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."
Pinch/prong collars are a Godsend.
I was horrified by them at first but due to the idiot e-vet injuring Odin’s neck, I had to find something that -never- jerked/yanked/pulled on his cervical vertebrae, no matter what.
Herm-Sprenger makes the best ones.
They work -entirely- by *squeezing* pressure points on the dog’s neck, mimicking the ‘corrective bite’ of its mother.
They are by far the most gentle training collar, despite their barbaric appearance.
They’re “power steering” for your dog.
:)
LOL!
Scent hound versus Sight hound.
:)
I’ve read the advice given by others and really, I’m not even needed here.
It’s all been good and someone even gave you the “ignore” tip which is great.
Keep in mind that this is probably the first time in his life he’s ever had so much human interaction.
Hounds are generally thrown outdoors and ignored until the next hunt..if there even is one.
he’s going through a late stage ‘puppy phase’ with all the new attention, stimulation and affection.
Eventually he’ll learn that all the wonderful things he’s experiencing are *not* going to stop or go away, suddenly.
Like a starving thing, he’s getting all this emotional ‘food’ and naturally, he’s going to try and ‘eat’ everything at once.
Be patient and _low key_ with your praise and rewards and he’ll learn that your love is forever and not something that may vanish without warning.
I feel so sorry for dogs who grown up without all the usual joy most other dogs take for granted.
Right now, we’re over the moon with our new pup who’s just 3 months old.
Every day I look forward to what new things she’ll come up with to make me laugh and I always try to make this day even better than the last.
Last night she decided to pick up her empty bowl and parade it around the room to let me know she wanted more.
I think you two are gonna be just fine.
:)
The stubbornness is single-mindedness, hounds are just hardheaded. They're very food motivated, so reward treats are the way past it.
The climbing is a breed trait too. He's apparently never been a pet. It takes work to break it. I let mine put her front paws on my shoulders and scan the ceiling, for coons I guess, lol. We're safe from ceiling coons when Sue's on watch.
Name, eye contact, interaction, he's been one dog out of many and taught to obey basic commands useful for hunting. It'll take him some getting used to being addressed individually and to see your efforts as having meaning specifically for him. Once the lightbulb goes off in his head, that dog aha moment, is incredible to see, they're overwhelmed with emotion. Mine started crying and whining, and would run up to me for weeks afterward just to lay her head in my lap and look up into my eyes.
It takes patience, what you're wanting him to do is foreign to him. But, dogs want praise, they want to be “good.”. Work with him and stick with it. He'll come around.
That really choked me up, RC.
:)
YAY! I’m so glad you’ve decided to give Buford a chance to adapt to your pack. Much of what you’ve posted is very encouraging about his ability to do so. I see you’ve already received excellent advise that should be extremely helpful.
One thing I haven’t read in the replies is the issue of Buford’s recent neutering. If I recall correctly, he was only neutered about a week, or maybe two weeks ago. When an older dog is neutered, it takes 2-3 months for their testosterone levels to gradually drop. It’s entirely possible that you will continue to notice him becoming calmer and perhaps less inclined to mark as the weeks progress and he’s less influenced by testosterone.
Good luck, and I’ll enjoy reading your updates!
Oh, adding on to previous post...until his testosterone levels have dropped sufficiently, he will still be responsive to the scent of any neighborhood bitches in estrus. That would be something to keep an eye on if he’s left outside, as he might be quite determined to fence climb to meet a new girlfriend. Boys...LOL.
If we had the space, we would take another but in the burbs.
I don’t have a lot of discretionary income but there are a few animal rescue groups I donate regularly. When stock video at Shutter stock pays out usually at least half goes to them.
I felt so sorry for that little dog that was wandering here. No one else around seemed to care. One idiot almost backed over it and me after passing by and seeing me.
“That really choked me up, RC.”
Me too, thank you for another wonderful post.
I have been wondering why he would clumsily come up and just pounce on my lap and then put his head on my shoulder. I haven’t been discouraging it, other than the usual feeling of shock, but your post helps me understand a bit of what he is thinking.
I am really surprised at how much I forgot about owning a dog over the last couple of years. In addition, I didn’t realize how much work I had put into a puppy to have bonded with her to a point where we were pretty much on the same page by this age.
I will keep Buford’s history and breed nature in mind and try to maintain that knowledge as I continue to work with him. I appreciate everyone’s encouragement. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to successfully transition Buford from an outdoor dog, to an indoor dog. However, with your advice, kind words and gentle reminder to re-evaluate my expectations, I am far less worried.
“If I recall correctly, he was only neutered about a week”
You have a mind like a steel trap, which is no surprise for a fellow FReeper. I did get some warning from the foster that his hormones will be out of balance for a couple of months and I have to admit, that if his current behaviour is the worst case scenario, then we will be OK in the long run.
Many on here have helped me level set my expectations and at this time my only concern will be the “house training” related to marking, control, etc. I’ve been taking him outside regularly and praising him for using the great outdoors. As a result, we have not had any issues today, so I am hopeful that we can get it resolved in the long term. I am not expecting perfection for awhile, but this morning has been encouraging. Especially as bad as it was last night. It is literally like “night and day.” ;-)
The other thing is that I will be getting a crate tomorrow, so I think he will be much happier. Luckily, I am here all week and don’t return to work until next Monday. That will give me time to see how he reacts to the crate and that will hopefully give me some good confidence while working.
Lol. My laugh for the day.
I’ve rescued Dobes who acted like they didn’t even understand what humans were but within a month, they couldn’t imagine life without one of their very own.
Dogs want to be with people.
That will overpower everything else.
You both will be just fine.
Buford is a lucky guy and I think part of his ‘over-exuberance’ is that he already knows that and can’t quite wrap his mind around the concept that he *belongs*, just yet.
:)
Ha ha, we were just outside and a friend of mine walked up to the gate and just stood on the other side of the fence and we were chatting. Bufurd started the “howl” at him! It looks like he will be a good alert for me....
Great pic, that is exactly how Buford looks when he jumps up to my shoulders.
Those are the ones we use, too. They are well-worth the cost.
Herm-Sprenger finally fixed something I always considered a problem, namely, the direction all of the prongs face on their collars.
They now have a version with a central link so the prongs face opposite ways and apply even pressure around the dog’s neck rather the ‘drag effect’ the other kinds cause.
They’re hard to find and cost more but they work 100% better than the standard H-S prong collars.
http://www.things4yourdog.com/product/45-6423B
[yes, I am *that* picky...why do you ask?]
;D
My dad raised Blueticks and Walkers.
I love the sound of their ‘belling’ when they alert.
Beautiful music, IMO.
:)
I concur with Darnright. Alpha rolling, IMHO, is not a good way to go.
Chris Bach has some excellent training techniques— many of which we used with our dogs, and one in particular helped keep the treat focused dogs more in check— To get the treat, one must give up the treat...
A link to Chris’ site (though this is just a quick post-and-run, so not sure what’s out there anymore, but likely mostly training materials for sale...):
http://www.trainthethirdway.com/
We also used clicker training, which often employes food treats, but any thing that motivates the dog can be used for a reward. Gary Wilkes is a good resource for that.
If interested, I can try to get you more info about the ‘to get the treat one must give up the treat’ process— just pressed for time at the moment. Ping me if interested.
Dogs will eventually learn whatever name you decide to use. We got one dog at approx. age 2, a rehome from a family that ran a stable and the dog would not stop chasing horses. The family loved him, it was not an abuse situation. We just didn’t care for his name. He caught on pretty quickly.
Yep, there is just no teaching an old FReeper new ways to protest an liberal.
There is a DC Chapter FReeper in Florida that also has a dog named Buford.
[Mr] T
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