Dogs kenneled or crated for long periods of time.. - Page 3

ALPHAPUP, Do you know how much I enjoy reading your post? You should seriously consider writing up some articles about the breed :) I think it's quite disgusting to kennel up a dog all day and all night just so the poor thing could do well out into the schutzhund field, especially during a trial. What you see in theses dogs are desperation of freedom (well sorta) and of course they will do good out there on the field. It does not do the breed any good to breed theses dogs who do not have the heart to work.. by the way ALPHAPUP, I think most people are hesitated about allowing their puppies to jump is because if too much stress strained against the unstable joint of the hip that it could sometimes causes HD. I think any smart breeder would add this to their contract to save their reputations from a irresponsible owner. One last thing... Wolves out in the wild do not have ED or HD, As pups if they develop crippling dysplasia (from trauma,etc)... the Chances are that they will have 99% of not surviving full adult hood.

A couple of months ago I found a GSD on an internet GSD rescue site that I was interested in and made arraignments to view the dog. My wife and I drove 7 hours, one way, to another state to view this dog. When we got there, the location was a home in a country setting, surrounded by a large wooded and grass area with a creek running through it. Actually a nice place to have dogs. The clincher, the rescue people (husband and wife with young children) had 6 GSD's in crates under an awning attached to their home. They let out the one I was interested in and it went wild running around the property. Obviously very happy to be out of that crate. I looked at the other GSD's in the other crates and inquired about one that looked very old. They said he was about twelve or so. He was large and filled up the crate. I asked how come they were all in crates, especially the "old" one and they stated that they did not have fencing and that it was for their own good. They also stated "we let them out to do their thing twice a day". I could not believe this was a GSD "Rescue" place. They wanted 70 dollars for the one I was interested in. I did not get a dog from there. Not because of the money and not because I did not feel sorry for the dogs (I did and 70 bucks is nothing), but because none were what I was looking for. I now wish I would have got the old guy, just on principal. Hate myself for not doing that, but I didn't. Here is the link to this "Rescue" place's website. You can not tell from their website what kind of place it actually is. I found it through "PetFinder". I don't really know if they are trying to help GSD's or just sell some animals they get for free. I have no way of knowing their motivations for running a "rescue". I do know what I observed. A shame on you "Dumas Rescue". And yes, sue me if you desire. I will stand up for the dogs. It's the least I can do for that old dog in that crate, that I did not do the right thing by. Walt Thomas. http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/dumas.html

I too have taken the "lashings" from sch trainers Of course they say it with a smile, When my dog looks at me and I'm "in panic mode" (at trial or show) He freaks, like what's wrong with mommy ? well he typically sleeps in my bed every single night, However with tommorow morning being our "first trial" he has been exhiled to the kennel outside, in an attempt to "wean" him from "mommy's" emotional readings. We will see if it works, LOL. I agree that medically speaking, not used = deterioration, when it comes to muscle, bone, and other tissues. Also noted is "environmental growth" It is noted that many species of animals, (and I don't know that dogs are included or excluded) Will not outgrow they're environment, Thus leading to limited space = limited growth. That's about all I have... interesting thread indeed.

Well duh! What do you think happens to the dogs owned by ''top'' breeders that have 50+? Do you think they all live in nice large runs or in the house? What about the females you ship them to be bred? No way! So sad.

Amen, Autobahn.

without being indignant .. police dogs .. -- please again give me a break !! yes many are crated most often through the day ... yeah .. the ones that i see are often so high in aggression .. so high in hardmness.. so detatched from the public that the only tine , aside from the practice fields, they get out is when they are apprehending/narcing-- becuse most officers do not undwerstand that you can have a fantastic patrol dog that can be mannnered and walked through the crowds yet , and this is what makes the GSD the best working dog in the world [ i have trained other breeds too] the same dog can protect/apprehend with it's opfficer ferociously at the drop of a hat !! officers also fail to understand that you do not need the highest in agression and hardnes to have the best working dog !! and .. the GSD is noted for it's intellect .. that is it is a thinking /problem solving dog -- so what value is it to have the GSD crated with deptivation in order for it to be starved for work/interaction and at the cost lose it's ability to think and have self-control ?? also many police dogs i see are piitiful -- seen many that are exhausted after two runs through all 6 schutzhund blinds !! wow ... what a disgrace .. and you call them police dogs ?? gee-- Brittany -- yes you have a point -- but as i stated exercise pups with common sense .. my post really refers to those that are afraid without exageration to let thier pups be pups/. thery are so overprotective that i feel they do more of a disservice -- pups need to be exercised is my point to allow for bone/ligamnet/ muscle growth and development .. also -- weening from mom... brings me to another point -- many peole do not understand the difference of a dog realizing you control their resources and they are dependent upon you and yopur leadership as opposed to creating a semblence of dependency which is different -- a form of dependency is as many know seperation anxiety but that is not the only manifestation -- a dog must learn to stand on it'sa own 4 paws in life -- just like a child can't always be on mom's pant leg !! and for crating .. there is a time and a place for it -- now come on folks -- many of you are enthusiats here .. i have 10 GSD in my living room at once !! most , 7 are not crated !! fellow from germany came to visit .. he looked at me and said .. " your dogs, fe,males .. intact and they don't fight and they do protection work .. " -- yes .. i replied .. they have their pack and i don't allow it -- one is already Sch1 .. other does ring sport --they don't need to be osrtasized nor crated to work !!

IMO anyone who needs to crate their dogs all of the time has too many dogs.

blitzen -- i agree -- a profound statement !! and to add - for some in life one or two dogs is enough and certainly sometimes .. two is alrerady to to much !! Blitzen -- you and others like DH have contributed quite a bit of positve input for oythers on this site -- better than hearing about all the fighting and negeative bombasting

Alphapup, there are days when I think one is too many for me LOL.

I have talk to several vets that say their is nothing wrong with crating, but with exercise.