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I love Lab
Like people who work in pounds.
I mean dogs want nothing else, but to please people, they love you unconditionally, and are loyal no matter what. I don't see how people can manage to do such a horrible deed.
So my question to you is, how do you think these people can deal with this?
I'm not saying I think they enjoy it.
Answer
So what would you offer as a solution? I know dogs that have lived in a 6 X 12 kennel in a no-kill shelter for 8 YEARS with just a stroke or 2 a day, maybe a volunteer to walk them 30 minutes once or twice a week. Is that quality life?
Turn them all loose to starve or be hit by cars? Many of them were alrady strays. Nature is pretty damn cruel and starvation, being eaten or attacked or dying of untreated disease or injury are all pretty horrible deaths - worse than a quick injection.
Believe me the hardest job any shelter worker has to do is chosing who lives and who dies when the shelter runs out of room - and they all will at some point. The shelter Foxy came out of was trying to go no-kill. Foxy had to live in a 6X6 kennel for 3 months with 4-5 OTHER LARGE/MEDIUM dogs - 10-12 small dogs/puppies were shoved in each 6X^6 runs, 3-4 cats were in each cage, air crates of 2-3 cats or litters of kittens were stacked 6 ft high all along both sides of the halls. And Foxy was deemed "unadoptable" due to age and the start of spinal problems, so she had zero hope of getting out unless Siberian rescue took her and there were continual young, healthy (9-12 month old) Siberians to pull. It was just luck that I lost a 13 yr old Siberian and that Foxy had a chance to fit into my pack before the county came down on the shelter for unhealthy conditions and forced them back into a high-kill shelter. And this is a county with STRICT leash laws and VERY strict kennel/breeding laws - both of which get enforced.
How much to you donate to rescue ? Even if you find a place for the unwanted animals to live as miserable a life as living in a cage with little contact is - who feeds them? A large sanctuary that runs low on food or donations, becomes a terrible hoarder in need of rescue themselves (and this DOES happen especially in these trying financial times). And what happens when the manager of private rescues/sanctuaries passes away - again suddenly a large number of animals are in need of rescue usually and overburden an already stressed system.
There is no easy answer because a pet does not work out unless the personality is correct and that isn't necessarily available at your local shelter. My closest shelter is 95% Pits and although they are a wonderful breed - they are NOT the breed for ME. Foxy fits my pack although she was 1.5 away where a Pit would not - IT DOES NO GOOD TO PUT A SHELTER DOG IN ANOTHER UNSUITABLE HOME - you need to find responsible, hopefully life-long homes. Yes, I think some people have gone overboard in THEIR definition of "suitable" where even good owners no longer qualify and some organizations have gotten too intrusive, but the "first come- pay and walk out" method doesn't work either. Many of those dogs are soon back in the shelter again as strays or the home was not ready for the breed.
I support rescue in many ways including donations every paycheck, but when I retire, I may not have the funds to do that. Many, many people are in the same trap - they would love to help but the fact is they have other obligations. Life is pretty unstable these days even for humans - that makes it twice as hard on pets. I have fostered some litters, even paying vet bills to get the dog and pups signed over to rescue and covering the costs myself - because for many years I show., breed and sledding my Siberians but NEVER expected them to support themselves with litters. I believe you breed for LOVE AND IMPROVEMENT of a breed, not "because if the dogs can't support themselves, I can't keep them". Personally I do have a problem with people making a business out of dogs because NEEDING the income to pay vet bills or cover expenses leads to overlooking genetic problems (and that happen A LOT ... "or it can't be my line") and accepting unsuitable homes (I'm sorry affording a puppy does NOT mean you should have a puppy of that breed - and that happens A LOT). Unless you are willing and able to support the dogs you have, kennel or not, NEEDING money leads to compromise in standards. And it's the puppy buyers that suffer the torture of watching loved pets die young when they didn't have to.
I am not rich by any means, but my dogs have been my love and a very expensive "hobby" and I have gathered more knowledge and been more active in Siberians than 90% of the "professional" show breeders I know. The vast majority have never worked their dogs at any level .... "I can't afford to do both" - well show alone has lead to the twisted, over extended animals you see in Doxies and Bassets, the breathing problems of the over wrinkled and pushed in faces of many breeds and I'm sorry, I haven't seen a decent GSD in years in the ring that didn't look deformed and could stand without the rear wobbling (yet a GSD went 2nd working at Seattle although it was wobbling every step ... please don't tell me that improves the breed). There ARE responsible show breeders - but showing alone does not mean responsiblility.
Yet,
So what would you offer as a solution? I know dogs that have lived in a 6 X 12 kennel in a no-kill shelter for 8 YEARS with just a stroke or 2 a day, maybe a volunteer to walk them 30 minutes once or twice a week. Is that quality life?
Turn them all loose to starve or be hit by cars? Many of them were alrady strays. Nature is pretty damn cruel and starvation, being eaten or attacked or dying of untreated disease or injury are all pretty horrible deaths - worse than a quick injection.
Believe me the hardest job any shelter worker has to do is chosing who lives and who dies when the shelter runs out of room - and they all will at some point. The shelter Foxy came out of was trying to go no-kill. Foxy had to live in a 6X6 kennel for 3 months with 4-5 OTHER LARGE/MEDIUM dogs - 10-12 small dogs/puppies were shoved in each 6X^6 runs, 3-4 cats were in each cage, air crates of 2-3 cats or litters of kittens were stacked 6 ft high all along both sides of the halls. And Foxy was deemed "unadoptable" due to age and the start of spinal problems, so she had zero hope of getting out unless Siberian rescue took her and there were continual young, healthy (9-12 month old) Siberians to pull. It was just luck that I lost a 13 yr old Siberian and that Foxy had a chance to fit into my pack before the county came down on the shelter for unhealthy conditions and forced them back into a high-kill shelter. And this is a county with STRICT leash laws and VERY strict kennel/breeding laws - both of which get enforced.
How much to you donate to rescue ? Even if you find a place for the unwanted animals to live as miserable a life as living in a cage with little contact is - who feeds them? A large sanctuary that runs low on food or donations, becomes a terrible hoarder in need of rescue themselves (and this DOES happen especially in these trying financial times). And what happens when the manager of private rescues/sanctuaries passes away - again suddenly a large number of animals are in need of rescue usually and overburden an already stressed system.
There is no easy answer because a pet does not work out unless the personality is correct and that isn't necessarily available at your local shelter. My closest shelter is 95% Pits and although they are a wonderful breed - they are NOT the breed for ME. Foxy fits my pack although she was 1.5 away where a Pit would not - IT DOES NO GOOD TO PUT A SHELTER DOG IN ANOTHER UNSUITABLE HOME - you need to find responsible, hopefully life-long homes. Yes, I think some people have gone overboard in THEIR definition of "suitable" where even good owners no longer qualify and some organizations have gotten too intrusive, but the "first come- pay and walk out" method doesn't work either. Many of those dogs are soon back in the shelter again as strays or the home was not ready for the breed.
I support rescue in many ways including donations every paycheck, but when I retire, I may not have the funds to do that. Many, many people are in the same trap - they would love to help but the fact is they have other obligations. Life is pretty unstable these days even for humans - that makes it twice as hard on pets. I have fostered some litters, even paying vet bills to get the dog and pups signed over to rescue and covering the costs myself - because for many years I show., breed and sledding my Siberians but NEVER expected them to support themselves with litters. I believe you breed for LOVE AND IMPROVEMENT of a breed, not "because if the dogs can't support themselves, I can't keep them". Personally I do have a problem with people making a business out of dogs because NEEDING the income to pay vet bills or cover expenses leads to overlooking genetic problems (and that happen A LOT ... "or it can't be my line") and accepting unsuitable homes (I'm sorry affording a puppy does NOT mean you should have a puppy of that breed - and that happens A LOT). Unless you are willing and able to support the dogs you have, kennel or not, NEEDING money leads to compromise in standards. And it's the puppy buyers that suffer the torture of watching loved pets die young when they didn't have to.
I am not rich by any means, but my dogs have been my love and a very expensive "hobby" and I have gathered more knowledge and been more active in Siberians than 90% of the "professional" show breeders I know. The vast majority have never worked their dogs at any level .... "I can't afford to do both" - well show alone has lead to the twisted, over extended animals you see in Doxies and Bassets, the breathing problems of the over wrinkled and pushed in faces of many breeds and I'm sorry, I haven't seen a decent GSD in years in the ring that didn't look deformed and could stand without the rear wobbling (yet a GSD went 2nd working at Seattle although it was wobbling every step ... please don't tell me that improves the breed). There ARE responsible show breeders - but showing alone does not mean responsiblility.
Yet,
How long can you keep a dog home in a kennel during the day?
Drew
So my girlfriend has had her dog staying with her parents since she relocated out West with me. Now we were thinking about bringing the dog out this way. However, we both work 9-5 jobs and wouldn't be able to get home at lunch. Are dogs okay to be left alone that long? Would crating him during the day be bad? Would his bladder be able to take the occassional ten hour day without us coming home?
Thanks so much!!
Answer
8-9 hour days are commonly handled well by a lot of dogs. Puppies can't hold it that long, but adults should be fine. Usually, if you're going to be gone that long, it's good to let your dog have the run of the house instead of being crated the whole time, but don't do that until you're sure you can trust the dog. My dog has gone as long as 12 hours by himself with no accidents (no accidents at all, but I never left him alone longer than that, at that was a one-time occurence)
How often is the "occasional" ten-hour day? If you spend a lot of time making sure the dog gets exercise and companionship when you are home, it shouldn't be a problem, but if it's going to happen every week or more, you should seriously consider leaving the dog where she is, or maybe hire a dog walker.
Watch for signs of separation anxiety. If the dog is currently never alone for more than a few hours at a time, you might want to have your gf's parents do some "practice runs" and gradually leave her alone for longer and longer periods until they are sure she can handle it without becoming destructive or barking, howling etc.
In general, making sure the dog gets sufficient exercise and companionship when you are home is the biggest thing. If you and your gf often come home from work and are tired and crabby, or want to go out a lot in the evenings, the dog will not be happy and will probably make life miserable for you by becoming destructive or "hyper." Be honest with yourself and do the right thing for the dog.
8-9 hour days are commonly handled well by a lot of dogs. Puppies can't hold it that long, but adults should be fine. Usually, if you're going to be gone that long, it's good to let your dog have the run of the house instead of being crated the whole time, but don't do that until you're sure you can trust the dog. My dog has gone as long as 12 hours by himself with no accidents (no accidents at all, but I never left him alone longer than that, at that was a one-time occurence)
How often is the "occasional" ten-hour day? If you spend a lot of time making sure the dog gets exercise and companionship when you are home, it shouldn't be a problem, but if it's going to happen every week or more, you should seriously consider leaving the dog where she is, or maybe hire a dog walker.
Watch for signs of separation anxiety. If the dog is currently never alone for more than a few hours at a time, you might want to have your gf's parents do some "practice runs" and gradually leave her alone for longer and longer periods until they are sure she can handle it without becoming destructive or barking, howling etc.
In general, making sure the dog gets sufficient exercise and companionship when you are home is the biggest thing. If you and your gf often come home from work and are tired and crabby, or want to go out a lot in the evenings, the dog will not be happy and will probably make life miserable for you by becoming destructive or "hyper." Be honest with yourself and do the right thing for the dog.
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