Would You Sell A Pup To A Fifo Worker?

[Cheyd]

My friend wants this breed as she had one a few years ago and is missing having one of that breed. Her SWF came to stay with us for the first few swings she did up on site but as her dog sleeps on the bed and we dont have dogs on our bed at night, she had to sleep in the laundry and she didnt react well to that. Having said that she has spent the last couple of months at the boarding kennels and the kennel owners love her and look after her really well, but I do think she is put in a run/kennel at night for sleeping.

Its not possible for her to leave SWF at home, her partner works FIFO also and is currently on the same shifts, when they were on different shifts the SWF would be at home with one of them.

Although my friend is a good owner, she is not much on training and she does "humanise" them with emotions, I would be struggling to approve her if she applied for one of our rescues. The SWF is spoilt and is used to being an only dog, she is now 4 years old and although she is pretty social, once she has had enough she lets everyone know and I am not sure how she would go with a permanent friend

I know the breeder she is talking too and I know that if I contact the breeder to tell her, my friend would know who did that and it would affect our relationship, but I do agree with Megan who said she would be very upset if she found out the breeder had mislead her like my friend is doing now

[Angeluca]

Mine working is long term sustainable work with a large disposable income portion and excellent benifits including weeks of annual leave. It is to bloody hard to get into the mines for the average person why the hell would they get out of it.

If the owner has a long term plan/agreement with the right kennel or family member a financial plan to accommodate the dog and a strong commitment to the animal then why not?

why is a 9-5 worker who has less time ?

or a pensioner who has less disposable income? any better.

Judge each person and situation individually and keep the discrimination to those who actually do harm to animals.

Edited May 18, 2012 by Angeluca

[mr.mister]

I think it's a case by case basis.

If I were the friend I would tell the breeder my situation but then have a discussion about how I would make sure my puppy is comfortable and getting what it needs, albeit not your 'average' home living arrangement. If after all that the breeder finds her an inappropriate home then fair enough, but I would really hope that they don't just make it a straight out no without discussing everything first.

[MishB]

This isn't a thread judging FIFO workers, it is a thread about whether a home is suitable and withholding information from a breeder when buying a pup.

Well you did that and it was a fairly harsh judgement. Maybe it would have been better just to say no and leave it at that.

Agreed.Deliberately infammatory post regarding FIFO workers values was unnecessary, a simple No would have sufficed. Just a bit judgemental!

[Salukifan]

What about people in the military? They often have longer and more unpredictable absences. Are they also on the "no sell" list?

If they are single and unable to provide a stable environment for a pup, Hell yes. Frankly I'm a bit amazed a genuine dog lover would expect to put a pup through it.

And I'm ex-military. This isn't about the job to me but the capacity to provide an appropriate home environment for a pup.

[Saffioraire]

I know the breeder she is talking too and I know that if I contact the breeder to tell her, my friend would know who did that and it would affect our relationship, but I do agree with Megan who said she would be very upset if she found out the breeder had mislead her like my friend is doing now

Forgive me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that you are seeking the justification of those likeminded to reinforce your conscience?

Could you A) Sleep at night B) Look this breeder in the eye, if you chose to say nothing?

Which is more important to you, the above, or your friendship with your FIFO friend?

I think regardless of if we would or wouldn't sell to such a home, we all agree that we would like honesty above all. Being deceitful in the purchase of a dog is wrong, as displays a guilty conscience in itself.

How would your relationship with the breeder turn out if (s)he found out you knew and said nothing?

I would take the course of action that aligns with your own morales, clearly it is affecting you if you have taken the step to look for secondary opinions. Just my thoughts.

[Sheridan]

So let me get this right: according to various posts, FIFO workers are out, military people are out, people who work long hours are out, single people are out, and anyone we just don't like is out.

If we keep adding to the list of people never to have a purebred, there'll finally be enough pedigree dogs to go around.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I would but only if when the FIFO went away, the dog's life was relatively undisturbed - ie it stayed in its own home with other family members that are normally part of the family unit.

If the FIFO person lives alone and has to kennel the dog or place the dog with whomever could look after it for a few days here and there, then definitely no.

Far too confusing for any puppy or dog to be going here there and everywhere on a regular basis and dogs in this situation can develop behavioural issues. We recently tried to help 2 dogs that were originally adopted from a "Free to Good HOme ad" but the new owner made an arrangement to hadn the dogs over to the original owner for a weekend every two weeks and for longer periods whenever the person took annual leave and this had gone on for 18 mths. The dogs had become very destructive and started escaping ...

Interestly enough, we at Iggy Rescue just took a surrender from a FIFO person. They were devastated and it wasn't a cut and dried story. The partner developed a terminal illness and passed away, all within the year of adopting the dog. The dog was then having to be kennelled when the FIFO worker left for the mines. The dog wasn't coping very well at all with the arrangement and so the decision was made to find the dog a new home.

I've put an update on the Italian Greyhound thread but we found the boy an unbelievably wonderful home - on acreage (fenced of course) with several family members and 3 other dogs with whom he plays constantly. A very happy change after all he's been through. They have also offered to stay in touch with the former owner under the circumstances. :)

Edited May 18, 2012 by dogmad

[happypaws]

Um yeh someone sitting on the dole who sits at home all day ... Great for the dog as a companion .... Are they going to be able to afford a large vet bill should the need arise ?

And this is not meant to be offensive to anyone in the situation .. Just food for thought given this discussion.

[raineth]

I think some kennels are really good; and in that case it would all be well.

I guess as a breeder I would be interested in the kennel they were going to use.

If the puppy is socialised to it; I think it might be o.k.

I guess as well you wouldn't want to choose a breed, or a pup, that is more prone to separation anxiety, or any of the other forms of anxiety. A confident and more independent-minded pup would do better. This is one reason why it would be important for the breeder to know.

[espinay2]

Is it different to breeders who have a large number of dogs and as such keep their dogs in kennels and rotate them through being the "house dog"? The dogs in the kennels wouldn't necessarily see a lot of the owner/breeder during that time, but then they get some intensive house time.

I'm genuinely asking this as I'm still currently grappling working longer hours than I used to (mind you its only an hour or so more per day she's without me!). But when I'm home I'm with my dog and we do things around her.

And is it different to the family that said they had time for the dog and they are home every day but the dog is in the backyard on its own except for when they come out to feed it?

I don't breed so I don't have a strong opinion as I don't know enough about it all. But I think that possibly there are a lot worse lifestyles that a dog could be living. But I do agree with what some have said about a pup maybe not being a good idea and maybe an older dog might cope with it better.

Yes, it is different from your first example as a breeder will generally have a stable community of known dogs (with a known health and behaviour history), not an ever changing one so the risk for a young dog is lessened, particularly when it comes to contracting illness. Most breeders will also establish a routine for young dogs which is consistent rather than chopping and changing that routine from week to week.

In regards to your second example, just because some other situations are worse, does not mean that another situation is 'best' or even 'right' for a pup just because it may be considered 'better' on a sliding scale.

[espinay2]

What about people in the military? They often have longer and more unpredictable absences. Are they also on the "no sell" list?

Depends on their 'backup' plans and the stage of their career. I know a lots of military members with dogs. Most have family or a back up of some sort that can care for their animals in their absence.

Asking about their backup plans would be one of the questions I would be asking and it would depend so much on the individual situation.

A single person early in their career who can not provide a stable environment due to frequent deployment may be different from someone who has a family and/or is later in their career and likely to be more stable in their postings.

Edited May 19, 2012 by espinay2

[Guest Willow]

People who FIFO for work generally speaking, only do so for a short time, to make enough money for whatever purpose - and if they can have a brilliant *other* care giver for a dog, I see no reason to discriminate against them.

My OH has been FIFO for 13 years now...

FIFOs demonstrate an ethic where cash is valued much more highly than community or home life.

Rubbish. My OH is a FIFO worker. Him working FIFO allows me to be a stay at home mum and care for our children, so they don't need to go into daycare. He is also a member of the local volunteer fire brigade, and actually spends more quality time with his children and myself that a lot of people we know doing 9-5 jobs in the city.

Its BECAUSE he values community and home life he does FIFO.

Edited May 19, 2012 by Willow

[espinay2]

So let me get this right: according to various posts, FIFO workers are out, military people are out, people who work long hours are out, single people are out, and anyone we just don't like is out.

If we keep adding to the list of people never to have a purebred, there'll finally be enough pedigree dogs to go around.

Not what is being said IMO.

Rather ANYONE who can not provide a stable and consistent upbringing for a PUPPY would likely not be considered suitable for a PUPPY by many breeders.

[Salukifan]

So let me get this right: according to various posts, FIFO workers are out, military people are out, people who work long hours are out, single people are out, and anyone we just don't like is out.

If we keep adding to the list of people never to have a purebred, there'll finally be enough pedigree dogs to go around.

Not what is being said IMO.

Rather ANYONE who can not provide a stable and consistent upbringing for a PUPPY would likely not be considered suitable for a PUPPY by many breeders.

Point 1 - Most FIFO workers and military personnel have FAMILIES and FRIENDS.

Point 2 - It's not the JOB I'd refuse to sell to but anyone who thinks that a week at home/week in kennels situation is a suitable way to raise a pup. Anyone who could provide a stable home environment or a better option than that should be considered.

I had dogs for the last few years of my military career BUT I owned my home home, knew I would't be deployed at short notice AND had friends that could mind my dogs if I need to travel for work. Not much has changed since then really.

[Paptacular!]

I have a friend who is about to start FIFO work, 2 weeks on 1 week off. He has a 2-3 year old flat coat.

The first thing I asked when I found out he was about to start this kind of work was "What about Vince?"

He's going to stay with his mother when he's out at work.

Yes for FIFO workers money can be part of the decision making process but for him, his work here in his hometown is dropping off at this time of year and obviously he has to work to support himself.

As for selling to a FIFO worker (or military now that that's been bought into the topic) I would if they had leave in order to settle the pup for several weeks, and there was an arrangement for the pup to be looked after by a family member/partner. Would not consider it if they planned to send the dog to the kennel while they were at work.

[megan_]

So let me get this right: according to various posts, FIFO workers are out, military people are out, people who work long hours are out, single people are out, and anyone we just don't like is out.

If we keep adding to the list of people never to have a purebred, there'll finally be enough pedigree dogs to go around.

No one said this - the FIFO worker in the post is single and will kennel the pup50% of the timep

[Sheridan]

So let me get this right: according to various posts, FIFO workers are out, military people are out, people who work long hours are out, single people are out, and anyone we just don't like is out.

If we keep adding to the list of people never to have a purebred, there'll finally be enough pedigree dogs to go around.

No one said this - the FIFO worker in the post is single and will kennel the pup50% of the timep

Then you haven't read the posts where it's stated FIFO workers wouldn't get a pup (Greytmate's posts, for example) nor any other thread on the same type of topic.

[Greytmate]

So let me get this right: according to various posts, FIFO workers are out, military people are out, people who work long hours are out, single people are out, and anyone we just don't like is out.

If we keep adding to the list of people never to have a purebred, there'll finally be enough pedigree dogs to go around.

No one said this - the FIFO worker in the post is single and will kennel the pup50% of the timep

Then you haven't read the posts where it's stated FIFO workers wouldn't get a pup (Greytmate's posts, for example) nor any other thread on the same type of topic.

Megan interpreted my post correctly.

FIFO workers wouldn't get a pup, I didn't say anything about not supplying a pup to anyone else in their household.

Is there a purpose to you being here other than to make snide comments and attempt to twist the meaning of what other people have said?

[♥Bruno♥]

pot, kettle...black!

Some people have balls to de-rail threads and use judgements against people they know nothing about, except the "research" they have read. Several people in a FIFO situation have replied, but you have chosen to ignore them, because their comments are logical and don't back your stupid judgements.

So what about people who want to buy a dog, then seperate and the dog spends one week with each partner? How is that any different to spending time at a kennel? At least in a decent kennel you know the dog will be well cared for. In someone's home you have no idea what happens.