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."
We have a an 80-lb Lab that we got from a shelter when he was about 2. I am sure the dispositions are quite different, but I’ll tell you what worked for us.
We crated him for the first week, and that worked for most of the house. We have a screened-in porch, however, that he regarded as outside for a time. For that, we used an enzyme-based spray on his urination spots.
For jumping up, we used a trick, I saw on Victoria whatshername’s show. When the dog tries to jump up on you, do not make eye contact and turn away. Also, when he pesters for more petting while you are sitting down and taking a break, cross your arms over your chest and stare at the ceiling. He will get the message an lie down.
We taught our dog his name by saying his name every time we fed him. Same trick with our cat.
Good luck. And God bless you for rescuing an adult dog.
God love him! A great looking guy!
“Was Buford his original name or a name the shelter gave him? If it was his original name, you might want to change it in case he associates the name “Buford” with abuse from his previous owner. If the shelter gave him the name, he just may not have been called it enough. Calling him and giving him treats when he responds should work wonders in getting the desired response.”
The shelter gave him the name and he has actually gone from 1 shelter to a 2nd and then to a foster in the last month. So, he hasn’t had any consistency at all. The original shelter knew of his home situation and they don’t think that those owners name any of their dogs, so we suspect that he has never had an actual name to respond too...
I think if I remember to not call him dog, as in good dog, and use Buford instead, then maybe it will catch on.
“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”
LOL My sister did this with a mixed breed she got and it’s worked so well that the dog rings the bell about 20 times a day. I think part beagle and apparently really food driven.
I don’t know what a “pinch collar” is, but my trainer insisted that I use a “prong collar” for my wild child, 78 lb Golden when were in Basic Obedience, or whenever I had him out in public. Furthermore, she had my husband sharpen a few of the points. After a year, or so, we didn’t need it any more, but when I first got him (as a 2 year old) he would pull me all over the place and dropped me into the mud one time when I was wearing white wool slacks and a butter yellow blazer!
After obedience training, that dog could walk without a leash and was a delightful companion. We lost him in Feb. to pancreatic cancer, and we miss him dearly.
Well our neighbor got a beautiful Coon hound pup and it is now full grown and an outside dog. They really are not the best choice for a housedog. They are stubborn and somewhat hard to train and they are really bred for hunting like most hounds.
We have a Beagle and we love him to death and now at aged 16+ he is a wonderful inside dog but I would not get another one.
Marking: Take him out frequently. Clean the old stains completely. Praise him when pees outside. Look for any sign that he might need to go.
Training: Ignore the Dog Whisperer advice. His method is one of intimidation and domination. He kicks and jabs at the dogs. Do you want a dog that's afraid of you or a loving friend? Victoria Stillwell’s Positive training is a much better alternative.
Begging/Climbing/Patience: You can't teach a dog patience but you can teach them down and stay. Once he learns to stay you can eat in peace.
Thank you for reposting the pic. I am still learning the “html picture posting.” ;-)
“dropped me into the mud one time when I was wearing white wool slacks and a butter yellow blazer!”
OK, I hate to say it but that made me laugh. Not at you, but with you! LOL
I am no trainer but I’ve been successful with the all the dogs I have owned.
With an older rescue I resign myself to the fact that there will probably be unwanted results for the first couple of weeks.
With potty training I make sure I have a great cleaning tote set up. I don’t crate, I don’t hit, rub noses, or get physical at all. I find that dogs are shamed pretty easily, I use that.
I mostly use a leash every hour or so to take them out about every hour, even at night. If I notice one trying to go potty inside, I make a big noisy deal of it. I usually make a big emphasis on the first syllable of their name— BUUUUUUford!!! NO! bad! bad! bad! Then I promptly leash and take outside, even before cleaning.
When back inside I will get all my cleaning supplies and let them watch while I scrub, complain and whine— bad, bad bad! I make a big deal of it, they will usually hang head, twist ears back and forth— they KNOW. Mine have always HATED being shamed.
I have not dealt with many male dogs as I favor females because of the hiking males do. In my den the two sofas are near the patio door and my dogs love to lean on the sofa ends or lay against them, I let them but I keep a nice towel draped over the ends they favor. Maybe while you train you could use a terry plastic backed cloth over your cloth furniture?
With the table jumping it might just be how he was raised. Many people keep their hounds outside in small cages/kennels with wooden shelter boxes in them, the dogs always seem to get on top of the boxes. At least that is what I have observed. It will probably just take time and patience for that to stop.
My dogs learned what furniture they are allowed on but it took time and patience. They can’t get on my living room or den sofas but they can get on our bed and the loft sofas. I do cover my living room sofa if we are going to leave them alone, because they will sneak up to watch out the window. I can see the pillows knocked over and wrinkles in the cushions, so I know they broke the rules. hahaha!
He will learn, it will just take time, patience and consistency. Shame them, they HATE it!
Tote: My favorite spot cleaner is Blue Magic Carpet stain and spot lifter, it is usually found in the automotive section. The large bottles of hydrogen peroxide are handy, too. For scrubbing and cleaning the area I use Bissell pet stain and odor. 3-4 old towels, a good scrub brush that has the handle over it, a roll of paper towels and gloves.
My dogs almost NEVER go inside and if one does, she is sick. They just don’t do it, it is too embarrassing for them. Good luck and I hope it works out for you and Buford!
Thank you for such a thorough and thoughtful response. I knew that I could count on my FReeper FRiends to take such time to help me out.
It is funny, Buford seems to be getting more settled in by the hour. In fact, he is laying next to me and is sound asleep. I didn’t think he would be that comfortable yet, but he is already in dream land and must have caught a strong sent of some prey! He has the crazy legs and is snorting away. ;-)
I guess that means he trusts me enough to sleep that deep. It is a good start.
My big mistake was thinking that my new, young, rather wild, Golden would have the same temperment of my previous, 15 year old, disabled dog! I had him at work the first week we owned him and I took him outside, behind the plant, on a long leash. (bad idea)
I sat down on the bench of the picnic table and gently rolled a tennis ball towards him. This young, healthy male took off like a rocket; and I tried to hold him back with the 25 foot leash, to no avail. I was in a panic because there was no fence behind the plant, and the nearest attraction was a school yard (also with no fence and children playing) across the street.
He pulled me right off my feet and into the muddy grass. But, I hung on because I was afraid that I’d lose him if he ran over to see the kids. I brought him inside and signed him up for obedience training a half hour later.
Obedience training was the best investment in a dog that I ever made. And the cleaners fixed up my clothes as good as new.
OK, after the full story I am not laughing with you. That must have been very frightening. I am glad to hear that it worked out in the long run.
However, make sure NOT to cuss every time he pees indoors, otherwise he'll soon think that his name is "Son a of bitch!"
(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.
Are you getting him a Facebook pahe?
he is already in dream land and must have caught a strong sent of some prey! He has the crazy legs and is snorting away. ;-)
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Isn’t the funniest thing to watch? Dogs are fantastic! I hope Buford brings you as much happiness and love as my dogs have brought me. It’s work but the rewards are awesome!
If the picture is already on the web (or if you have stored your own in a hosting site such as Shutterfly or Flickr) just right click on it to reveal its “properties”. Copy the properties by highlighting, keying CTRL and C, and transfer them to your clipboard.
Then type < img src=” and type CTRL plus V and end the phrase with “> The only caution is that there should be no spaces between the < and the img. The only space is between the img and the src.
So, it goes like this:
< img src=”URL of your picture”> with no space between the < and the img.
Yep, that sounds like me.
Hard wiring is difficult to overcome. I do best with dogs that behave like couch potatoes. We took in a pointer-setter mix from a broken home. He was smart, energetic, challenging, and had numerous unacceptable behavioral manifestations (e.g., jumping the 5 foot fence and running around the neighborhood--I did get to meet a lot of the neighbors that way, but it scares people to see a 90 lb. dog dashing all over the place grinning madly.) It takes a huge amount of effort and commitment (and $). Obedience training is essential. (I was afraid that he'd make history as the first flunkout of our Petsmart training center. He did manage to graduate but always got that faraway look in his eyes when the parrots started squawking.) It was like hammering a round peg into a square hole. Transition from outdoor hunting dog to indoor pet is difficult but possible.
P.S. He lived to be 16 years old and was an absolute love. Would I do it again? Nuh-uh.
Hard wiring is difficult to overcome. I do best with dogs that behave like couch potatoes. We took in a pointer-setter mix from a broken home. He was smart, energetic, challenging, and had numerous unacceptable behavioral manifestations (e.g., jumping the 5 foot fence and running around the neighborhood--I did get to meet a lot of the neighbors that way, but it scares people to see a 90 lb. dog dashing all over the place grinning madly.) It takes a huge amount of effort and commitment (and $). Obedience training is essential. (I was afraid that he'd make history as the first flunkout of our Petsmart training center. He did manage to graduate but always got that faraway look in his eyes when the parrots started squawking.) It was like hammering a round peg into a square hole. Transition from outdoor hunting dog to indoor pet is difficult but possible.
P.S. He lived to be 16 years old and was an absolute love. Would I do it again? Nuh-uh.
Oops. Please excuse.
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