1.Cutting a tail off any dog is convenient, I've heard that tail bang on the walls too many times. I would not do it with some breeds simply because of vanity.
2.Clipping ears is Vanity, I'm fine with it.

3.Reading a dog with a tail is easier to read but you can still see how they hold their numb. I'm sure pro trainers don't have trouble reading dogs simply because the tail is gone.

4.I think puppies cry and scream regardless when being born. I don't think they have the proper nervous system to feel the necessary pain. Nor do many medical people.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Much appreciated.

Brad - no offence, but fly to Japan? HAHAHAHAHAHA

You didn't do very well in geography when you were at school did you?

Thank you for brightening up an otherwise dull, boring day.

Regards

Andy

Closer than where we are I'd think. I didn't think Austraila allowed you to do that. I figured with your impressive academic credentials Doctor that might not be impossible. But then I don't know you. I could care less about your dog or dilemma.

I think I did learn one thing though, that'll be the last post you get from me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> (no offense)

The fact that you weren't banned from the board making the dog on fire joke or your suicidal implication is beyond me. The things you write or ask on this board are very strange and I find them offensive but that's just me. (no offense)

Now now children, play nice.

Originally posted by Brad Gargis:
1.Why does a dog need it's tail?

***Balance. If you're going to dock the tail do it a a young age, a couple of days old preferably. Older dogs will have to 're-learn' walking and running after losing its tail.

2.Do you think a puppy first born feels the pain with his tail?
***Yes.

3.Do you feel all breeds should not have their ears clipped? ***All breeds don't need their ears cropped or tails docked. Both procedures historically were/are done to prevent injury. Tail wag injuries and ear injuries were/are a potential problem for a number of working and hunting breeds. These days, the vast majority of these cropping/docking cases are strictly cosmetic. I don't have a problem with this at all, but if you're going to do this make sure the vet knows what he/she is doing, and be aware of the potential problems. If anyone wants to crop ears, laser surgery is a great way to go.

1.Dogs without tails don't balance or work as well compared to the ones that do?

2.I feel they would have no memory of this. I don't remember when I was circumsiced. I'm sure it would've be different several months later for a kid. This goes back to the Nervous System development.

3.Do you feel E-Collars are just as painful as tail docks, equal, less? True it's fashion but convenience is convenience. E-collars function, but a dog can be trained without it, right?

4.I think most of the Shepherd communtiy that had their dog's tail look as unattractive as it is if a Shepherd had one docked, then they'd remove it. Meaning if the situation was reverse.

This is something I will never understand. A working dog board (where people care about function) has people talking about chopping off body parts for the "beauty" of it.

Honestly, the only reason that I would have a dog's ears cropped was if I thought the dog was going to be very predisposed to severe ear infections (like some labs I have seen). I don't think I could bring myself to own a docked breed, unless it was from a rescue. A dog with cropped ears (especially a pit) is much more likely to be stolen by lowlifes and used to fight. Until you have seen what a dog looks like after it has lost a pit fight you won't appreciate how much you want to avoid this at all costs.

If you think a cropped dog looks scarier, then we've got a real problem here. I have only met one dog that I thought would really enjoy hurting me. It was a great dane, but I don't even remember if he had cropped ears or not. If you think cropped ears will intimidate people then you are only fooling yourself.

Brad, having worked in a vet hospital and been shocked by an electric fence (which I assume must have been at least as strong as an E collar, since it was used to keep horses from fence fighting), I would say that the two don't even compare. How about we zap you then cut off your toe without anesthesia so you can tell us how it feels?

Brad,

Touchy, touchy - don't get your knickers in a twist about nothing. Sincerely, thanks for your reply, even though it was ridiculous. I look forward to your input in the future.

Regards

Andy

Why do people always associate e-collars with pain? Used correctly the dog feels nothing more than a tickle to remind him that you are still in control. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Probably because too many people have seen them used to shock the crap out of a dog who ignored a command. I have not seen one used this way, but I do know several people who have attended seminars where such things have happened, including a dog losing bowel control after the trainer held down the button for several seconds when the dog, wbo had never had an ecollar on before, ignored a recall.