In my household; I have 10 dogs (one recently passed on) that share my house and five foster dogs who are kenneled. It is my understanding from the replies that as long as you keep your dogs in kennels..that's ok..but..if you choose to share your life and home with your companions and live as a family..then that's not acceptable to the "board" and you are labeled as a "collector" or "horder" or..what ever insulting name you can think up. Well..that line of thinking is from the "good ole boy" era! Wake up..it's 2002!
All of my dogs are well adjusted, socialized, healthy, well fed, well cared for, receive annual vet examination, vaccinations, preventative medications and daily individual quality attention. In total..17 dogs over the last 20+ years have graced my home. Some came to me in their senior years to live out their days in comfort that they never new was possible; others found their way to my home because their next step was a gas chamber. All were slowly introduced as new comers and only one in 20+ years could not be integrated because of breed / personality / agression issues ie--mixed chow--fighter even though I sought out professional assistance.
There are people in this world that were blessed with abilities who utilize their strengths and there are those who; because they don't have a working knowledge to understand these abilities that shun them because of ignorance to the ability.
To those who think keeping a multitude of dogs in a kennel is an acceptable practice; you are the ones who need to take a long look at yourself and your practices. I feel sorry for those poor animals who live in a prison and will never know a family life.

My oh my. Somebody just shoot me please. :rolleyes: <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Consider it done <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

LET IT DIE!

Whatever works for you is great, but to talk about this arrangement as if it were normal and that all the dogs are well trained and socialized seems utterly impossible to me. I have enough trouble with 2 house dogs, and by trouble I simply mean training time and quality time.

Reposting again and again trying to get tempers flaring over other issues really solves nothing. I don't think anyone here will say that a 100% kennel existance is wonderful for every dog, but don't try to depict people who spend HOURS working those same dogs as abusers. I would rather the dog be kenneled and trained on a daily basis than to see that same dog end up in a shelter for eating his owners couch, or shedding too much, etc. As a matter of fact, I seem to remember even Ed fosters out his females so they CAN have a family life.

I am sure you have a wonderful pack, but that is what you have, a pack. You can not tell me that your 10 +5 get as much individual attention and training as they could in homes with less dogs and never have to recieve the "foot up their @$$" :rolleyes:

I can see the headline now "ANOTHER NUT CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY FOR HOARDING"....story at 11...the smell was terrible and the nutty lady didn't think there was anything wrong. Next stop an inhumane schutzhund trainer's house where the dog's are worked every day and given high levels of rewarding training. Oh, those poor dogs.

Once in 20+ years; I have had to make a split second decision to immediately halt an inappropriate nonacceptable behavior by the use of my foot. One swift reprimand of punishment to save another from harm. So..if ya only had two dogs and one jumped the other..would ya let the aggressor (a 90+ pound) just go for it and stand there giving your "appropriate command" and when the aggressor didn't stop..then what????? Stand there and watch or use whatever is available and at your immediate use. It's my guess; you'd stand there. You probably wouldn't have the guts to step in because your dogs don't respect you.
If you have so much trouble with two dogs..then perhaps you need to recognize your weakness and downsize.
Visitors come to my farm on a regular basis including foster dog adoptions, friends, family and law enforcement officials to advise me of animal abuse issues that I need to investigate.
I don't turn my back on my community's animals and expect someone else to deal with it. I've raised orphaned fox with the guidance of DNR officials. So..with all these various people frenquenting my home from all walks of life; I can only assume that my home must be up to acceptable standards in regards to health and clean living.
For those who don't understand a different life style and are ignorant; they choose to condemn; rather than open their minds because of their limited abilities or..are stuck in "good ole boy syndrome".

...Whatever works for you is great...Reposting again and again trying to get tempers flaring over other issues really solves nothing.

Schnauzergirl:

Looking for a job? LOL. Topic closed.