Should there be a dog sex ed class?

Question

We all know how many people are misinformed out there about dog reproduction. It's scary the types of questions that get asked, and most of the time we just tell these people to get their dogs spayed and neutered.

But, do you think this is sort of like telling all teenagers to practice abstinence? And not giving them the facts about sex, pregnancy and parenting?

Because, maybe it would help these people breed more responsibly if they knew what they were getting into. You know how they show the video of the woman giving birth and it scares a lot of kids into waiting to have sex? Maybe we need to show videos of dogs having stillborn puppies, and all the other horrific things that can happen?

The class is for people to learn about dog reproduction... it's not a class that dogs go to so that they can learn how to reproduce.

None of you think this is a good idea? There is a question at least 20 times a day saying "how do I know if my dog is pregnant?" How about the one yesterday "Should I take my dog to the vet, 7 out of 8 of her puppies have died?" And you think people people aren't seriously under-educated?

Cindy, I think we lure them into the class with pictures of cute goldenoodles and cavoodles and cockaneses. These people can't resist puppies! Then we lock them inside and hit them with the hard facts.

Answer 1

Excellent idea, the problem is how many of the BYBs would avail themselves of the opportunity? Sex Ed in school is pretty much compulsory.

The Basset Hound Club of America has actually started to build a comprehensive education program covering a wide range of subjects, which is called Basset Hound University. The template for these courses is being made available to other parent clubs, in the hopes that they will be able to use our courses as a basis for building their own education programs.
http://www.bhca-bhu.org/Courses.htm

Although there isn't yet one on the "mechanics" of breeding, there is one on things that breeders should know before starting.
http://www.bhca-bhu.org/301.htm

Of course, there are LOTS of excellent books on general breeding, but none of the BYBs can be bothered to actually get one and read it.
http://www.dogwise.com/Browse/SubCatList.cfm?SubCat=Breeding

Answer 2

I think the basis of your idea has merit, however you'll be hard pressed into getting people to attend.

A brochure when purchasing a dog either at the vets or with a pet store should be given out, outlining the costs involved in breeding a little of puppies, and the benefits of desexing should suffice.

The unfortunate thing is that people will still breed from their poor animals no matter what, because they think it's a good way to earn some money, and as you said, who can resist puppies?

Personally, I think the way to combat SOME of the backyard breeding is to stop the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores (they're trying to bring it in as legislation in New South Wales) and hopefully people will tire of trying to sell puppies and kittens through newspapers, as it's not as easy as what it would be just handing them over to a pet store for $50 - $100 a piece.

Answer 3

Yup, I agree. There should be a way to educate people on this sort of thing. The down side to this is that when you start showing this type of video, that might depict what can truly go wrong, you will get tons of folks accusing you of being a "Peta freak" for showing such things and saying the videos are "staged" to make people more sympathetic. Thus, this makes others think that maybe it's not all that bad. I say this with the thought of puppy mill videos that can be found all over the web and people saying they are staged and not legit.

Answer 4

Actually, I think an overall dog ownership class should be offered by kennel clubs and shelters everywhere. It is not just reproduction that people are uninformed about. Yes, the "what horrors can occur when breeding" should be included, but so should things like chocolate and antihistimine toxicity, when yu really DO need to take your dog to a vet, and proper nutrition. These are all common questions asked, and that says to me that people just don't know because no one ever took time to teach them. They might not be as offended if they are educated BEFORE they have already have made a foolish or dangerous decision for the dog.

Answer 5

Perhaps not a class, but a video should be made to show to dog owners. Maybe a 5-10 minute video to show the reproductive stuffs of a dog and how a dog goes about reproducing. This will help the owners better understand the process.

Answer 6

Very good idea and very good comparison. You are right...when someone says something about breeding their dog...answerer's immediately say "neuter/spay"! it's like saying to teenagers...don't' have sex...just because! I think letting someone see a video of a bad whelping and a good whelping is a good idea. Giving stats of how many litters live, puppy's in a litter live, birth defetcs...ect would help as well. I don't think people really understand the risk they are putting their pet when breeding. There is a lot to know and I don't think everyone really knows that. Showing them would help explain instead of preaching

Answer 7

Actually, I've attended several dog reproduction classes given by various kennel clubs. Heck, I even have a couple of dvds and VHS tapes of them.

Personally, there's nothing quite like having your b*tch give birth to a mummified puppy, or worse yet, one that died a few days before birth and is decomposing (yeah, and she's danged upset you're TAKING her puppy when you wrap it up to dispose of). The pup born with a cleft palate or other issue that must be euthanized. The pup born not breathing and needing assistance (resuscitating is a SKILL, I've personally resuscitated a dozen or so pups- 2 of which have gone on to become multi- BISS winners) The emergency c-section, the loss off the dam and then needing to bottle feed pups.

Of course, all of that assumes people actually even give a hoot. I think that's probably stretching it a bit. For many, dogs are disposable property... and in this throwaway society where its easier to buy a new toaster than to fix the one you have.. they've grown up with the mentality of "why bother?". Add on to that the fact that in the last 50 years this society, in general, has lost even the most basic of animal husbandry skills... and its an uphill battle.

Assisting a whelping b*tch and pups when there are issues is a learned skill. Its only through education and experience that people become competant at it. Its taking the time to learn from as many sources as possible, finding a mentor and offering to assist in a whelping (I had someone fly in from Denver to assist/watch me whelp my last litter... I've flown cross-country to assist a novice whelp a litter).

People don't bother to learn about birthing and raising children successfully.. perhaps we're asking too much to have them consider being responsible for the pups they've caused to come into existance.

The information is out there.. I don't think they care.

Answer 8

Carrie,

I agree with CIndy, you are definately on to something. I also think they should not only watch a video, but have to also, apprentice day and night with someone who is an experienced breeder and be forced to do all the dirty work and help with placing a litter of puppies as well.

I love your idea!

We had an accidental breeding ( I did my best to keep them apart, but I forgot to lock the bottom latch on my 8 month old males crate and he got my black lab pregnant.

She had a litter of 12, although one almost died and we had to pull her out and pronounced her doa, but 5 seconds later I heard a peep and we started working her and she lived! Raising a litter of 12 is some work.

They also need to see what expense go into it.

I SAY DOGGIE S*X ED is a WONDERFUL IDEA!!!

Goooooooo Carrie!

Answer 9

One of the reasons I love http://www.learntobreed.com/ is because I learned a lot about breeding instead of just "DON'T!" I also watched puppies being born via the miracle of the internet. Maybe someone should compile a "Dog Sex Ed for Would-Breeders" page... That would be awesome!

Answer 10

I don't think the videos of women giving birth has much effect on birth rate. I know we saw that video early in high school, and a couple of years later, three girls from my class dropped out to have babies.