Kennel all day?

[Nancy Sunderland]

Hi, I have a topic to bring up that I'm afraid might touch a few nerves, but I would like to have some feedback and friendly discussion nonetheless. When I started telling people we were getting an ALD puppy, half of the people were rude and judgmental--saying, "What are you thinking? Are you crazy?" referring to two things; the cost ($2500 + shipping) and to the work involved (I have 4 young daughters and two other big labs). Many told me horror stories about their most recent puppy experiences, and all the things that got ruined; carpet, shoes, furniture, etc., One young couple in particular, (DINKS--dual income, no kids), had a golden retriever puppy that was a disaster behaviorally and property-destruction wise for about 7 months. BUT the dog is in a kennel 9+ hours a day...

Ok, here it comes.... I personnally don't think it's fair to get a dog, then put it in a kennel all day; M-F. I would tear s*#@ up too if I was cooped up so much. I'm a stay at home mom, (I have a BS Business degree with a minor in human development & family studies, but chose to stay home after a few failed attempts at part time work. I finally discovered that God and my family were calling me home--but that;s another topic), and I am interacting with my dogs all day long. For example, when I'm pushing the kids in the swings, I am usually also brushing the labs with the undercoat rake, or curry comb. When I take a walk, I look like a dog walker with my double stroller. But it's fun, for me, my kids, and my dogs.

I'm going to try really hard not to sound judgmental here, but I'm going to apologize in advance if it comes across that way; I don't understand why people get dogs that they don't have time for? I just read over the re-homing discussion about helping members who might be on the fence, and it got me thinking about this issue. I'm really not trying to upset anyone, I know everyone has their own circumstances, I just wanted to put my two cents out there. Please don't get mad at me and post angry comments, (I WILL cry...)

I hope that my post has been tactful and non-judgmental, as that was my aim.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Mine likes to sort the laundry.

[GBK]

Mine too, especially the sock pile......

[Leslie and Halas]

Halas does not dust or mop on his own, but he could BE a dust mop, if I want to push him around on the tile floor. But then I'd just have to pick more debris off of him, so it would probably backfire.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Don't forget furniture re-designers, mops (Ned anyway), or pillow fluffer outers. Then there are certainly gardening dogs - a whole 'nother career choice! Some dogs even have pets of their own like lizards and snails - that they love to share with you when you arrive home! Mine may sleep a lot when I am home or gone, but they do try to fit remodeling into their busy schedules. They are so modest, they never want to take credit for their re-designing efforts and certainly don't expect to get paid.

[Nancy Sunderland]

Yes, my 11 week old puppy also sleeps in a crate by my bed at night, with no crying!!! =)

[Tamara & Giada]

I totally agree! I was a SAHM for over 10 years (so cuddos to you!!). Now I work part-time and my dogs are only left alone a few hours a week and that is only during the school year! I am so glad I wasn't working at all when they were puppies!!

[Jodi Edsall]

I do not crate my two doodles. I have a friend that crates her dog all day while she is at work then comes home from work to leave him out to potty and then puts him back into the crate to go out in the evening and over night. The dog is in the crate all the time. This has made it difficult for me to stay friends with this person. I feel that this is abuse and would rather have this poor dog put to sleep than live this kind of life. She constantly says that when the dog is left out of the crate it destroys everything and does not listen to her....... I wonder why??????? I think she needs to be kept in a crate all the time and then I wounder how she would act when lshe would be eft out?

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I think if you can spend the time at home with your pets and family that's great. There are people who have jobs that are long hours, and should they suffer not to have a dog or animal because they can't be there all the time, and the same questions can be asked and applied to having a baby? Not everyone has the luxury of staying home. Maybe they have pet sitters come in or family and friends come over and help with their animals, but to be cooped up for 8 to whatever hours a day in a crate, or kennel that is wrong. Crate training has its advantages, but not to abuse it or be used as a punishment for the dog. I still feel all dogs should be crate trained at one time or another in case of a disaster or emergency. I would hate to see a dog so stressed out because it had to be in a crate, and you had no other choice.

[Nancy Sunderland]

Thank you everyone for the lively discussion. I've never had a dog crate trained, and Sable, my new doodle puppy, who has only been home for 6 days is already "crate trained" (I think) during the nights. She reluctantly goes in her crate at night, I lay on the floor with my fingers through the crate for a min, talking to her, then I climb into bed. From her crate she can't see me, as it has to be on DH's side of the bed, and she has yet to cry for more than 90 seconds, last night she didn't even make a peep! I was so proud of her!! In the morning, around 5:30-6, I take her out, put her in the grass, say "go potty", and she goes.

I just want to comment on one subject that was mentioned. (This is not a response to the quote, I just wanted to say this anyway; the quote got me thinking) I don't recall who said it, but something about "not everyone has the luxury to stay home with their dogs or kids" (sorry if I miss quoted..) I don't look at staying home as a luxury at all. I think a more appropriate term and reality for us would be sacrifice. I'm college educated, I was active duty military for 4 years in the Marin Corps, I have experience counseling moms through MOPS groups and young girls through Care Net, as well as having done speaking engagements and leading Bible Studies. I love leadership roles. I am sacrificing the fulfillment I could have gotten if I were gainfully employed. We also are greatly sacrificing financially; we have 1 car, no cable, no iphones, don't eat out, hand me down and consignment shop for clothes, coupon clip, I could go on... We in essence, chose to lower our standard of living so that I could be a full time home-maker, (or whatever you want to call it! I'm personally fond of "Domestic Engineer"!!) I have free child care available at my fingertips if I want it, as I am surrounded by family here on the farm, so child care isn't really the issue, and even if I had to outsource daycare, our state (VT) has subsidized daycare, (we make little enough to qualify). Also, emotionally, being home with FOUR young girls, with a dairy farmer for a husband who works crazy hours is extremely emotionally taxing and physically exhausting.

The few times I've worked part time over the last 3 years, it was my "escape", it was because I wanted to have a break from being home. Being home, is HARDER in my humble opinion. But again, my husband and I have been deliberate, prayerful, and thoughtful in our decision; so for us, it is not a luxury. I do miss our annual vacation trips dearly, and I know Bob was sad to sell the snowmobile, but... To each his own! (We are started the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace program)

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Great post Nancy. I totally agree. We chose for me to stay home and raise our own kids. Wouldnt have it any other way. We would have so much more, and be so much further financially in life if I had worked too. But we couldnt even fathom letting someone else raise our children, if we were in straits that dire we wouldnt have had the children. I didnt give birth to them to institutionalize them from day 1. Inbetween when the first set was old enough I worked outside the home, but family always came first...and if the job upset the efficient running of the household I left it. And OMG working at home raising children yourself, taking care of all things domestic yourself is soo much work. Jobs are easier! Thats why so many women would rather work. My working friends always tell me this "being a SAHM is too hard!" LOL.

[Jodi Edsall]

Nancy, I completly agree with you, I also stayed home for 18 years to raise my four daughters. It was a decision my husband and I made when starting our family. Financially we have done well but I have also heard other woman say things such as "what a luxury or I was lucky". This was a choice that my husband and I made, I have no regrets. I have also worked part time jobs here and there and it was a huge break from being home. By the way, I do not crate my two doodles.
Jodi

[Adrianne Matzkin]

OMG - you have described the exact social life in our household!! Can't take girls we don't go! When I do have to go to the office, they go with me. Missed the beach the entire summer since the girls can't be on the beach between Memorial and Labor Day.
I wouldn't change it for the world! Not one second!!