Liz I thought this was a hypothetical question...
...If you were seeking specific advice why not just go ahead and ask the questions on behalf of a third person.
If you don't make your intentions clear don't be surprised if people are less than helpful..

Very good post!

Yes, we should be helping...

Unfortunately you didn't ask any specific questions, and I think, since you're the one wanting advice, you should have volunteered that information - not waiting for people to ask... I'm sure you would have gotten a lot of advice, especially since it was a simple problem...

Hope the puppies are OK...

I would also express my disapproval, but I'd help if I could, for the bitch and pup's sake. Their welfare is more important than getting a point across imo, that can be done afterwards lol. It would depend on what the problem was though...

I dont think anyone would refuse help, but if people can swap stuff on Freecycle why cant they search the net for answers? Or as somebody else said, ask a vet! Im sorry its all rubbish, help is there for all, no excuses, I expect they will need little help selling them! Why did Liz have to find answers for them? Dont they have google on their computer?

I couldn't have put it better myself.....

I have definitely noticed on this forum, in the past, when someone has asked for help on breeding matters (albeit I agree that they should have found the answers long before they asked on a forum) I have noticed that some of the members with loads of breeding experience, stay silent. Which I think is a shame! However, better they do that than come on lecturing and judging, so I'm not saying that they are wrong to keep silent.

I have had to ask my Breeding Mentor some questions for people needing advice before, when I've not known the answers myself, which she has happily answered. I think, like me, she sees that if somebody is faced with a litter and you don't help that person, the only ones to suffer are the pups who are in the "breeders" hands (using the breeder word loosely if they don't have a clue what they are doing).

As a breeder who is still learning my way through, I appreciate, probably more than some of you that "judge" just how things can go wrong and the need for a Mentor is top of the list. I always give this advice, as I couldn't have got by without my Mentor. Anyone who attempts breeding without a Mentor to call on 24/7 is likely to land their bitch is deep poop!!!! A chance I personally wouldn't take. Okay, we all have Vets on hand but not all Vets are completely up on breeding (as I learned to the detriment of my first litter) so a Mentor is essential.

By the way, what are the questions you were wanting to ask? I would be more than happy to help, if I can I don't have major practical experience but I've read and studied breeding in a very serious way

Can't confess to having read all this thread but a thought springs to mind which ties this thread to another current one - are forums a dangerous thing

Perhaps experienced people just get fed up with constantly giving out advice? Which would also tie with why (from the other thread) new people love to jump in with the sound of their own keyboards clicking

I expect they could google themselves, I would just feel better helping them if i could

I think that some people just like to help, if they can. I always try to help, if possible. Certainly not from the point of view that I like to click away. In fact, I hate advising on the internet, as I often wonder whether people truly understand what you are trying to say. If I give any breeding advice (which is rare) I will always check with another experienced breeder before I post (unless I'm absolutely sure of what I'm saying), as giving the wrong breeding advice is worse than giving no advice at all