|
| Author |
Messages |
|
MelB
MH
Posts:1203
 |
| 07/23/2009 1:16 PM |
|
I'm pleased to find a message board dedicated to GSP's. I will be getting a female pup in September, and having never owned this particular breed before I am full of questions and curiosity!
The pup I am getting is currently being bottle fed by a veterinary hospital in NY. She was one of a litter of 17 pups, 15 of whom survived. Xara was the smallest of the surviving 15 and after 24 hrs with her litter it was determined that she was not being allowed to nurse by rest of the litter and appeared to have little to no sucking reflex.
Xara is now 2 weeks old and doing very well. Her sucking reflex has kicked in and she's drinking from her bottle beautifully and has doubled in size in a week. She appears to be a happy, healthy baby!
I know with some of the larger breeds it isn't recommended to feed a puppy food due to too quick of a growth spurt, so I am wondering if anyone could address this as it pertains to GSP's?
I feed my current dogs (2 ESS's and a cocker) Eagle Pack Holistic, and the cocker gets Wellness Core due to his epilepsy. I am planning on weaning Xara on to Eagle Pack Puppy so the transition to adult food leads to the same brand I would feed normally.
I've also been told by a few GSP's owners that they found their pups hard to housebreak. Is this the experience of those here? I've owned nothing but hunt breeds and have found them all to be very easy to housebreak, with the exception of one very stubborn beagle, so this puzzles me. I'm not overly worried about it, I figure if I could get that beagle housebroke I can housebreak anything at this point!, but am more curious so I know what I"m up against!
While I do not hunt, I do intend on showing Xara in competition obedience events, and possibly doing some tracking classes with her to keep her little mind busy. What are some of your experiences with training this breed? I'm used to my ESS's who are velcro dogs and absolutely live to please me, therefore, training has always been a breeze. They have spoiled me! I do have one rather hyper male ESS right now who is still searching frantically for his brain, but he's getting there, slowly 
Basically, any advice you can offer me is deeply welcomed and greatly appreciated. I prefer to research, research, research before a pup comes into my home so I am prepared for the events that unfold once they are here. Well, as prepared as I can be anyhow!
Thanks so much in advance! |
|
|
|
|
pixie bee
MH
Posts:4120
|
| 07/23/2009 2:00 PM |
|
Hi and welcome to the forum.
Poor little Xara. Being the smallest doesn't mean she'll be small. Usually the mother will not nurse a pup that 'is not right'. To us the pups seem very normal but the mother's instinct tells her otherwise. I am sure the vet s keeping an eye on her. I hope she is allowed to be with her littermates in a week or 2 and allowed to stay with them until you take her home.
This will help her tons.
Feeding a puppy food is not an issue for GSPs.The brand you mention is a good one if it agrees with Xara.
I can't say what other's think is difficult, but I have not had a hard time HB any of our shorthairs. Then again, I am more tollerant and understanding then most. I will walk my puppy every 2 hours around the clock,watch for 'business' behavior and take a puppy out 'just in case'. I also attach the puppy to my leg and not allow free roaming until around 9-10 months old and I never allow a dog to be uncrated when not watched and I mean watched,with both eyes, and they are never allowed to be out of the crate when home alone until about 1 1/2 years old and that is only for a 1/2 an hour or so to test the waters.
GSPs can be smart and get bored quickly. Exercise and training help a lot with this. I have 2 very high prey drive dogs and training can be challenging at times. Dealing with prey drive on walks is a diificult hurdle in the begining. You will think it is impossible to train heel,ever,but it will pass and training will do wonders. This is a easy breed to train. They are born wanting to please. It is the trainer who needs to understand how this breed thinks which will make all the difference in the outcome of the training.
You made a great choice in breeds.
Best of luck with little Xara,
Francine
|
|
"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
|
|
|
Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6938
|
| 07/23/2009 2:12 PM |
|
I second everything that pixie said. I have not found this breed any more or less difficult to HB. I have had labs, cockers, and greyhounds. GSPs are very smart and as such can sometimes be challenging to train. Not because they don't get the training, but because they get bored. Drilling also does not work with these guys. Drilling is the fastest way to shut a shorthair down. I train and show my dogs in obedience (my girl Halo won HIT in obedience this year at the GSP Nationals in Denver), agility, hunting, conformation and flyball. GSPs naturally want to please and will work their hearts out for you as long as the training stays fun for them. I mix in treats, play, etc as rewards and make training as fun as possible. Good luck with your new baby, Xara. I think you will have lots of fun with this breed.
My Belle was the runt in her litter and she is now a big bitch weighing around 57 pounds and 24.5 inches at the withers. The best indicator of the size Xara will be when she is an adult is her parents. |
|
Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
     
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
|
|
MelB
MH
Posts:1203
|
| 07/23/2009 2:20 PM |
|
Thank you for your response.
Right now the vet is watching Xara closely and says she's exhibiting the proper developmental behavior for a pup her age. Of course, being 2 weeks old, I am not considering her out of the woods as far as surviving just yet. Too many things can go wrong. But it's our hope that she continues to do well and comes home.
I don't know if they intend on attempting to reintroduce her back into the litter or not to be quite honest. Ideally, yes, I'd prefer that to happen so Xara learns from her mother and the others proper puppy behavior etc. But, since I am in PA and they are in NY I have little control over what takes place at this point.
I do crate train and as you said, I never leave a pup unattended out of it's crate if I leave the room. My male ESS is 2 yrs old and is still not left out when we leave the house, although he isn't a chewer at all. I feel he needs to mature a bit more before we attempt a short trip with him out. He also has an extreme prey drive, which is as you said, making his training a bit frustrating at times. We are working on attention work and that seems to be helping. So if Xara has a high prey drive at least I will have some knowledge on how to deal with it.
What is the theory behind having the dog tethered to you? Is this to teach the pup that your movement decides it's movement? That it moves when instructed by you to do so? |
|
|
|
|
lauralee
Plainfield, CT.
MH
Posts:449
|
| 07/23/2009 2:26 PM |
|
Welcome to the forum, I think you will find that GSPs are very easy to HB. I agree with Pixiebee, I too take my pups outside to relieve themselves every 2hrs, and whenever they seem like they're looking for a place to go. If you take the time and patience pups can be fully HB trained within 1 week or less. Both my GSPs only made 1 mistake after training, and will wake me at night if they have to go.
These like your ESS, can be Velcro dogs. My girl Sadie as I am writing this is at my feet. She will follow me even into the bathroom if I let her.
I also agree with Pixiebee in proper crate training. This allows the pup to be safe when your not there to supervise. It also gives pup a place of her own, if she decides that she needs some alone time away from other dogs, and children.
Please keep us informed as to how you and her are doing.
Good Luck,
lauralee |
|
|
|
|
MelB
MH
Posts:1203
|
| 07/23/2009 2:27 PM |
|
and thank you! for saying that the training should be kept fun!
I've shown in obedience for 13 yrs and one thing that I have seen change in the ring is that so many dogs simply do not look like they are having fun! I've heard handlers say that if the dog can't score at least a 198 they won't enter it and will drill the dog for hours until the dog "learns how to work right". Completely floors me to be honest. I believe that first and foremost obedience should be a bonding experience that is fun and creates a dog that wants to work for you and enjoys the whole affair. If my dog shows me that he's not enjoying it, well then it's up to me to figure out how to work and make it fun for him! I have no idea if my male ESS will ever get into the show ring, and to be honest I don't really care! As long as he's happy, as long as he can be a well behaved member of the family, that is good. He doesn't need a title to show me how great he is! But, if I get a dog that enjoys it, has fun and does a great job doing it, yep we're gonna hit the ring! |
|
|
|
|
pixie bee
MH
Posts:4120
|
| 07/23/2009 2:39 PM |
|
The reason they are attached to me is so I can watch them,with both eyes and learn to read them, this prevents accidents and chewing things that don't belong to them.
It's real annoying having to go and buy Barbie shoes b/c the dog chewed them-do you have any idea how hard it is to find Barbie shoes,you have to buy the entire outfit!!!!!????
|
|
"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
|
|
|
lauralee
Plainfield, CT.
MH
Posts:449
|
| 07/23/2009 2:41 PM |
|
| Some people tether to be able to better control the training of dog or pup. It allows you to be there exactly when and if pup makes a training mistake( HB, chewing, jumping on furniture, or other people) It allows you the ability to give a instant correction, because that is the easiest way for pup to learn. I don't use this method unless I have a hard time keeping an eye on pups, some pups are extremely active, and hard to keep your eye on. I do close doors, and don't allow a pup to wander around the house by himself, so I do restrict pups area to roam. |
|
|
|
|
MelB
MH
Posts:1203
|
| 07/23/2009 2:50 PM |
|
Pixie Bee HAHA! Yep, been there done that with the Barbie shoes! And am quickly learning that Transformers are way more fun for kids to try to work than adults!
Ok thank you for the explaination on the tethering. I've never done it, but as Lauralee said, I do have baby gates up so the pups have limited access to areas they might go into that I wouldn't be able to see them. Plus I have parrots and the dogs are not allowed in the bird room so that must be gated. |
|
|
|
|
pixie bee
MH
Posts:4120
|
| 07/23/2009 3:25 PM |
|
I've had parrots with GSPs. Did not have any issues. In my pet store days, I sold a cockatiel and a GSP puppy to a girl who worked for me and the dog would carry the cockatiel in it's mouth and the bird loved it. The bird and dog are still alive today.
I have had a Blue and Gold macaw, an umbrella cockatoo and cockatiels live free in the house with 2 of our first GSPs. I don't think the dogs care about them b/c their brains are not wired for their scent,but that's just a guess. |
|
"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
|
|
|
Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:712
|
| 07/23/2009 3:28 PM |
|
I have a bird as well. Leena used to annoy him at first, but she is fine now.
Where in PA are ya?  |
|
Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
|
|
|
Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6938
|
| 07/23/2009 3:51 PM |
|
| I actually have a cockatiel, three shorthairs and two cats. They all live amicably in the same house. I agree with you on the dog having fun in the ring. My oldest, I retired from obedience because she just didn't like it, period. Her real calling is as a therapy dog. She loves it and has a special gift for working with mentally challenged kiddos. My middle girl who is my HIT Nationals champ loves, loves obedience. She and I have a special relationship and when we get in the ring together we just click. It doesn't matter whether it is obedience, conformation or agility she loves being in the ring and works her heart out. So, as long as she loves it we will be doing obedience. She will make her debut in Open A this fall and I will hopefully be showing her again in obedience at the Nationals in Gainesville next May. My boy lives to hunt, but I believe will some day make a great obedience dog as well. We shall see. Hopefully, I will see you in the obedience ring someday with Xara. Good luck with her and post pictures when you can. |
|
Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
|
|
Marie
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:2671
|
| 07/23/2009 4:52 PM |
|
Many of us GSPs love to chase and retrieve tennis balls to burn off GSP energy in our Backyards. A chuck-it is wonderful to save our parents arms Love, Rocky |
|
Marie and Rocky, a tall, high energy GSP
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab18/Annette_Merryfield/100_0285.jpg?t=1287205231 |
|
|
|
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
|
|
ActiveForums 3.7
|
You must be logged in to use this module.
|