Paralyzed Dog Detailed Drag Bag Instructions

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  Step 1

  Here is what I decided to use for this tutorial. It was a donation from my son, it use to be his gym shorts. I liked the idea of this material because it breaths and is stretchy. Stretchy fabric is a MUST, otherwise, unless you measurement are EXACT your Slinky bag will never fit. A big plus also with stretchy fabric is it will hold up the rear legs. I found that if his hind legs can flop around he gets them stuck on the thresholds.

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  Step 2

  I am a HUGE recycler and decided to use a cereal box for my diagram. Plus with this on the back of my diagram how can I frown :-)

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  Step 3

  Ok this is the hardest part of the entire project, getting your dog to stand still long enough to take measurments. However I did my best to show each measurement on Slinky.

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  Step 4

  Here is me trying to get Slinky to hold still while I took the measurements. You only need to get close, you can always make it smaller if needed. The most important measurements are,1- from the upper part of the neck to right behind the front legs and 2- total around the body with legs up against the body. If 1 is to short the bag will not stay on and it will be awkward for the dog, trust me. 2 is important because you do not want the rear legs hanging free and to tight and the bag will not fit at all.

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  Step 5

  Now onto cutting your recycled material. I will be able to get 2 bags out of this pair of shorts. You are only working on the tube that will be going over the body right now. The rest of the pattern will come further along.

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  Step 6

  Lay your fabric out. This is the the part you can skip if your bag is meant to be Slinky PJ bag. I had some heavy upholstery fabric and cut it to about 1/2 the size of the total measurement around the body with the legs.

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  Step 7

  Here is what the lower 1/2 of the back looks like, after the upholstery has been sewn on.

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  Step 8

  Now onto the upper part of the pattern. I like to use the bottom of a t-shirt. Any kind of SOFT fabric will work here. Remember that this piece will be going around your dogs neck so make it comfy for him. The lower part of a t-shirt holds its shape well and is easy to tie.

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  Step 9

  Hold your piece of t-shirt in 1/2 and find the middle. Make sure you cut it so the bottom part of your t-shirt is one long strip, when you get to within 2" from the center cut into the t-shirt, you will use the measurement from the upper part of the neck to behind front legs, then continue to cut the bottom edge off. Your final piece should look like this when you unfold it.

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  Step 10

  Lay the body piece face down and sew the upper piece to the lower piece.

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  Step 11

  I like to add button holes to each side, before I sew the tube together. It holds up better, this is where you will be pulling the long strips to to hold the whole piece on.

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  Step 12

  Now fold the tube in half, right sides together and sew the long edge together. I like to cut as much of extra fabric away from this seam, since it will be laying on your dogs back you don't want a thick seam.

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  Step 13

  Turn the bag right side out and you are DONE!!!!!!!!!!!! Your Slinky bag is complete and ready to put on your little friend.

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  Step 14

  Here it is on Slinky himself, I cannot even tell you how hard it was to keep Slinky still long enough to take this picture.
  To put the bag on put the tail inside the tube then slide the tube, with the heavy material towards the ground, up to right behind the front legs.

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  Step 15

  Now pull the long strips between the front legs.

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  Step 16

  Pull the strips around the neck and through the button holes and tie. Make sure the piece on the chest is centered or the tube will slide around to one side.
  Your first attempt may need some adjusting that you can make on your next one. We have dozens of bags for Slinky since we change him twice a day. In the morning he gets a bag with the heavy material on it, then at night he wears one without the heavy material since he is inside.
  I have been asked many times about what happens when he poos. Well it kind of just rolls out the back of the bag, since it is open. It might sound yucky to some, but if you are already changing your dogs diapers the little poos are not an issue.

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  Step 17

  I have tried putting a little padding in the back end for more cushion, but Slinky made it known that he did not like that. He would chew on the back of the bag to get the padding out, so no padding for him.
  Neither my husband or I like carpet so we installed laminate flooring sooner then expected. It is much easier for Slinky to run round on and play.

Comments

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Susan K. 5th February 2020

This is about how I've been making mine. We have a little guy we adopted and after 5 years at the sewing table I did figure out how to make a bag but one problem, he chews the straps off and can really make a mess at night when he is out of his bag. I started putting a tee-shirt on him but he will chew the shirt up to get to the straps. Any ideas? I've been using a heavier material around the neck but if he can get his teeth on it he will get out of the whole outfit. I can relate with you and know what a parent will go through for our furbabies. Thank you for your work to get this out there for other parents of disabled dogs.

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Enjoy · Kingsport, Tennessee, US 14th June 2015

I want to say I love you and you are a wonderful person with a heart of gold. I have 2 dashes and I love them whole hearted, Your love and gift of making this pattern. Your a blessing sharing this .Bless you your karma glows here

Recycled Miracles · Stateline, Nevada, US · 63 projects 15th June 2015

Thank you so much shug. Slinky turned 10 in January and in August he will have been paralyzed for 5 years and he is still not slowing down. Our friends and family laugh because Slinky will outdo any of them when it comes to energy. He just wants to play and chase his "greenie meanie", a green ball he loves. I don't think anything will slow that do down. I feel everyone who has a paralyzed little dog should be given directions on drag bags and a wheelchair and NOT be charged for it. Diapers are expensive enough!!!

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Recycled Miracles · Stateline, Nevada, US · 63 projects 17th July 2014

I am sorry also. Two years ago Slinky was in a bag but a very crude one. My husband designed a pvc wheelchair for him too. We make sure slinky stays on a strict diet, a paralyzed wiener dog with the run is the worst. His poo just rolls out the back of the bag and we pick it up, would have to do that if he had legs and was pooping in the yard.
Thank you for sharing, my hope is that these direction get all over the internet and maybe save a dog from being put down just because it is handicapped !!!!

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Krista B. · Hydesville, California, US · 44 projects 17th July 2014

If only you did this two years ago!! My applesauce had to be put down because she was dragging and pooping; could not afford a wheel chair… I didn't know how to heal her legs….. AWE, DUH!

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