tnbndr
New Berlin, Wisconsin
MH
Posts:111
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| 05/20/2010 4:15 AM |
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Just curious if anyone has converted a kennel dog to a house dog? Just acquired a 4 yr old female and she is adjusting pretty well for the first week but has no house manners, we keep enforcing rules just wondering how long it might take before she settles in like our other GSP.
We both work all day so she stays crated until we can trust her. Our other GSP can be left for 10 hours with the run of the house and no problems. Are we asking for or hoping for too much out of the new dog? |
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Dennis |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3914
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| 05/20/2010 6:50 AM |
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Having been a kennel dog for 4 years really does create a dog who doesn't want to "wear a suit and tie".
What comes to mind is you will have to simplify your commands,making sure she really does know what you want from her, then there may be the need to teach her self control,learning to calm oneself after growing up "loose" can be frustrating for her.
Spending "special" time with her training,walking and practicing manners will help a whole bunch. This will help with the bonding,too. One thing I would consider doing is not allowing the dogs to rough house it in the house - the house needs to represent a quiet,calm and in control atmosphere.
Pictures please. |
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"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
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 05/20/2010 8:10 AM |
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I agree with pixie. Also, she has only been with you for a week. She is still adjusting. Getting her into a routine will help too. And, of course, training. She needs to learn the rules and boundaries. Stay persistent and consistent. Good luck and I am sure she will get there, just be patient.
And I second pictures?? |
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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 |
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tnbndr
New Berlin, Wisconsin
MH
Posts:111
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| 05/20/2010 9:42 AM |
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OK, that was going to be our plan of attack. Consistent commands. We stop any rough play in the house immediately. Yes, we want calm and house manners indoors. She does calm eventually but usually for short periods and then gets up and explores again. Even with the other dog laying on the floor chilling out.
I will try to get some pictures and post tonight.
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Dennis |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3914
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| 05/20/2010 10:15 AM |
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Exploring in the house is normal behavior, I would allow this. It actually gives you the opportunity to correct any undesired behaviors. Be fair,persistent and consistent
with your rules and don't feel bad about upping the correction to get your desired results. This is prime time for her to test the waters, how you handle things in the first 6 months or so will set the stage for the next 10+ years - God willing.
If you feel her exploring is due to anxiety then I would attempt to setle her in "her" place - a place she knows she can be safe.
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"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
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tnbndr
New Berlin, Wisconsin
MH
Posts:111
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| 05/20/2010 7:36 PM |
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Yes, while she is exploring we keep an eye on her and when she tries something we don't want we firmly say NO.
Here are some pics:
Meeka on the Left, Zelda on the right. Zelda is the newcomer:
 ![]() ![]()  " />
The girls fooling around:
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Dennis |
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unowhoandwhy
Middleofnowhere, NH
MH
Posts:1794
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| 05/21/2010 12:28 PM |
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| Zelda looks very happy to be a house dog! I am sure that with some consistent, fair training she will become a wonderful house dog. Good luck! |
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Daniel Yankee Flyer - 8/2002
Lady Layla - 1/2006 |
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tnbndr
New Berlin, Wisconsin
MH
Posts:111
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| 05/21/2010 3:17 PM |
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We had a really good day today. It was raining out most of the day so I stayed inside and hung with the girls. Zelda is learning to relax a little and not follow us at every move. She is also inching closer and closer to Meeka. They really get along great but can get rough sometimes when playing.
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Dennis |
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unowhoandwhy
Middleofnowhere, NH
MH
Posts:1794
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| 05/21/2010 10:07 PM |
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Shorthairs can play pretty rough (or sound like it, anyway!). As long as neither dog is getting injured or objecting then I would let them play.
"Second hand" dogs do take a little while to completely settle in, especially ones that have never been house dogs, but the time spent helping them adjust is so worth it! |
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Daniel Yankee Flyer - 8/2002
Lady Layla - 1/2006 |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:2438
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| 05/22/2010 5:00 AM |
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| Both are very cute! Zelda looks like she is getting very comfy with her new home and friend. I second the playing rough mine are like monsters and when they are outside I often wonder if the neighbors think they are trying to kill each other, LOL! |
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http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2553
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2554 |
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flygirl
Muncy, PA
MH
Posts:394
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| 05/23/2010 6:01 PM |
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| Our Dutchess came to us at age 9. She was an outside kennel dog. We have had her over a year and she just loves being inside. It took some time for her to learn how to ask to be out when she had to potty. Now she is like clock work. She will come get me when it is time to eat if I haven't fed them at the exact same time and she will get me when she has to potty. Like everyone else said, patience and being consistent are the biggest things. Plus lots of love! She looks like she is fitting in very well! |
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Benelli
Abby
RIP Dutchess - 2000-2010
Cheyney the cat |
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MelB
MH
Posts:1196
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| 05/23/2010 7:24 PM |
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| it looks like they are becoming fast friends, that's awesome! Keep up the good work |
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tnbndr
New Berlin, Wisconsin
MH
Posts:111
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| 05/24/2010 4:23 AM |
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Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. It has been just over a week now and we can see some improvement in behavior. Going to stick this one out. She goes in to get spayed this week and teeth cleaned. |
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Dennis |
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boognish
Idaho
MH
Posts:105
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| 05/25/2010 8:58 AM |
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| She'll pick it up. Having another dog to model her behavior after is going to make the transition much smoother. Good lookin' dog, btw. |
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tnbndr
New Berlin, Wisconsin
MH
Posts:111
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| 07/01/2010 5:08 PM |
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6 week update. Zelda was finally spayed last week, she went into heat the day before her scheduled surgery so we had to wait it out. She is adjusting to house living better and faster than I had imagined. Everything improved after we got her ear infections cleared up, the bladder infection cleared up and finally spayed. She has not soiled in the house in over a week, knock on wood. We have been treating her just like a puppy, lots of trips outside and praise when she goes. She is very good at kenneling up when we leave and at night. Although the last 3 nights we let her sleep at the foot of our bed and she has done OK with that. Even the wife who said she would never become a house dog is starting to believe it could happen.
Going to try to put a link here to a video I took of Meeka and Zelda playing in the backyard. They seem to enjoy it. No vocalization at all, just a lot of teasing and ramming. Fun to watch.
www.youtube.com/watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqop68TQ_dE |
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Dennis |
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vnrose53
MH
Posts:321
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| 07/01/2010 5:42 PM |
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That is a great video! Its as if they choreographed all their spins, chest-bumps, and chases! Zelda is one lucky girl and I bet your other dog loves having a buddy. |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:2438
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| 07/02/2010 5:56 AM |
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| Looks like they were having lots of fun! |
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http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2553
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2554 |
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unowhoandwhy
Middleofnowhere, NH
MH
Posts:1794
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| 07/02/2010 10:40 AM |
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| I'm glad she is doing well, they look very happy. I love when mine play like that! |
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Daniel Yankee Flyer - 8/2002
Lady Layla - 1/2006 |
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