's a nice little customization option.
The Walkin Wheels Corgi Dog Wheelchair is priced at $340 in the US. It is available through Amazon and the official Walkin' Pets website. At first, $340 might seem like a lot for a dog wheelchair. But after seeing what it has done for our Corgi, I look at the cost differently.
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For us, it wasn't simply buying a piece of equipment. We were buying back some of the activities she had lost.
If your dog is struggling with mobility but still wants to go outside, play, explore, and spend time with the family, the price can be much easier to justify.
Our 14-year-old Corgi had gradually lost the use of her back legs. Before getting the wheelchair, her activity level had dropped considerably.
She would slide around and have difficulty keeping up with everything happening around the house.
The moment she started using the wheelchair, her personality seemed to come back.
I want to be honest about this because it can be frustrating at first.
Don't expect to put the wheelchair together once and immediately have the perfect fit.
We adjusted it again and again. The relationship between the harness, wheels, height, length, and leg supports is important.
At one point, we had the rear height set too high. Her back end was lifted more than it needed to be. She didn't seem bothered by it, but after adding the foot stirrups, we lowered the height one level.
My advice is simple: watch your dog closely.
Look at how they stand, move, turn, and react. If something looks uncomfortable or unnatural, make an adjustment.
This is where the wheelchair really impressed me.
Before using it, our Corgi's back legs were a major limitation. With the wheelchair, she can go on walks again.
She moves around with much more confidence and seems excited to explore.
We even call it her "Ferrari." She seems to recognize the word because she gets noticeably excited when it comes out.
Her energy level is completely different when she is in the wheelchair.
She goes around the house looking for everyone, plays, takes walks, and even tries to chase the cats again.
Seeing that light return to her eyes was probably the best part of the entire experience.
I was surprised by how quickly she learned to maneuver.
At first, I expected turning around to be difficult. But she eventually figured out how to make complete turns in the wheelchair.
Sometimes a wheel gets caught against a chair leg or another obstacle. We're still teaching her to back up, turn, and try again.
She has already learned commands such as "back up" and "turn," so that has helped.
The foot straps are useful, but I found them a little flimsy.
We didn't use them immediately because we initially had the back positioned higher. Unfortunately, her feet dragged a little and eventually became irritated and started bleeding.
We adjusted the setup and used the stirrups to keep her feet at the proper height.
I recommend spending time making sure the stirrups are snug without being too tight. They shouldn't swing into the wheel or allow the feet to drag on the ground.
This is an area where careful fitting makes a huge difference.
The belly support that came with the wheelchair felt somewhat flimsy to us.
We didn't end up needing it, but I noticed that the instructions weren't especially clear about how to install it.
There is a separate belly support available that appears more substantial. If your dog needs additional belly support, I would consider looking into that option.
Because the wheelchair is used outdoors and around bathroom areas, regular cleaning is essential.
We clean and disinfect the wheels and especially the black leg supports and rear bar.
The good thing is that the components are washable, so keeping the wheelchair clean isn't particularly difficult.
I would recommend making cleaning part of your normal routine if your dog uses the wheelchair regularly.
The wheelchair comes with small noise-reducing pieces that we found useful.
Once we installed the six pieces, there was less movement between the parts.
The ones around the back occasionally need to be tightened. You'll usually notice because the rear section starts to wobble slightly or make more noise.
It's not a major problem, but it's something worth checking regularly.
Doorways and steps require some extra attention.
We use the straps on the sides and top of the harness to help lift her in and out of certain areas.
She sometimes tries to go through a doorway or down steps because she feels so free in the wheelchair. Obviously, the wheelchair isn't designed for stairs, so we have to guide her carefully.
Never assume your dog understands the limitations of the wheelchair immediately. Supervision is important.
Our Corgi sometimes tries to stay in the wheelchair longer than she should.
She can even settle down in what looks like a downward-facing dog position.
Although she doesn't seem bothered, we remove the wheelchair after she's been in it for too long because we don't want unnecessary pressure on her back.
For me, the wheelchair is primarily a mobility tool, not something she should wear continuously.
Also Read: Walkin Dog Wheelchair for Large Dogs Review: Is It Worth It?
If your Corgi is struggling with its back legs but still has enough front-leg strength to move, I think the Walkin Corgi Dog Wheelchair is absolutely worth considering.
I would especially recommend it if your dog is becoming less active simply because its hind legs aren't working properly.
My biggest advice is don't wait too long if you're on the fence.
We bought this for our 14-year-old Corgi, and the immediate joy it brought her was something I wasn't expecting. She went from being much less active to wanting to explore, play, follow everyone around, take walks, and even chase the cats again.
That doesn't mean the wheelchair is perfect. It takes patience to get the fit right, and some of the smaller components could be sturdier. But those issues became much less important once we saw our dog enjoying herself again.
Of course, if your dog has a medical condition or a recent injury, talk with your veterinarian before using a wheelchair. Proper fit and correct positioning are also extremely important.
The Walkin Wheels Corgi Dog Wheelchair has made a huge difference in our 14-year-old Corgi's life.
The setup wasn't as simple as I initially expected, and I had to make numerous adjustments before getting everything positioned correctly. The belly support and foot straps could also be improved.
But once we figured it out, the wheelchair became one of the most valuable things we've bought for her mobility.
The biggest benefit isn't the aluminum frame, wheels, or adjustable design. It's seeing our dog become interested in life again.
She walks, plays, explores the house, goes outside, and enjoys family time. Her energy is back, and so is that happy look in her eyes.
For that reason, I would recommend the Walkin Corgi Dog Wheelchair 100% to owners whose dogs need hind-leg support and can benefit from assisted mobility.
If you're considering one for your Corgi, don't let the learning curve scare you away. Give yourself time to adjust it properly, watch your dog closely, and make changes until the fit is comfortable.
For us, it has genuinely felt like giving our Corgi a new lease on life.
Q1. How much does the Walkin Corgi Dog Wheelchair cost?
The Walkin Corgi Dog Wheelchair costs $340 in the US. It is available through Amazon and the official Walkin' Pets website.
Q2. Is the Walkin Wheels wheelchair suitable for Corgis?
Yes. The Small Corgi model is specifically designed to support small Corgis with limited hind-leg mobility.
Q3. Is the Walkin Corgi wheelchair easy to set up?
It takes some patience. The height, length, width, harness, and wheel position need to be adjusted carefully. In our experience, several adjustments were needed before getting the right fit.
Q4. Can a Corgi walk normally with the wheelchair?
The wheelchair supports the dog's hind end while allowing the front legs to provide movement. Our Corgi quickly learned to walk, turn, explore, and enjoy outdoor walks with it.
Q5. Is the Walkin Corgi Dog Wheelchair worth buying?
In our experience, yes. It helped our senior Corgi become active and happy again. However, proper fitting is essential, and it's best to consult your veterinarian before using one for a dog with mobility problems.
Via: (Amazon)
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