Posted on 07/02/2013 4:45:34 AM PDT by CSM
As many of my FRiends know, I was considering adopting a rescue dog named Buford. The foster brought him by yesterday and at the time he was generally just checking everything out. He is a coon hound and all nose! He is a very beautiful dog, so I'll try to post his pic in the following post. The Vet estimates his age to be between 3 and 4. He is about 75 lbs, but seems much stronger than that!
He seems to be a very smart dog and he does like to be around people. He makes it very evident when he wants attention, which is quite frequently. He has already figured out how to open the screen door and go outside and he knows how to let me know that he wants to be let in. Overall, I would rate his personality as very sweet, but very independent (almost to a point of stubbornness.) I suspect that with patience, this aspect of his personality will adjust as he gets more confidence that we are a pack.
However, there are some behavior issues and I need some advice/help. I had previously raised a dog from puppyhood, so it was much easier. I figured that an older dog could still learn, but I also figured that some instincts would have kicked in. I had no idea that Buford had absolutely NO training whatsoever.
The first issue that has been difficult is his "house training." He continually wants to "mark" his territory indoors. It is easy enough to stop that immediately and take him outdoors. Then he will mark territory outdoors, which is good, however almost immediately upon returning indoors he will find a spot and fully urinate and I am unable to stop him to get him back outside. I need some advice as to how to turn this situation around. The biggest challenge for me is his size and strength, it is much easier to stop a puppy mid action and get the puppy outside. This stronger dog, with stubbornness, simply won't move!
Secondly, he actually wants to climb onto tables, not just "surfing," but to actually climb onto and stand on. He hasn't been successful yet as I have been able to keep him off the tables, but he actually wants to climb on the coffee table to get over to me. I will continue to work on this one, but I am wondering if anyone has any hints for a faster resolution than just patiently teaching.
Thirdly, I don't think he has ever had a name. He doesn't seem to respond to his name and he seems to have no interest in learning a name. However, he does respond to whistles, finger snaps and he has already learned my firm "no." What is the best way for him to learn a name?
Finally, he has absolutely no patience. For example, if he wants attention and you don't immediately pet him then he paws and then will jump up on me. Of course, my pushing his chest down has become easier and easier and he will soon be over that "jumping up" problem. Another example is when I was having my dinner. He was very persistent in trying to get to the food on my plate, so I pinned him down with his leash so that he was forced to lay down and he fought that hard for about 5 minutes, finally he gave up and laid down at my feet nicely. However, I need to figure out if it is possible to teach a dog patience.
So, to summarize, where I need help is: 1. House training an adult dog that has never had any training. 2. Eliminating table climbing! 3. Teaching him a name. 4. Teaching patience (might be eliminating his desire to dominate his new pack)
Thank you Friends for any help you can provide. I will also be consulting some good training books that I used for my previous dog. If anyone wants a great source, check out "Great Owners, Good Dogs."
Doggie help needed....
Ok, i jiust could not resist.... ; D
I seem to have lost the picture location, for some reason I can’t access the “properties” from my home computer in the same manner as I did before.
You can see the previous pic I posted on post #68 on this previous FR thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3035690/posts?page=94#94
Check out dogforum.com also.
I have a redbone coonhound we got as a puppy. So slightly different but this is what works for us.
He does not react well to discipline at all. He hates being left out of family activities and will pout. He can be very stubborn when handled wrong.
Positive reinforcement and food works very well. Tell him ‘good boy’ when he does his business outside right after he finishes. Ignore him when he does bad. Literally turn your back on him and ignore him, even leaving the room. You must be a strong leader and never let him go through a doorway before you. Daily exercise is also crucial.
Coonhounds crave attention and approval. From the core of his soul he wants to please you. Just my experience with my coonhound.
Ha ha, I should have known that there was an FR Buford! I broke the unspoken rules by not pinging him to my gossiping!
Use a crate or restrict him to one room. The crate is easier because it immediately places you in control of the situation. When it is time to take him out, place the lead on him and immediately move him outdoors. Praise and reward him for doing his business outdoors. You may also want to bell train him. Hang a bell from a cord that he can reach, from the door leading outside. Ring it each time you take him out. He will then associate the bell with doing his business outside which results in a reward. In time, he will ring the bell to let you know he needs to go out. After you have successfully broken him into this habit, gradually open up more space in the house while still restricting access to other rooms.
I have worked with basset hounds for more than 20 years. It is important to familiarize yourself with breed characteristics. Here is an article on the American Coonhound Read More
I have pinged another freeper with good dog training skills.
Thanks, I will check out that site for sure.
My daughter keeps her new dog on a shortened training leash at all times. It is a way to correct by using the leash to get a hold on him without grabbing him. Grab the leash when he tries to get on table or do other things you do not want him to do. The leash makes it easier to get to him.
First, good for you!!!! Rescuing an adult dog is a great thing. Second, if you send the dog back after two weeks that’s the end for the dog. He’ll not be adopted again and he will be put down. We have six large rescue dogs now and have had a total of ten over the past 20 years. The dog doesn’t need training. You need training. Go, together, to obedience school. You will learn the skills you need to manage the dog and he will learn limits as he recognizes you as the pack leader. It will be fun. You’ll learn super new stuff and the dog will aim to please you. You will have years of fun together. You will be a better person for it. Oh, is he neutered yet? If not get it done ASAP.
two good training sources
Cesar Milan Dog Whisperer- watch shows, contact directly for advice, he rescues many older dogs and corrects behaviors
Monks of New Skete- check out their books. they raise German shepherds so different temperament however they use human—dog bonding and attachment in a gentle way
Buford needs to be confined in a small space (crate or small enclosed area, like enclosure slightly larger than playpen, but not outside! Krep him right in the midst of his new human pack, to watch and observe your household, to join you and be praised for good behavior, to be confined when his behavior is out of bounds like table climbing and peeing
Dog obedience class to to learn to walk onleash and enjoy walkies adventures
Crate is a wonderful idea. Put in some toys. Feed him in the crate. Be ready for the “howls” of protest - he’s a coon hound after all - and learn to smile about it.
Can’t help but smile. A 75 pound dog is all muscle, especially a hound. With obediance training, crate training and consistency from you he’ll become the biggest, mushiest lap dog in the world. We have a Great Pyr / Carolina mix who is 97 pounds. He rolls on his back so we can rub his belly and snuggles. Be patient with him and with yourself!
Can’t help but smile. A 75 pound dog is all muscle, especially a hound. With obediance training, crate training and consistency from you he’ll become the biggest, mushiest lap dog in the world. We have a Great Pyr / Carolina mix who is 97 pounds. He rolls on his back so we can rub his belly and snuggles. Be patient with him and with yourself!
I also recommend a crate for the potty problems. Make it large enough so he can turn around comfortably inside and lay down. If it’s near a door then yes lead him outside on a leash to go as soon as he gets out. Our dog also sleeps in his crate at night. Many dogs like the security. It also keeps him from eating up the cat food. Buford may be drinking way more water than he needs if he can urinate outside and then come inside and do it too. When our dog gets nervous (too much company) he over drinks.
As far as jumping up on tables and your other challenges I would work on getting him to understand the word NO.
And you might consider changing his name if he doesn’t respond to it anyway. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Thank you both for the perspective on hounds. My previous dog was a Chocolate Lab, so I am noticing some very different characteristics but am also seeing some similarities. The ignoring tip is very good, I will give it a shot. I appreciate your feedback and will begin to implement it immediately.
I have blocked off the rest of the house and we only roam when he is leashed and connected to me. In addition, I have a crate on the way and should have it sometime this week. I can tell that he wants one as a place to sleep. He actually slept on the landing for my stairs last night, which is about the only enclosed, den like place in my house.
I also appreciate the entering/exiting a room or door protocall tip. I will definitely be employing that one.
I am on vacation this week, so I can dedicate a lot of time to training and bonding. I usually use my July vacation to deep clean my house, but it looks like that would be useless right now! ;-)
I have to admit that I am already noticing that he is much calmer this morning. We have had no issues with marking or jumping. He has already learned that when he wants attention, he comes by me and sits. I’d say that is very good progress!
Dog Bonding advise. Sit down with your. Talk with him about his head as you stroke it, his ears as you touch them. Stroke his legs as you encourage him. Finally and most importantly, pick up his paw and explore it minutely. Message between his toes, nails and webbing. Do that long and gently and regularly. Alway say “Paw”. Very soon your dog will adore you and become a relaxed member of your family.
We crated ours and it worked beautifully.
We were told not to use the crate as a punishment. As tempting as it has been we’ve avoided it and think it was the right thing. The crate is for house training and to get them a safe place to go.
Coonhounds are different then any dog I’ve ever owned. With the right technique he is the easiest to train and best dog I’ve ever had. We use cereal and other small bits when training as food rewards work great.
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