Normal behaviour for a dog breeder?

MrsTinks

Fat_Fairy wrote: »

eek why is the pup in a crate

No reason why a pup shouldn't be in a crate - my dog is crate trained and had to be partially for her own safety when we first got her as she'd have merrily chewed electrical wires and anything else in reach... (including a pine table, a dining table, skirting boards, walls and various items not nailed down...) Because her crate was her safe place she was calm when in it when left, so much so she'd go and lie in it with the door open when she wanted peace and quiet If used correctly it'll be the dogs "den"... So long as a crate is used correctly and appropriately then it's a great tool

hethmar

I think perhaps they were trying to make absolutely clear to him that he should make sure he cares for the dog properly. You would be surprised how often people take on a dog without thought. Im sure it was just to emphasise he had to make sure the dog was safe. I am equally sure that if the dog was found to be wandering and they thought it was due to a lack of care they would take the dog back. But it sounds to me that your bro in law is unlikely to be so careless.

Tell him to arrange training - find out if there agility classes locally - it will be good for the dog and for your bro in laws confidence in handling the dog and may open a whole new hobby to him. In fact, why doesnt he ring the Pagan festival and ask their advice about local training/agility classes, they would try to help him as much as they can.

Good luck with the dog and I hope they enjoy many years together.(and go to the reunion/open days of the rescue to keep in touch with them)

patchwork_cat

Kimberley - no it doesn't - that is partly why I have stopped breeding. My selection procedure is rigorous and even then I worry. A way to stop pet quality kittens being bred from is to spay them before they leave. Becoming increasingly popular and if I continued was the way I was going to go.

It is hard on both sides as a breeder/ rescuer you want to ensure your pups/ kits are going to be OK and perhaps because of previous problems some measures seem Draconian. You really wouldn't believe some stories and if you care then you try to do things so that the animal is OK. A fellow breeder has so many conditions to fulfil that her list of I will not sell to you if is silly and I feel when I read it - perhaps you shouldn't be doing this! However she obviously cares and we shouldn't have everyone that cares stopping doing something they are good at. My owners tell me that I am very good and breed lovely well adjusted kittens, but I just can't cope with the heartache - most of it from finding owners and not the kittens ( although I haven't lost one yet, know it is only a matter of time, so getting out while the going is good)

As for crate training - it is recommende by a lot of dog trainers ( mind even though ours was accredited, clicker trainer she couldn't cope with our effusive Golden Retriever so goodness knows how she would have coped with a problem dog!) A pup feels secure when in there secure area. We used a slightly bigger area with a stairgate, but she used to love her 'bed'.

Fat_Fairy

iKennett wrote: »

whoops, didnt mean to thank you for that, meant to click 'quote' - why shouldnt a puppy be crate trained??

because to me anyway, it's not 'training' to crate an animal, all that teaches the animal is seperation anxiety/fearfulness.

Fat_Fairy

It's a bit different if the crate is left open and used as a safe place for the pup, and only closed if absolutely necessary - but I have known dogs be shut in them for hours, even all night which is wretched.

Fat_Fairy

Kimberley wrote: »

Maybe they think the crate is one like what pubs use to store drink bottles

Yes, that's fantastically funny, Kimberley :rolleyes: .
I worked with dogs for years, mostly rescued ones, in all aspects of canine care including basic training (based on positive reward). Thanks for your intellectual and helpful comment.

Kimberley

Fat_Fairy wrote: »

Yes, that's fantastically funny, Kimberley :rolleyes: .
I worked with dogs for years, mostly rescued ones, in all aspects of canine care including basic training (based on positive reward). Thanks for your intellectual and helpful comment.

Sorry I was only having a laugh it wasn't meant to be serious.

Fat_Fairy

ok, sorry if I took the hump, just get a bit passionate about this subject (animals, dogs and dog training in particular).

Soubrette

I used to hate the idea of crate training but used it for about 8 months with my 'worried' greyhound.

It kept him safe and gave us all a chance to learn each others habits. It was big enough for him to lie outstretched and to turn around in and gave him a safe place to retreat to when he wanted to.

He's out the crate now but only has access to one room, the more relaxed he was, the more obviously he preferred lounging on the sofa rather than in the crate if there was a choice

I am now 100% in favour of good crate training. I know they can misused but so can any tool - anyone who has watched any kind of dog rescue programme and seen the horror of damaged necks because of too tight collars would know this - but rarely would anyone just jump down someone's throat because they mentioned they use a collar.

Sou

MrsTinks

Fat fairy - I think "bad" use of a crate is indeed something that should be avoided but crates have their place and when used correctly like most training tools can be very valuable. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing about using them with pups - but so long as it's introduced correctly with any dog - ie gradually and always positively - then I think it's a good tool and something all dogs should at least be introduced to. For Kira it was a fantatstic tool - it gave her somewhere that was her retreat and she felt safe and importantly also where we could put her for her safety without her seeing it as punishment... now she just has her bed in the hall way and because she's long since stopped eating the house then we can safely shut her in the hall if we need to.
How we'd have coped initially though without it I don't know - and before we got her I was ademantly against crates btw But once shown and taught how to use it properly then I started seeing the benefits of it