I need to know how old they should be to dock there tails. And also I need to do this myself. Please tell me what sort of instrument I should use and how old the puppies should be. Thank You.
2006-12-09 13:45:08 · 19 answers · asked by gettyupgo59 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The Daddy is a Boston Terrier, I have no Ideal what the mother is. She is a medium size dog, with a long tail. All 9 puppies look like the Dad. This is a stray that came here in heat, that someone dumped here. I took the dog in for she was hungary, and scared. The neighbors Boston Terrier climbed the privacy fence and sired his offspring. I was told I could find homes for them easier if I would dock there tails. Yes money is a factor. I spent 936.00 for a poodle that has run over in the street and it wasn't even my dog. I bought dog food in the amount of 56.21 for another neighbor who is to damn lazy to work, but called me and ask If I could by his dogs some food I did. So honest to God I'm not trying to be cruel, but I cannot keep 9 puppies. But everybody relax, I'm not going to dock there tails either after reading all the replies. Buy the way I'm from Texas and it's not against the law here.
2006-12-09 15:40:00 · update #1
Docking is done by the VET at between 3 & 5 DAYS!!! CALL & make the appt.FAST!!!
It's NOT cruel or mean or any OTHER BULLCRAP word that folks spout!
SPAY the damn BITC-H!!!
2006-12-09 22:36:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Docking needs to be done at 2 or 3 days of age because after that the puppies' nervous systems have developed enough that they will feel considerable pain and take longer to heal as well.
As for tools, you can't use scissors! There are tools made specifically for docking which use heat or crushing mechanisms in order to prevent excessive bleeding when they do sheep, so I'm sure there's even more details on pets. I don't know why you need to do this yourself rather than have a vet do it, but if it's for financial reasons, I think the costs of doing it properly are probably more than you realize.
I HIGHLY recommend that you not do it at home. It very easy to botch the job and end up with ugly-tailed pups for life, not to mention the higher risk of infection, if you don't know what you're doing.
I didn't see on your profile where you're from, but it's also illegal in many places. Only licensed vets can do it in the UK for example. Check the list on this page:
2006-12-09 14:18:42 · answer #2 · answered by ceci9293 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you have never done this yourself, I would not attempt this without a qualified person showing you. Do you even know how short to dock the tails? Take them to the vet and have the vet dock them if you want them docked. Why are you planning on this if they are mixes? Do you even know that you do not dock boston tails??? Read the AKC standard on this. A docked tail with the boston is a fault. "The tail is set on low, short, fine and tapering, straight or screw and must not be carried above the horizontal. (Note: The preferred tail does not exceed in length more than one-quarter the distance from set-on to hock.) Disqualify: Docked tail."
If you insist on having this done take them to the vet around 3 days to have him to it.
2006-12-09 22:06:59 · answer #3 · answered by bear 2 zealand © 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you must do it, please take him to the Vet to have it done. Tail docking is basically amputation. There is bone and muscle and tendons involved. Having it done under anesthesia, in a sterile environment is the only humane method IMHO.
I highly suggest you have a vet do it. There are too many issues that can arise from a do-it-yourself procedure, such as infections, spinal cord issues, incontinance, etc. Doing it yourself can be really dangerous to your dog plus it's illegal.
This is interesting. I just read the AKC standards for Boston Terriers: www.akc.org/breeds/bosto...ier/index.cfm
This is what they say:
The tail is set on low, short, fine and tapering, straight or screw and must not be carried above the horizontal. (Note: The preferred tail does not exceed in length more than one-quarter the distance from set-on to hock.) Disqualify: Docked tail.
It sounds like Boston Terriers are to be left "natural" and should not have their tails docked.
2006-12-09 13:56:32 · answer #4 · answered by ▒♥▒♥▒♥▒♥▒™ 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I do believe that you have good intentions here, but docking their tails is completely unnecessary! If you really feel like you must do it, do not do it yourself! Save your money and bring them to a vet. Even if you found out how to do this, could you really handle things if things don't go as planned. This can be very vascular and the puppy could potentially bleed to death if you don't know what you are doing. Let me tell you, I have seen pets recovering from surgery and it is extremly painful for them, and that is with anesthesia. If you really think that you can handle all of this (Most people can't), please ask yourself why you are really subjecting an innocent puppy to such an unnecessary surgery to begin with!
2006-12-09 13:54:33 · answer #5 · answered by Goddess 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Congratulations! Bostons are so cute! But they are naturally born with very short tails, so why do you need to dock them? And also, do NOT try to do this yourself! You could end up hurting the dogs and wrecking them for the rest of their lives! Docking needs to be done by vets ONLY.
2006-12-09 13:53:52 · answer #6 · answered by kristin 1 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Docking tails should be done at only a few days old, BUT you should not do this yourself as it can cause serious injury or death to the puppies (from infection and blood loss). I would talk to your vet and see if they would do it, and then not charge you until you sell one of your puppies (it usually costs about 3 dollars per puppy to do tails where I live). Plus, do you realize how traumatic it would be to you and the mother of the puppies to do this (they really scream).
2006-12-09 13:53:23 · answer #7 · answered by iluvmyfrenchbulldogs 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Pups are docked at three days old. You will need to put stiches in the end of the tail once they are docked.
You also must be sure when you cut that you leave the fat pad at the end and do not cut at the bone or the tail may never heal.
If you are not experienced at this you better have the vet do it or you may end up with a bunch of pups with poorly docked tails and that will affect the sales price of your pups.
2006-12-09 13:59:21 · answer #8 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Oh my God, please tell me you are kidding. You do not need to dock their tails, and you would be crazy to do it yourself. Bostons tails are never docked, not even in the show ring. Please reconsider, and please let them have normal tails. Please please please do not do this. You could kill them. There are many issues that can arise from tail-docking, even with a professional!!
You are a backyard breeder and should not even have puppies. You obviously do not have the means to care and pay for their needs.
I beg you to not dock their tails, especially on your own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Edited again to add:
In reponse to your editing, I surely hope that you spay and neuter whatever dogs you currently have. And maybe protect your home better with a better fence so that no dogs can come in and have their way with any other dogs. Sorry, but seems like some silly excuses here.
2006-12-09 13:57:27 · answer #9 · answered by LiaChien 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Honestly the puppys are way too old to dock their tales now. It should have been done within the first week of birth because their nervous system isn't fully developed yet. You should have a vet do it mainly because it's dealing with their spine and if you mess it up you could permanetly injure the animal.
2006-12-09 14:36:39 · answer #10 · answered by BikerBrat 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋