Quote:
Originally Posted by Nancy1999  If you're planning on breeding, this is one of the things you have to be careful of teaching at a young age. I don't think jumping is good for their legs, so I taught Joey to use the steps to get on and off the couch and bed, if he jumps I put him back on the couch and tell him to use the steps, and he is rewarded for doing it correctly. I've also been told, it's best not to sleep with a breeding female. Breeding dogs are working dogs and really should be treated differently than pet dogs for their safety, as well as their pups’ safety. |
Excellent advice and RIGHT on target Nancy!! People may get all up in arms about "well MY breeding females are my pets and they are treated no differently than my pets"....In my opinion, you are doing them and the babies a disservice. They most certainly are JUST as loved, just as pampered, just as coddled, just as supervised....but the supervision and guidance and teaching and
restrictions and feeding special diets are (SHOULD BE...) all kicked up many more notches. My pets are so spoiled, they stink! They go to bed when they want, they eat, but they also get "a bite" from us when we eat, they go out on the patio and if they feel like flopping down and not exercising in the sun, I dont harrass them to do so... But my breeders, are much more supervised, exercised and restricted, and they are all on individual diets, some get more, some get less, some eat twice daily, some are free fed,they all are governed by charts that are designed to make sure they are getting optimal care that is best for them as
working dogs,
my athletes, so their babies will be consistantly healthy and sound. They have pre ordained exercise times and they have lounging play times....and they all have mandated nap times! The pets lounge around and nap if and when they feel like it...."breeders" are crated from 1pm to 4pm, crates are covered, lights are off, no toys allowed in crate during this time...and they are all accustomed to this and know what they are expected to do, and all is quiet during that 3 hour span! As far as jumping on and off furniture, jumping is not only bad for the babies after a certain point, it is
always bad for
any jumping dog's knees/hips and bones in general, and shouldnt be allowed at all, by any small dog. JUST SAY NO!!!!....and then provide alternatives to jumping...steps, ramp, etc.