emmastace
Marlow, Buckinghamshire, UK
Posts:14
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| 03/09/2011 7:05 AM |
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Hi
I have joined this forum because I was hoping to get some advice from people who know the breed well.
I have had two GSP's my first girl from a puppy and she died last year aged 17. She was dream, almost trained herself to be the perfect pet and never gave me a moments concern. I now have a two year old bitch that I have had for 8 months and we got her from a rescue when she was 16 months. She had been born in a puppy farm (mill) and had two owners before us. Most of her life (from 5 months to 14 months) she was chained in a yard without any shelter or stimulation. She came to us without any skills at all and has been brilliant at learning. I still have a couple of issues that I need help with and was hoping their were people here who could give good advice. I will leave it now as the post will be huge and hope someone gets back to me. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7835
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Marie
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:2721
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| 03/09/2011 7:35 AM |
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Welcome!! Wow!! your first GSP living 17 years. That is just awesome!! My advice is to join as dog training class to help with her. She will gain new found confidence with learning new things in class with other dogs. Also take her on leash walks while teaching her to walk loose leash,(not pulling your arm off). My Rocky is a rescue we adopted at 12 months. I viewed him at that time as a blank artist canvas that I needed to paint and add bright colors in his new life. Also establish a daily GSP Activity that is going to burn energy. Our activity was retrieving Tennis balls using a chuck-it to save our arms, Best Wishes and welcome. Rocky is our second GSP. Our first GSP was Poge, male , who lived 16 years and was an angel too , easy to train with no issues. We have similar dog situations, except you have girls and we have boys!! |
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Marie and Rocky, a tall, high energy GSP
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab18/Annette_Merryfield/100_0285.jpg?t=1287205231 |
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emmastace
Marlow, Buckinghamshire, UK
Posts:14
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| 03/09/2011 7:49 AM |
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Thank you.
My main issue that we haven't resolved yet are that I really can't get a reliable recall. I have worked with a behaviourist because the usual methods where you start close and work up to further away weren't getting to the problem. She is perfect in the home and garden but is awful out in open land. She is a much bigger hunter than my last dog and is happy to go out of sight. My old dog never went out of sight. When she is focussed on hunting she just doesn't respond. The behaviourist said that she is a very highly reactive dog and just can't hear me when she is on scent. Will this get better as she learns to trust me after her past? She is still only just two, will she get better as she settles down. She is fabulous in most other things. She also still holds other dogs by the scruff of the neck. This is rare but happens without warning. The behaviourist says that this is because she came to us without spending time with other dogs before and doesn't recognise signals from them. When she is too hyped and stimulated she forgets what to do when play gets rough so holds so they can't hurt her. She doesn't break the skin or do any other physical damage. I am working hard to introduce her to other dogs and she has improved so much. With these two problems I can't let her run off-leash and she is not getting proper exercise as I have to use a long line. Will these things get better if I carry on the way I have been. |
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MainCreeksRemi
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:824
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| 03/09/2011 9:01 AM |
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First, welcome to the forum.
Second....I'm going to be watching for advice on the recall thing because we are still struggling with it with our GSP Remi. Its worst when we're playing fetch...its almost like he doesn't want to come back b/c he'd rather just run around with the toy than retrieve it. ANd thats ok, but I would like him to come when he's called. We work on training every day too, and he does have it down with minimal distractions...but testing him out in the yard with distractions is proving difficult.
As for dealing with other dogs, its just going to take time. She needs socialization. Start watching for her to give distress signals as if she's uncomfortable and redirect her attention elsewhere. Picking up on cues the dogs give is something I've gotten very good at having a somewhat reactive dog before.
Best wishes to you! |
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Loved by Kelley:
Remi (7/3/2010) GSP
Morgan (5/17/2008) Choco Lab
Nallah (8/6/2006) Black Lab |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7835
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| 03/09/2011 9:29 AM |
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The way I get a reliable recall makes use of an ecollar eventually. I start out training the normal way, no distractions on leash moving further away as the dog gets better. Then add in distractions and distance, eventually working off leash in a controlled area. I also take the dog on walks on a flexi and recall them back to me periodically until they come without any tug from me. Now at this point the dog should understand the recall and some are fine to let them off leash in a field and they will come when called. Some however get so focused on other things or just realize you have no way to enforce your recall and they don't come. That is when I introduce the ecollar. Of course, you have to condition them to the ecollar so they do not get collar wise, so I have my dogs wearing ecollars (not turned on) for many months ahead of time when we go walking or wherever. Also, you will need to find the appropriate stim level per the instructions on your ecollar. After all of the above has been done I take them to a field with ecollar on and turn them loose. I let them get busy doing something and then I call them. If they do not come I press and hold the stimulation until they look or turn back to me and then I immediately release. It typically takes only one time and they will come when called. For my most stubborn, I have them wearing the ecollar as insurance even when they are good on a recall.
As for the retrieve question, that is easy to fix. Take a chair and book and set yourself up in the yard. Your job is to keep your behind planted in the chair. Toss the toy and give your retrieve command. Don't say a word to your dog. If the dog brings it back to you, you can toss it again. If they don't and start the run around thing, pick up your book and read and completely ignore your dog. It usually does not take more than a few minutes and they bring the toy back for the game to continue. If they do not bring it back after a long period, pick up the chair and go inside and the game is over. Repeat. Eventually you will have to dog that not only brings you the toy, but also will place it in your hand. It usually doesn't take very long assuming you do not get up and participate in the dogs chase game. Also, stop the retrieve game with your dog always wanting more.
As for the dog socialization, I think if you know a nice calm dog that has good socialization, see if you can setup play dates with that dog. Your pup will learn from the other dog or dogs. |
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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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MainCreeksRemi
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:824
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| 03/09/2011 9:34 AM |
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Thanks for that Bev, very helpful! I'm sure it will help the OP too!  |
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Loved by Kelley:
Remi (7/3/2010) GSP
Morgan (5/17/2008) Choco Lab
Nallah (8/6/2006) Black Lab |
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Smylinacha
Connecticut
MH
Posts:1208
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| 03/09/2011 11:12 AM |
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| Welcome! This is the best place to find any info on gsps! Just reading this thread I am learning a ton of good stuff. Must be different for you because you don't really know where she came from. So nice to rescue her! What is her name? |
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emmastace
Marlow, Buckinghamshire, UK
Posts:14
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| 03/09/2011 11:12 AM |
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Thank you both. I will try those tips and hopefully move forward. She is such a lovely dog she deserves the help. |
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everbell
Kanata, ON
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Posts:3164
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| 03/09/2011 11:24 AM |
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Welcome to the forum. Bless you for rescuing her.
Sounds like you're doing the right things, getting a behaviourist involved from the start. Be patient she will come around. Remember she is damaged goods and didn't have the luxury of being raised in a warm loving trusting environment. As you know. these dogs are smart and eager to please. |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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JMSGunner
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:785
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| 03/09/2011 11:37 AM |
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Bev, I am totally going to try the chair/book thing! Gun is about 90% inside, will drop in my hand but outside he is a silly beast.
I also need to invest in an ecollar! Recommendations? |
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Jackie & Gunner
Impressive Gewehr von Catskill 4/19/2010
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Phillyo118
UK
MH
Posts:681
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| 03/09/2011 11:38 AM |
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| Welcome to the forum! Where in the UK are you? |
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"From the dog's point of view, his master is an elongated and abnormally cunning dog."
"My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am." |
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tnbndr
New Berlin, Wisconsin
MH
Posts:115
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| 03/09/2011 11:56 AM |
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Without pics, it didn't happen. We need to see this lovely girl.
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Dennis |
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emmastace
Marlow, Buckinghamshire, UK
Posts:14
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| 03/09/2011 12:06 PM |
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Hi, thanks again to everyone that has posted replies. My dog's name is Mia. She is a b/w GSP which is still unusual in this country. I will try and put up a picture of her but don't know how to on here. |
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emmastace
Marlow, Buckinghamshire, UK
Posts:14
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| 03/09/2011 12:13 PM |
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Looks like I managed the pics x |
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emmastace
Marlow, Buckinghamshire, UK
Posts:14
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| 03/09/2011 2:49 PM |
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Posted By Phillyo118 on 03/09/2011 11:38 AM
Welcome to the forum! Where in the UK are you?
I have managed to fill in a few details and add a couple of pics now. I am in Marlow in Bucks. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7835
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| 03/09/2011 2:49 PM |
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| Jackie - I like Tritronics, but there are others out there that are good too. Check out Gun Dogs Supply online as they have a comparison. |
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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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MainCreeksRemi
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:824
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| 03/09/2011 2:56 PM |
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| Mia is absolutely beautiful!!! |
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Loved by Kelley:
Remi (7/3/2010) GSP
Morgan (5/17/2008) Choco Lab
Nallah (8/6/2006) Black Lab |
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emmastace
Marlow, Buckinghamshire, UK
Posts:14
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| 03/09/2011 4:33 PM |
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Posted By MainCreeksRemi on 03/09/2011 2:56 PM
Mia is absolutely beautiful!!!
Awwwww, thank you. It was a bit of a shock when I arrived at the rescue because I had never seen a b/w before, but fell in love with her anyway. My last bitch was really flashy l/w with a full saddle. She was gorgeous too. In a funny way I am glad that Mia is b/w because it means I don't compare the two dogs in any way.
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Max2
Oneonta NY
MH
Posts:1109
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| 03/09/2011 4:50 PM |
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Posted By JMSGunner on 03/09/2011 11:37 AM
Bev, I am totally going to try the chair/book thing! Gun is about 90% inside, will drop in my hand but outside he is a silly beast.
I also need to invest in an ecollar! Recommendations?
Dogtra 200NCP Gold The vibrate/pager feature is nice.
Inexpensive and works well. Got it from the collar clinic.
http://www.collarclinic.com/
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Chris |
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