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."
“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 just wanted to let you know that your prediction has been realized! While we still have some small struggles and one large one, Buford is very lovable and very attached.
I just wanted to let you know that your pointing out to me the mission of the coonhound breed has really helped me. Buford is settling in very well and I am constanly dreaming up new ways to challenge him. Once I get my fencing extensions completed, we will have all of our major issues resolved.
I also have to say that Buford is the star of the neighborhood. People laugh at me at all of the laps we make, but they cheer him when he bawls for his buddies at different houses!
“They need massive exercise in order to calm down.”
I’m coming back to review this thread and my FRiends’ feedback. I had to laugh at your comment here, it is so very true! At least now I get to eat extra sweets and deserts with all of the calories I am burning!
“Get ready for the digging, they are real excavators...”
Wow! You aren’t kidding about that one at all! I actually decided to put my patio furniture away after about the 3rd time cleaning the flower bed dirt off it! ;-)
“I may get flamed for this, but with his size and strength, you may want to consider a pinch collar for walking him. After my 42-pound rescue pup managed to pull me off my feet”
I have now transitioned through about 3 different walking set ups and he has only pulled me off my feet once! Thankfully we have found a set up that seems to be working well for both of us! I have started using a harness that gives me control of his whole body and was recommended to me by a Greyhound specialist....
“He’s gorgeous.”
Yep and Buford has figured that out! I get to benifit because he does attract the ladies!
;-)
“g) And since you’ve gotten many of us interested and invested in your experience, it is incumbent on you to keep us posted on future developments.”
I have posted a few updates, just in case you are interested. I am still thinking of getting him a FB page...
I am re-reading your post and it is making me actually LOL! I am currently working on adding extensions to my fencing. The 4’ chainlink fense is clearly not a border for Buford, instead it is an obstacle that is to be overcome to get the rabbit get the rabbit get the rabbit get the rabbit get the rabbit.
;-)
Soooooo happy that you have persevered w/Buford! (P.S. On the Flying Habitat, there’s a team working on a 3D printer that makes canapes!)
I decided to come back and re-review this thread and offer some updates. This post of yours is very appreciated, it was very powerful and as I sit and reflect on it, Buford has really become attached to me. I think that he is starting to understand that he has a furrever home!
I have to admit that I have taken to telling people that he is a “whiner-reiner from ethopia!” He is very communicative with the whining when he wants to run and he still thinks he is about to keel over from starvation!
;-)
“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.”
I am so glad that I started this thread when I first got Buford, because now as I am reviewing it I get to re-vist feedback like this! It is spot on and we are actually going through this exact situation right now!
With hounds, it is 6’ minimum with some individuals/breeds needing higher. My brother had an Afghan that could clear 6’ from a standing start.
6’ should be fine for a red bone.
Instead of day crating may I suggest a kennel. Tractor Supply sells a 6’ ready to assemble fairly reasonable. It is a 8x10 if I remember correctly.
We were lucky, our house came with a pair of kennels already in place. I do now need a forth dog house in them though... We want to fence several acres around the house that the dogs can stay loose in...
Thank you for the feedback and I will think about an outdoor kennel. The problem is that my lot is a small city lot and I would worry about him being exposed to the passers by....
I’m on 43 acres in the middle of timber company forests...
You said you were fencing the yard? or extending it? as long as the kennel was away from sidewalks and streets/alleys it should be a major problem.
My guess is you also know when anything out of the ordinary passes by... LOL.
Why do you think you can train against nature? Haven't you ever heard of "Tree Climbing Coon Hounds"? They breed them to climb after the coons. Extending the fence is a good idea to avoid the problem. He'll slow down with age.
I'm so glad that you perservered with this dog. I know you'll be buddies for a long time. Buford sounds like a wonderful dog. Thanks for the update. I enjoyed reading every post.
Regarding his climbing fences - my rescue ACD climbed 5’ fences without slowing down, cost her a previous home. After the second time hubby put a hot wire at the top of the section she climbed. She hit it twice to make sure it was really going to get her and has never tried going over another fence, no matter how short. You might try that. He sounds very smart so it wouldn’t take long.
You know, I was just thinking about Buford and you a couple of days ago, and hoping things were working out! Thanks so much for the update, looks like Buford is handling life as a family pet pretty well!
I wasn’t thinking that I can train the climbing out of him. Your (and other nice folks) feedback made me realize that is not possible and that I needed to change my mindset. Instead, my concern is coming up with a way to add fence extensions that he can’t climb.
In fact, he still enjoys going on the coffee table and I have stopped “freaking out” about it. I have learned that he is only doing it because it is in front of where I am sitting and he simply decided that it was the fastest route to get to me and get some attention. Now that I quit worrying, I actually find it comical!
I think I have found a very effective fence solution, but I am prepared for his ingenuity to outsmart me!
;-)
I am adding extionsions to my existing chain link fencing. They are framed trellises that are then mounted on posts that allow them to be independed and removable, just in case the city gets me on the permitting issue. However, the good thing is that they are a different structure and that seems to discourage Buford from cimbing them and they don’t have anything for him to grab! He has tried to jump into them and knock them down, but so far they are holding up!
I have completed the back section and a couple of smaller sections in the back corners. Now we are going to complete the fences for both side neighbors.
I have found that a good part of dog training is the dog trainng his human. We reach a compromise with our pets in order to enjoy life with them.
I can just see Buford sitting on the coffee table to gain your attention, and it makes me smile. In fact, it makes me want to hug him. Hopefully your table is scratch resistant, or you have a good bottle of Old English at the ready!
I have to tell lyou an amusing story from my dog training class that I took with my last dog. It doesn’t pertain to anything, except compromise. We had a smooth coated Saint Bernard in our class being rained alternately by a 9 year old boy and his mother. The way the class worked is that you could elect to “test out” with your dog on any given day — your choice.
The Saint’s mom decided that tonight was the night for the dog to graduate, and she was going to take him through his paces while the 9 year old sat in a chair and watched. She was having trouble with this huge beast on the concept of “finish”. That is where, at the end of a walk, the handler turns around and stops and the dog circles the handler’s feet and sits right next to her facing the same way. The clumsy Saint couldn’t quite get it.
As they came around again to where the 9 year old boy sat, he said in a loud whisper, “Mom, just spit into your hand and he’ll follow you wherever you want!”
She did, and the Saint followed her, and they graduated. I just laughed and laughed. It works. I doubt that the mother would have ever come up with that trick herself. but a boy and his dog...
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