Work or Cruel?

• Work or Cruel? 2 Is Enough Posted : 1/23/2007 7:27:42 PM [linkhttp://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=555653]http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=555653[/link]   Today I saw a picture in our paper of a Malamute pulling 1390 pounds.  There was a web address to more footage.  This is a contest put on by a local Malamute Club.  When I showed my wife the picture she thought it was cruel.  I think it is showing what these dogs are capable of doing, and they are trained for it.  My dogs just went crazy when they heard the barking from the computer, but when I showed them the picture they looked at me and said "work, what do you mean?  Thats what your here for!"  Of course I would never try anything like that with my dogs.  I just thought it was interesting LIKE 32 REPLIES 303 VIEWS LAST POST LILEA STORM Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Raja19 Posted : 1/23/2007 8:08:05 PM I don't think nessisarily cruel, but a few of the dogs, looks like they were having a pretty difficult time doing it, and I can not imagine that would be good for their hips or health, pulling and straining so much, but I could be wrong. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• 2 Is Enough Posted : 1/23/2007 8:52:27 PM The pic in the paper made it look like the dog was struggling, but it looked like he was getting somewhere.  The video shows how the dogs could really hurt themselves, with the running start at it 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• rwbeagles Posted : 1/23/2007 9:09:11 PM There is a Beagle and a Toy Fox Terrier I know of titled in WP in UKC...excellent event. You do not take a dog off a sofa and stick in harness....you train and work UP to it in small increments...just like any human weight lifter with a brain does. You get your dog a PHYSICAL and x rays first. And you do it with a physically mature dog.   Simply put if a dog cannot pull it will not. If a dog does not enjoy the work he will not do it. If the owner is obnoxious with the dog at the event he will be disciplined. It is testament to a sound dog...with a sound body and mind.   It is no crueler than making a horse haul you around on it's back, or in a carriage, far crueler are the people who allow their dogs to pull on thier leashes during daily walks to the point that they choke themselves...IMO.   Gracious, anything where a dog has to work , these days must be cruelty it seems... 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• brookcove Posted : 1/23/2007 9:26:56 PM Isn't it true that pulling is actually one of the lower-impact sports? I don't think something like the really demanding WP can be done with unsound joints and mushing and carting is a definite no-no (starts and stops, uneven surfaces) but working lightly in harness is one of the options suggested for our dog wtih mild CHD to maintain condition and muscle mass. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Xerxes Posted : 1/23/2007 9:33:31 PM Those dogs looked like they were having fun to me.  I don't see anything other than work and sport here.  The dogs are in great shape and seem happy. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Tankstar Posted : 1/23/2007 9:40:39 PM I dont see any harm in it. the dog will not pull what s/he can not pull. You can tell they are doing it for fun as they are happy wagging their tails and going to see people. They are happy to meet their owners. The dogs do it becuase these dogs are breed to pull sleds. So why not gie them a job, heck if they can pull 1400lbs why not, more power to that dog. I would just hate to be the one walking him when he sees a rabbit or cat lol 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• ladida Posted : 1/23/2007 9:40:41 PM I didn't doubt any of those dogs were having fun. I want a Malamute now, that bark, or growl how sweet! Double stuff was sure joking around! 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Luvntzus Posted : 1/23/2007 9:46:50 PM ORIGINAL: rwbeagles ...far crueler are the people who allow their dogs to pull on thier leashes during daily walks to the point that they choke themselves...IMO. That's an excellent point and I totally agree. I can't stand to see dogs pulling as hard as they can on the leash, wheezing and choking. [&o] 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• dasher Posted : 1/23/2007 10:00:28 PM Doesn't seem cruel to me.  The handlers seemed very positive towards their dogs (except for the one woman, geez! [8|]) The dogs don't have to pull too far and they are given a time limit in case the dog is struggling.  I also agree with the theory that if the dogs didn't enjoy it they wouldn't be doing it. They seem pretty reved up and excited to work.   0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Bloodhound Posted : 1/23/2007 10:31:18 PM I enjoyed that video. It didnt look cruel to me. The dogs were actually enjoying themselves and if they couldnt do it they werent pushed to either. I really liked it when they helped out the pure white by giving the sleigh a little push. It didnt count for anything but it made him feel like he had done the job 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• astaracheetah Posted : 1/23/2007 10:54:15 PM ORIGINAL: dasher Doesn't seem cruel to me.  The handlers seemed very positive towards their dogs (except for the one woman, geez! [8|]) I saw that lmfao... I wonder what the dog did to warrant that loud "NO!!" >O_o< I also saw that she kept on calling him so I assume he didn't come after that lmao (not that I blame him lol). 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jones Posted : 1/23/2007 11:11:02 PM Well, it looks kind of painful to me, but then so does pulling with all my strength on a rope toy with my teeth and I know my dog enjoys that! [] 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• rwbeagles Posted : 1/23/2007 11:21:42 PM it's cruel for a dog to be this cute while it's working so hard!     0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• snownose Posted : 1/24/2007 7:56:10 AM No cruelty here.....those dogs did a great job. When that big woman screamed" Now", I wanted to hit her. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login