clearing the air

[Bernie]

In a futile attempt to help someone that might be looking for a puppy I posted I had seen a newspaper ad and was quickly reminded there's no place for that on this forum.
Thanks to help from the administrator that post has been removed.
Sorry for my indiscretion.
Here's hoping that in the future any breeders on this forum will not acknowledge it, as that could be misconstrued as a indirect way of marketing also.

[Abulafia]

Yes, I believe that under Forum Rules it is explicitly stated that people are not to post solicitations for breeding, buying, or selling dogs.

I do know that people talk about such privately, and of course that's fine. But my general understanding is that we don't mention breeders' names here.

It is obviously fine to acknowledge that a person is a breeder—acknowledgement of profession is not tantamount to a solicitation for business—but I believe the line here is between "I am an X" and "Anyone want to buy my dogs?" (Also, I'm pretty sure that reputable breeders don't have to advertise their dogs or litters—to the contrary, most are exceedingly selective and have considerable wait lists!)

(But this was obviously just a innocent mistake, and I'm sure was recognized as such.)

[Labradorks]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I second Abulafia, but also want to mention that I think the board, as a whole, as responsible pet owners and Lab lovers and enthusiasts, really try to encourage people to either rescue or buy puppies from reputable, ethical breeders with proven dogs that do all of the health testing, breed appropriate temperaments, proper screening of families, limited registration, etc. versus encouraging backyard breeders who breed purely for profit. Of course, we don't know what your neighbors do with their dogs, but typically BYBs don't do the things they should do before, during or after a breeding. These puppies need homes too, but BYBs won't cease to exist until they quit making profits.

[Abulafia]

Yes, I was going to comment that it was likely the BYB aspect that caused a little alarm. Not anger, just ... alarm. But an alarm that originates in care for the animals.

... Shortly after I came here, I asked—mainly by way of trying to make conversation, to gauge the climate of the community—something along the lines of "do any of you supplement your dog's food?"

Now, first off, I didn't word that well. What I meant was "fresh spinach, a couple blueberries, throw some apple in?" but what it was read was "I am looking for nutritional supplements to start messing with my brand new puppy's food tell me what to get."

I got was a bit pig-piled—to my extreme confusion—until I realized that my question, which I'd really meant along the lines of "So, seen any good movies lately?," had been totally misconstrued. And then I think people were just responding to prior responses rather than my original post. I was taken aback. I'll admit that. But once I straightened things out, I realized that all of the responses were driven only by care for the puppy (and especially such a young one).

It was probably a dumb question. I had already read through loads of food posts here, had researched Lab diet thoroughly on my own, and had consulted w/ my breeder. I was trying to make conversation... but having been here about a year (I think) I have witnessed that sometimes people do come here with some pretty wacky questions or ideas. And while it's not always clear if they are genuine or trolls, I've found myself occasionally alarmed, as well.

It's just all about the dogs. And because people do such weird things, I admit that if a new Lab owner asked me if I "supplement" Hoku's food, I'd be all don't mess with your puppy's food for goodness' sake what are you, crazy?!?

[Bernie]

Yes, I believe that under Forum Rules it is explicitly stated that people are not to post solicitations for breeding, buying, or selling dogs.

I do know that people talk about such privately, and of course that's fine. But my general understanding is that we don't mention breeders' names here.

It is obviously fine to acknowledge that a person is a breeder—acknowledgement of profession is not tantamount to a solicitation for business—but I believe the line here is between "I am an X" and "Anyone want to buy my dogs?" (Also, I'm pretty sure that reputable breeders don't have to advertise their dogs or litters—to the contrary, most are exceedingly selective and have considerable wait lists!)

(But this was obviously just a innocent mistake, and I'm sure was recognized as such.)

I don't agree.
You say that being a breeder of labradors and posting such on a labrador forum is not a solicitation of business?
Are you joking?
There can be no other interruption.
Why is it necessary to point out that you're a breeder to reply to "my dog is farting", or the next or last topic that comes along?

[Abulafia]

I don't agree.
You say that being a breeder of labradors and posting such on a labrador forum is not a solicitation of business?

No breeders here advertise their business—I have never seen such (and such would be in violation of forum rules). However, saying "Oh yes, I am a breeder" is absolutely not the same as soliciting business. Mentioning what you do for a living is not a solicitation for business. That is, frankly, ridiculous.

My husband is a contractor. Sometimes in situations in which people are talking about contracting, he will give his opinion or advice. Is he soliciting business? No. Because he's too damned busy as he is. His offering of advice or experience or perspective is not the solicitation of business.

I am a professional who is paid for my expertise. I frequently give my opinions about matters within the areas of my expertise. I give these in public, and in online formats that are specific to my field. This is not a solicitation for business, as I already have a job and do not have time or interest in freelance work.

The only way I can imagine that you interpret a breeder saying "Oh, I'm a breeder" as a solicitation of business is that you don't understand that responsible breeders do not breed for profit. Responsible breeders may break even. And they always have long waiting lists. I have never, in fact, witnessed a responsible breeder solicit business. And in fact, I'd consider the solicitation of business by a breeder a huge red flag.

There can be no other interruption.

Interpretation? If you really mean "interruption," then I am misunderstanding your use of the word. If you mean "interpretation," I obviously disagree.

Why is it necessary to point out that you're a breeder to reply to "my dog is farting", or the next or last topic that comes along?

No one mentioned being a breeder in that post. Are you just making things up? This is confusing.

[Bernie]

No breeders here advertise their business—I have never seen such (and such would be in violation of forum rules). However, saying "Oh yes, I am a breeder" is absolutely not the same as soliciting business. Mentioning what you do for a living is not a solicitation for business. That is, frankly, ridiculous.

well, we agree on one thing; that statement is ridiculous.

[Abulafia]

It would appear to the casual reader that you started this thread not to clear the air, but to pick a quarrel with anyone who does not agree with you.

[Bernie]

It would appear to the casual reader that you started this thread not to clear the air, but to pick a quarrel with anyone who does not agree with you.

It appears that you're the one that wants to quarrel; picking out a typo error, using my hypothetical example of posts and saying "no one mentioned a breeder there", if you prefer I'll wait for the next one to come down the road and send it to you, I've seen many!

"Mentioning what you do for a living is not a solicitation for business. That is, frankly, ridiculous."
Allow me to give an off-topic example:
I go to the car dealership to pick up parts, stop in the waiting room, chat up the 3 or 4 customers there, tell them I have my own repair shop in the next town,
and yes we work on this brand all the time.
Did I solicit business?
You say no, I just mentioned what I do for living.

[dxboon]

Where do you draw the line regarding breeders? For instance, Barry posts photos of his puppy from a breeder also on this board. Are photos of Barry's puppy serving as an advertisement for his breeder? I think you'd get a lot more enjoyment out of this forum if you'd allow that most people on this forum approach posts with good intentions. If a breeder expands on their post by stating they're a breeder it may help the OP to have some context that they've probably had experience with multiple Labs of various stages from gestation, infancy and through old age.

Everyone who is a breeder that regularly posts on this forum has no need to solicit business. They don't treat their puppies as commodities and they don't need to advertise because there are wait lists for their puppies, they have many repeat families, and referrals from other reputable breeders. Nobody reputable is on a mostly pet owner forum soliciting for random puppy purchasers.