Does anyone know where I can get more information specifically on tail docking? I would like information on how to do it and what equipment and supplies I need. I am planning on docking the tails of my puppies myself. Is this a bad idea? Does anyone have experience on doing this, and what advice would you give me.
Thank you.
QT

QT,
Tail docking in the UK is banned except by an authorized vet. Even discussing the topic of docking is very controversial. Just a warning before the heat inflames others to bark harshly at you :) :) :) Isn't there a local vet or your originall breeder you can discuss this with?
good luck,
toodles

I think QT is in USA (according to one of the posts)

Melody

Yes, she's in the US....but those on here are primarily in the United Kingdom :) That's why I informed her of the "local" laws. She's already been severely scolded in other postings and I wouldn't want to see it happen again :( :(

*Severely scolded* She was jumped on by people because she didnt explain herself properly , she apologised and explained fully.

Ye Gods ...we are back at school again :(

I am retiring from this board for a while ...it is really getting beyond a joke now

Melody

h

Melody,
*back to school* *beyond a joke*
What was ment by that? If you ment that I am asking questions... and a lot of them. Well you are right. I am a new breeder asking others who have more experience for advice and to share their knowledge. Is that not what this board and others like it are for??? Didnt you have to learn from somewhere and someone, or did you know it all before you started?! If you did good for you. I dont! I am very willing to admit that... I know a lot about other animals (horses, cattle, chicken...) but I am afraid I lack knowledge with dogs. Yet I love them and have a passion to learn. If that bothers you I am sorry! I am only trying to gain knowledge and thought maybe since most of you were very helpful before you would be again... and I was right... most were. If above is not what you ment disregard this post... but if that is what you ment, well I will not appoligize for wanting to learn. And I think that if it is what you ment it was a little snooty! After all, we are not all geniuses!

And in my humble opinion if people are a little iffy about what a poster ment then they should ask for clarification before they flame that persons a$$ into next week.... Just a suggetion!
Good Day
QT

QT

For heavens sake ......why the hell do you think I was having a go at you?

DOH!

Read my post again ...it is a follow up to Egohanias post not yours

Maybe when you reread you would like to comment further?

Melody

Melody,
I am sorry that I thought perhaps you were having a go at me. But its just that alot of people on here have been and I guess I am a little (well OK a lot) defensive because of it. So sorry to go at you like that. I forgot that she is a teacher. Anyway please disregard all that I said. I will try not to be so hot seated in the future. :) I need to cool off a little then try all this again. I guess I am still trying to put the flames out from the last time someone lit my a$$. Sorry again!!!!!:(

no problem

Melody

I would imagine QT that your are uysing New Posts to read the messages, where all messages line up in time order one after the other. In active topics the messafges stagger under the post that they are replying to, so it is easier to tell who mis being spoken to.

I use the New Posts section as it makes reading posts quicker, but if am unsure I hit the link for the topic, and then can see the posts in their proper order.

Just for the record I have no strong views on docking either way. I like a neat rear end, so have a curly tailed breed, best of both worlds, LOL :D

Thanks Brainless (who the heck allowed you to have that nick? :D )

Once you stated it , it became obvious why QT thought I was replying to her post

Doh! me

Melody :)

Melody,
Why get so upset when I answered QT's query with a few pertinent, but basic facts???
Yes, she really got flamed in the past and rather unjustly in my opinion. She was new and "didn't explain herself fully" yet really got slammed by some members on here. They did not ask for further information before taking it upon themselves to become snarly, caustic, sarcastic, and just plain mean! It was very uncalled for. And I still don't like it :( Frankly, I'm surprised that QT survived and is still on here. You go girl! ;)

As for back to school.... Yep, it's the second day here and the kids are bouncing off of the ceilings in the classrooms!!! :) :) :)

I'm not certain what you meant by a "joke." Has it ever been? I guess I was lost when everyone was laughing about it :D :D :D Clueless me, as usual ;)
toodles


Curious note: Why should it be considered right and proper for her to apologise for not going into exact detail? As we all agree, she was new. Shouldn't it be upon the "oldsters" to make amends for being so extreme to a newbie?

QT, I used to breed Aussies, and I highly recommend that you only have the pups done by a vet, too many questions will be asked, and if you do them yourself and then get an infection or something in the stumps, what are you going to do then?

Hi QT

Don't do it yourself - first time anyway.

If you feel you must remove bits of any future innocent little puppies :) then get a vet or someone who is experienced to show you how.

Christine
Now, seeing how anti-docking I am wasn't that a nice friendly reply :)

QT please let a Vet do it.

You must get a vet to do it especially as their tails are soooooooo short.
I have heard of puppies that have had rectal damage and spinal damage due to being docked too short {not saying that anyone with longer docked breeds should do it themselves}

OK, thank you everyone. I was planning on having the vet teach me before I did it myself. Just was wondering about people who had... but seeing your laws I guess it was a wasted question. I will talk to my vet further on this subject. Just thought that since we dock our own lambs it might be similar. I understand the need for docking since we had an Aussie years ago (before the AKC recognized them) and he wasnt docked. His tail was always matted and full of burrs... what a mess! Anyway, thank you all for the help and suggestions. And for being kind... even if you disagree with the practice :D! Oh, and here in the US (dont know about there) an Aussie can not be registered if its tail is more than 4 inches long... so docking is a requirement.
QT

For those of you who are wondering how the aussie became a docked breed.......... way back when these dogs were kept primarily as a working breed, herding or driving dogs were exempt from taxes, and the tails were docked to prove their status and occupation. :)
Puppy tails in the breed come in all shapes and sizes. You can even get a natural bob tail!

well I've learnt something new :D
I thought all Aussies were natural bob tails but now I know !!
Sara

Saraw . Me too . lol :d

Beany, My aussie is a natural bob, but all her pups had full length tails. Some can even be born with what can only be called half a tail.:)

Same goes with SWD's. I had two born, one with a very short tail (hardly any) and another one with a lovely white and black tail which was about half length, the other two were born with long tails.