Opinions on this story???

**Shelteez2** · 10-18-2003, 10:55 PM

Originally posted by aly
I didn't say it was impossible. I stated I actually did think it was unlikely, but possible, so ............

Yeah I know, I was just agreeing with you that I supposed it could be possible.

**aly** · 10-18-2003, 10:59 PM

Originally posted by Shelteez2
Yeah I know, I was just agreeing with you that I supposed it could be possible.

Ah

Sorry, I am too quick to jump to conclusions!

**Soledad** · 10-19-2003, 01:46 AM

Anyone else not a huge fan of crate training? I remember my friend's mom telling me about it, and I did attempt it with Wylie a few times, but it just didn't seem right for me and Wylie. Am I alone? Everyone I know thinks it's the greatest thing ever.

**aly** · 10-19-2003, 02:15 AM

Crate training is a wonderful asset if done correctly. Maybe you didn't go about it the right way? It should be made a positive, wonderful experience for a dog. I crate train all of my foster puppies and dogs before they go to their new homes. I crate trained my own dogs for the first month or so after I got each of them, but there is no need for the crate anymore.

The benefits to crating are numerous. The method has saved NUMEROUS dogs from being turned into a kill shelter. I know this for a FACT because there are always people trying to give my shelter their dogs for reasons like destruction. When my shelter doesn't have space, the people say they are going to take their dog to the kill shelter. I always talk to them about crate training and do a follow-up call. I cannot tell you how many people have been so grateful that they are able to keep their wonderful dogs because they started using a crate. Crating also helps with housebreaking and adjusting to new environments. Its also nice to have a crate trained dog in case they ever have to be kenneled at the vet (like in emergency medical situations). Also, it makes travelling that much easier if the dog is used to a crate.

**Soledad** · 10-19-2003, 02:39 AM

The reason it didn't feel right for me and Wylie, is because Wylie was such a smart, considerate dog.

He learned all of his tricks on his first day at our house. He's never chewed anything of ours and he doesn't have accidents.

I think if I had had a less obedient and/or more hyper dog who wasn't a quick learner, crate training would have been appropriate, but with Wylie it seemed unnecessary.

He does have a kennel, and he is used to it. We just don't lock him up in it.

**Kfamr** · 10-19-2003, 07:09 AM

Simba is a very smart, considerate dog. He minds his business, he touches his things, leaves ours be. It's been like that since day one.

I couldn't imagine teaching Simba and Nala all of the tricks they know on the first day. That would be too stressful and boring for the dog.

We bought him a crate, which now Nala uses, the first day we got him. We didn't want to take the chances of getting into things that could harm him while we were gone. Not saying that he would, or he could -- We just took those extra percautions to take care of our baby, just in case.

Nala goes in her cage when we feed her in the morning & I have to go to school. I used to keep her in there at night, but she "graduated" to my bed.

Both of my dogs know the command "Go in your cage." We could tell them from the living room, to do so and they will. Simba even opens it.

Crate training or not, a 5 & a 1/2 week old puppy, being so young, I really don't think should be left unattended, especially with a young child, who is paralyzed at that.
It was totally irresponsible of the mother, and if I were her I would have been more afraid for the dogs safety than the child's. Although i'm I don't know this young child, most young boys or young children at that -- aren't too aware of "Hey, This puppy is alive. It feels, and it hurts. Be nice to it."

**lbaker** · 10-19-2003, 08:26 AM

Aly, in my previous answer to this thread I opined the idea that a pup that age would most likely wake up every several hours wanting to nurse (5 1/2 weeks?) Maybe being weaned but still needing to wake every several hours. That reason, among others, led me to believe there was something not right about the story. I ended my thread by saying "ask Aly". To me you are the authority here on new born/just getting their wings puppies. Thanks for re-affirming my thoughts. Love you.

**Pam** · 10-19-2003, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by Soledad
He learned all of his tricks on his first day at our house.

**Soledad** · 10-19-2003, 12:15 PM

Wylie is an amazing dog. Never had one like him, and I imagine I never will.

**GoldenRetrLuver** · 10-19-2003, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by Pam

Ditto. ALL of his tricks on the FIRST day?

I really don't think this story is true. But if it is, it's not the puppies fault. It is the irresponsible mothers. I agree with Kay, a young child should not be left alone with a puppy. For both of their sakes.

**aly** · 10-19-2003, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by Soledad
The reason it didn't feel right for me and Wylie, is because Wylie was such a smart, considerate dog.

He learned all of his tricks on his first day at our house. He's never chewed anything of ours and he doesn't have accidents.

I think if I had had a less obedient and/or more hyper dog who wasn't a quick learner, crate training would have been appropriate, but with Wylie it seemed unnecessary.

He does have a kennel, and he is used to it. We just don't lock him up in it.

When thats the case, then people usually don't crate train and thats perfectly fine. I'm a crate advocate for dogs who need it for behavioral reasons. My dogs are housebroken and not destructive so they are not crated anymore. I crated for the first month because Reece had seperation anxiety and would have busted through a window and Lolly I didn't trust alone with Shiloh at first.

**wolfsoul** · 10-19-2003, 02:26 PM

Alright, I have scoured the net and found several versions of this story.

In some stories, the puppy was given to them as a gift by the aunt THREE weeks before the incedent.

Apparently when he was hit by a truck, he was walking home with his older brother. This happened over a year ago, and the doctors said that he'd fully recover from the accident. So why is he paralyzed???

I've seen several spelling/grammar mistakes in most of the stories I read. It could be that this story was severely altered in it's legitimatcy. Or it could be like the Macdonalds story.

**curiosityrats** · 10-19-2003, 04:53 PM

I emailed snopes.com since I didn't find the story in their archives. I'm sure this is one they'd like to add whether it's true or not... (It seems a little "off" to me with the stereotyped breeds, young dog, and the whole scenario, but I dunno...)

I'll let you know when I hear back from them.

**Cataholic** · 10-19-2003, 06:46 PM

As to crate training...it isn't a punishment, rather, it is a tool. With Binx, I crated him for the first 3 days with me, until I had some time to see how he was, which happened on the Saturday and Sunday, 3 days after I got him. Binx doesn't 'need' to be crated. That is because of his breed, and prolly, his teeth. As a 4 month old puppy with teeth, I am sure I would have found his chewing a bit more destructive. Crating is a wonderful tool, when used right, as with most things.

Binx learned nothing his first day with me. Shoot, 6 months later, we are still working on some things....he he he...major things....

**curiosityrats** · 10-19-2003, 07:08 PM

I would like to adopt a retired racing greyhound someday. They are crate trained for racing, and adopters sorta "switch them" to house-training. Obviously my future dog will have his own crate and have to stay in it now and then while getting acclimated.

Training in itself is not cruel, but it can be abused. Any training or care method can be abused either deliberately or simply out of not knowing how to do it properly.