We're thinking of adding a dog to the family....
Reasoning is thus.
We have one dog - so adding another to the fleet is probably less than double the work, dog number one is far more alert and switched on when my in laws' Lab comes to stay - he eats better, he runs in the garden doing doggie games, and he generally a social mutt and we just want one..:-)
So my argument is for an ex-demo run in one, whilst the pupster option is a bigger deal training wise and all the other things that a pup involves.
So back to the rescue option - one dog we've looked at looks fine but has what the re-homers say is a light and shadow chasing obsession - any ideas ? Is it curable ?
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Good be any reason for the dogs obsession,have you asked about the previous owner.How old is the rescue dog? If you like the dog and it looks you do, take him or her home and see how the dog behaves.How it interact with your other dog.
I believe it is curable often distraction keeping the dog occupied and a happy home will make a good start.Iam no expert R.P used to help out a trainer of Irish Terriers and having a few dogs over the years.
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We've always had pure breeds......Cockers, Springer and Border Terriers. All good with the family and other dogs.
There are so many poor dogs out there needing a good home so it may be quite a search.
Your present dog may have some influence on the manners of a new incomer...........
www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=EVwlMVYqMu4&vq=medium#t=125
Good luck.
Ted
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All my dogs have been thoroughbred mongrel, rescue types.
Set the rules early with some intensive training (I still believe in choke chains and cat biscuits).
They've been brilliant companions.
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response in sections.
As far as a pre loved dog goes, my thoughts are that I could never justify a the many delights of having and training a puppy, when there are so many dogs that need to be rehomed. So i appluad you for going the ex demo option.
light and shadow chasing obsession? Yes its curable. Its caused by either a: boredom, and has become a compulsive obsessive behaviour, or b: attention seeking - previous keepers have laughed, reacted, inadertantly providing the dog with reward for a given action. We as owners frequently inadvertantly instill behaviours in dogs, and blame the less desrieable ones on the poor mutt.
It will either cure itself when it joins an active home, being with another dog might well just kill it stone dead, or by providing an alternate behaviour and reward.
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The rescue place near here operates a generous sale or return policy, so a prospective owner need not fear getting stuck with the wrong dog.
Although I suppose the dog could still get stuck with the wrong owner.
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Caesar Milan is the dog behaviour geezer PUR.P ~ www.cesarsway.com/
What breed, sex, and age is your present mutt?
ditto the incomer?
I’d never take on another rescue dog as I don’t hold with the idea of Chopin their bits orf, and they all seem to do it these days, neutering the bitches should do ‘the trick’.
From my experience all rescue dogs come with (what my councillor friend calls) ‘issues’.
My neighb (2 owses back) had 7 dogs they all seemed to get on together (it seemed) once they had established their ‘pecking order’,
I had a GSD from a ‘specialist’ rescue centre a few years back – he had to be killed eventually as he bit 3 people :(
I’ve recently reserved one of these future puppies www.thepatterdaleterrier.co.uk/home which are not due to pop out until late summer 2013
Probably a ww scam though as I ain’t erd from him since I payed the £25 reservation fee via PayPal :-D
Last edited by: VxFan on Mon 10 Oct 11 at 10:34
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Current hound is a 5 year old Working Spaniel and the incumbent is a 2 year old Springer. The current dog gets on quite well with other dogs.
Thanks for the answers so-far.
I thought it might be a boredom sort of thing as well that would be ironed out once here.
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That mix should be fine Rob, are they both male?
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Yes - we considered a bitch but the Cocker is a fertile lad with one litter and 9 pups to support from a previous relationship ! He generally gets on better with males and the whole pack thing is less traumatic.
Last edited by: R.P. on Mon 10 Oct 11 at 09:33
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Ah a springer! explains a lot.
Busy busy busy dog. Did I say busy? Its busy. No idea how they think its got a habit of chasing shadows or sunlight, the things are dancing around all the time anyway.
100% boredom problem, springers need to be worked hard or be focused on a task at hand. You will have it cured in no time in a dog busy household.
Heres a good game, great for you as you have large secure land. Cut its food down by half, then scatter the other half round your plot of land, then let the dog forage. Great exercise it will be busy for hours, shadows will be forgotten in a jiffy.
Edit, springers are not "packy" dogs, really not concerned with status, far too busy to be sidetracked by rubbish like that.
Last edited by: Zero on Mon 10 Oct 11 at 09:43
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>
>> Heres a good game,
Edit, and it works that, fabulous fabulous , nose that springers have. Its the lack of nasal excitement thats driven it to boredom.
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Thanks Zero sounds reasonable from past experiences - the current dog is like that, been a bit hamstrung this last week for his regular walks for the first time since I had him, he's happy doing the waggy tail searching thing in the garden and spends time making up for lost exercise chasing one of these "slung" balls, but he has never shown any OCD traits - he's a "busy" dog as well. He had a limited sort of walk yesterday and we were laughing at him as he was busy foraging in the rough ground either side of the footpath rather than take the easy route - typical spaniel !
He's very adaptable - couple of days with relatives whilst we were away and then a further few days in Kennels, likes the kennels but can't wait to get in the car to go home - nearly jumped over a five bar gate to get at me when I went to collect him !
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Most Springers & Cockers I've come across over the years (owned a Cocker called Marmalade) have been barking!
(MAD)
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The cockers I have had have been indeed potty - totally their own dogs and I find that an attractive trait....this dog had never been in a car when I had him and honked on all journeys - but that soon wore away - he likes going in the car but dislikes travelling. However he loves sitting in the open hatch, especially if I'm out pottering with the fleet......he'll sit there for hours !
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As I mentioned earlier the current dog thrives on other canine company, his tardiness with food has disappeared (once he'd had his lunch nicked a couple of times) he just seems more content in an indefinable way, he has now learnt to "stash" a half eaten pre-formed bony treat he enjoys, lest the other dog snaffles it, the other dog goes home today and I know that mine will be on a downer for a few days.
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Both my collies are "rescues", the elder chap from a single mum and the younger via Battersea.
The Elder does have issues with fly chasing and has fairly confirmed routes to run and jump in the garden - he arrived with this behaviour and it has not diminished, despite of lots of exercise every day and training. It does not cause him distress although I do place obstacles to impede his progress, if only to conserve the grass! Still, with normal walks plus his fly chasing, he is a the peak of fitness!
The younger (still entire Dog, as he was immature) did take a while to toilet train as he had been in kennels slightly too long, still loves digging the lawn when he can, despite the balloon trick suggested here a few years ago, but otherwise has no foibles.
While they are lovely chaps, the word of warning I would give is that the older dog, who loves other dogs while out walking or visiting, has not been quite so happy being joined by a very alpha dog. This was held in check while my husband was here, but has caused much unhappiness for the older dog in the last year. Going back to absolute basic training has put me firmly in place as top 'dog' (!!) they still have not resolved who is second in command. So much so, that I am looking to re-home one. So Dog, if you want an entire, very handsome collie - then get in touch!
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>>So Dog, if you want an entire, very handsome collie - then get in touch!<<
Thanks Dee, I'd luv to have a pack of dogs like my neighbour a few years back, she did the PAT (pets as therapy) thing, but then she hand about 4 acres of land as well,
I don't think it would be fair on Milo to take on another dog though, he's a funny ole thing really - most unlike other breeds I've owned, he's certainly not just a dumb animal either, it's humans that are dumb ones (quite often)
Large breeds like Milo don't usually live that long compared to smaller breeds, so my thinking is that by the time 'Floyd' arrives in summer 2013, Milo will be 13, so who knows.
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Understandable Dog - both in wanting a pack and not wanting one of mine ;-)
You might find that Milo is given a new lease of life when the pup arrives.
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>>You might find that Milo is given a new lease of life when the pup arrives<<
Funny you should say that ... I call Milo my little Asperger because he shows all the signs of Asperger's Syndrome, it may be just that R/Ridgebacks are known to be aloof etc.. but he sort-of shuns affection like no other dog I've ever known!
Of course it may have started 'in the litter' as he was a bit runty (my other name for him!) when he was born,
He doesn't know how to play! either with me throwing a ball, or with other playful dogs (most strange)
Perhaps you are right Dee and a pup will give him a new lease of life, and teach him how to play,
It will/would be interesting to see how he responds :)
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>>>I’ve recently reserved one of these future puppies www.thepatterdaleterrier.co.uk/home which are not due to pop out until late summer 2013. Probably a ww scam though as I ain’t erd from him since I payed the £25 reservation fee via PayPal :-D
Dog you may have far more experience of working dogs than me but have you a working use for the new puppy? It seems to me this website is selling a crossbreed that can be found abandoned in so many shelters due to being a nightmare to manage in the normal home... and they're charging pedigree prices.
We have family who are gamekeepers on a large estate and they breed *interesting* combinations to work on the estate for hunting and shooting activities. Several are very similar to the Patterdale on that website and one such dog was given to a family member who really should have it put down as its behaviour in a family household is unacceptable in so many areas.
That website misrepresents their character... they are an out and out working dog bred to kill anything from rats to foxes.... and of course next door's cat.
If that's your need and you have no cat/small kids about the place then fair enough.
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Thanks for you concern XFL, I know Patterdale (types) can be a handful + they have Bull Terrier in their breed!
We live 'out of the way' like you used to in the Fen, and it would get quite long walks in open country daily,
No children about here either funnily enough, but yes - a couple of cats :(
I've kept all sorts of dogs over the years - cross breeds from Battersea, GSD, Doberman, Terriers, Poodle, Cocker etc.. the Cocker was the most stubborn, single-minded, determined not-to be trained SOB I've ever come across in the canine world!
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sounds like they all train you rather than the other way round.
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Have you tried the "old Farmers trick" for "training" wayward dogs?
Call them to you, pretend you are going to pat them, but grab their head and give their lug a good chiggleing!!- they soon learn then!
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no wonder farmers dogs are miserable sneaky vicious curs.
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>>no wonder farmers dogs are miserable sneaky vicious curs<<
Especially their Border Collies!!
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...Especially their Border Collies!!...
Couldn't be they know how to weigh-up visitors?
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>>Couldn't be they know how to weigh-up visitors?<<
More likely because they're stuck outside most of the time in all weathers,
I'm always weary of the critters if I meet one while out walking as they can be nasty vicious little bar stewards.
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We’ve had our Rhodesian Ridgeback from a pup and he is now 11 years young,
I’ve found him to be the ideal breed of dog really as he has rarely had to visit a vet in all those years,
He’s quite a loner as well (aloof) is safe with children, is good with other dogs + will never start any ‘trouble’
(but he’ll usually finish it!)
A few years ago I took on a quite beautiful Doberman bitch from someone wifey knew at work,
‘Indie’ was a lot younger than Milo, but she made his life HELL!
It was quite sad to see it really – he just wouldn’t stand up for himself, she’d even nick he’s bed and give me oodles of affection in a sort-of flirty canine way,
I decided she had to go back in the end, as poor Milo was being led a dogs life,
shame though, cos she was a mighty fine Doberman.
Last edited by: VxFan on Mon 10 Oct 11 at 12:54
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>> no wonder farmers dogs are miserable sneaky vicious curs.
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I find that rare, and I'm on farms five days a week. Most of the dogs on the farms I visit are collies, nearly all friendly. If farmers do have a snappy dog they tend to keep it penned up.
Biggest mistake you can make with most of them is to throw a stick, you'll have a job for life!
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Stupid me i read the Doggie question as a Doggin question site thing...........Dirty mind i have, but should you know of any that i don't please tell...............................
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I would be inclined to go for a show cocker rather than the working variety. They are much more laid back and are nowhere near as hyper as workers.
I have got two cockers, Henry is nearly fourteen months old - I got him one year today when he was just eight weeks - and Charley is nearly fourteen years old. He's deaf and blind now but still has quality of life. Both dogs have lovely natures and I wouldn't swop them for the World.
I'll see if this works. tinyurl.com/66lf57r
Last edited by: Robbie34 on Mon 10 Oct 11 at 14:46
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I wouldnt go for any dog with show breeding. Far too many problems in the breeding.
Dogs bred for working or sports every time.
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Our puppy was one year old on Saturday.
He just loves swimming and getting muddy. We were down the park yesterday playing fetch and he was doing some fantastic handbrake turns in the sodden grass! Also excellent wheelspin, although he is four wheel drive, I think he really needs a limited slip differential as well! Or maybe winter paws....
Then into the loch for a good wash which is followed by his drying procedure.
It starts with his head shaking, travels down his body and finishes with his tail thrashing about. Tried to capture it on camera, this was the best I could do with my phone camera
s1112.photobucket.com/albums/k485/Bobbyg69/?action=view¤t=2011-10-09142737.jpg
Re the OP, we had originally went to Dogs Trust and maybe were just unlucky, but so many of them seemed to have "hidden issues" or more a case of having to read between the lines!
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Yep - the Working Cocker is a lot more hyper than the English Cocker I had - mind you too late now and I wouldn't swap him for anything else.
Bobby yours is a Spaniel isn't he ?
Bigtee you've got a one track mind - or more single track maybe ? :-)
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I'm not a dog person, not one bit but I do like Spaniels.
BTP at Euston have few of them, presumably for sniffing out explosives or drugs. Watching them interact with their handlers is almost like people watching.
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Rob, no, he is a black lab.
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Mine still craps in the car. Well, my wife's car anyway. Not every time now so it's a bit like Russian Roulette.
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weeeeeeeel, try it in a half decent car, the ugly looks of the cashcow probably makes it crap itself.
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She's not all that bad looking for her age.
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In my view, the only good dog is the one in a chinese curry...:-)
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Dog, you want to pay £350 for a terrier?! Are you barking? Moreover you have put down a deposit for a pup out of a litter in two years' time?!
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>>Dog, you want to pay £350 for a terrier?! Are you barking? Moreover you have put down a deposit for a pup out of a litter in two years' time?!<<
Yeah, but - with 2 years of stagflation, what's 350 smackers gonna be worth??
And, to put down a deposit for a pup out of a litter in 2 years time does sound a bit strange I know, possibly unique even? but I'll play it along for now though*
*I've done weirder things in my time BTW!
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+1.
Nasty, smelly, demanding creatures are dogs! Noisy, too.
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I have one thats ticks no to every one of your complaints.
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Anyome who buys a dog has been sold a pup.
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Oh, alright - final no-no - they need taking for walkies.
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That's a plus point, not compulsory here but voluntary.
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>> That's a plus point,
Indeed, the dog is an excellent excuse for trespassing exploring.
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>> She's not all that bad looking for her age.
I hope your significant other/partner doesn't look at these pages! :=)
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Doggie question - Dutchie
