Difficult Scenario

[Boromir]

Now I was helping out the keeper today with the overgrown grass that needed to be cut and when on my lunch break I went to see the dogs in there kennels on my own. Anyway he has several Terriers One Springer and one Labrador, now the terriers all seem to be fine but when I went to the springer and the Labradors kennel they wouldnt come out into the run to see me. Eventually the Lab came out but as soon as I raised my hand to pet her she went straight down on all paws ducking her head at the same time.

 

Now the keeper says you have to be cruel to be Kind which is true but surely not that cruel that the dog cowers away like that. The Springer never came out but you could see her eye's glowing out of the kennel looking at me.

 

Keeper says he will sell the Lab for £700 but I said no way not for a 5 year old bitch(think he was taking me for a fool), that was before I saw her. But now that I have seen her on my own I may well put an offer in because I want to help the dog out as Im willing to take her on.

 

It may just be me that thinks this as I train my dog a different way even if it takes a longer time for them to become trained but just asking you guys what you think I should do?

 

Dont want to tell keeper I think he is being cruel as I dont want to fall out with him

 

Thanks

[dazza]

If he's hammering the dogs the **** needs a good hiding himself. Seen people like that before, big hard men when it comes to hitting a dog, not so hard when their facing another man. I think I'd rather say my piece and fall out with him rather than turn a blind eye to cruelty.

[jmooney]

Agree it's a very difficult situation. Thing is though, sadly, if you put up the 700 quid he is just going to turn around and buy another dog to replace the one he sold you and it'll likely suffer the same fate. You may help that dog but another will take it's place. You'll also have a long road ahead if the dog is as bad off as you say. I'd be very wary especially if you have children at home. Dogs like that are often fear biters.

[hurstpol]

I used to beat on a shoot where the keeper went beserk one day and hamered his dog, I bit my lip and said nowt, the next week he did it again and both myself and another friend put him straight and told him what we thought of him, we never went back after that, it was only a couple of months later the shoot syndicate kicked him off and we went back when he had left, the new keeper turned out to be a good un.

[Paul in North Lincs.]

there's always two sides to every story - i have had extremely nervous dogs before, that would cower as soon as you look at them - and nobody on this planet could acuse me of ever being cruel or harsh on my dogs.

 

Unless you whittness the dog getting 'beat downs; then it may be prudent to keep your opinions to yourself ;-)

 

If you do and there concerns, then you can report this to the apropriate bodies as aposed to taking matters into your owns hands and partying with substancial amounts of cash!

[al4x]

as said some dogs do cower and on the other side some keepers will treat their dogs harshly as part of training. I've seen people reprimand in a way i wouldn't but usually they were dogs that were out with them very regularly and it was only while they learnt the ropes. After they knew what was expected all was fine and funnily enough they wouldn't cower as like most dogs they loved being out, and of course were well behaved.

Fundamentally there isn't anyone to report it to as long as they are fed and watered fine and showing no obvious signs of injury there won't be anything an organisation can do.

As for buying a dog from him hard as it is but i'd leave it, you'll have a good dog but probably without many working years left as odds are they will have worked hard and from an early age

[WGD]

Have you seen either of the dogs working? IMO that's where to judge there relationship with their handler - not in the kennel when he's not there and they don't know you. A mate of mine is an excellent dog handler, is never harsh on his dogs and trains them to a high standard. He has a cocker which lies on its back and pees whenever he goes in the kennel. Get her out and she goes like a train and is as bouncy and happy a dog as you could hope to find.

 

Harsh treatment is not excusable, but there are many other reasons the dogs behaved the way the did.

[Tam]

My Lab acts strange & sometimes will not come out the kennel to strangers! He was a keepers dog for the first four years of his life & we happened to meet his old owner last month - the dog went to him & seemed happy but never took his eye off me & the guy said "I know who his master is now" When he's with me it never shows but if im out of sight certain accents (not that of his old owner) frighten him