Rescue gundog

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Rescue gundog

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Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 06 4:53 pm Post subject: Rescue gundog

Has anyone rescued or inherited a gundog? I've seen various rescue homes advertise they have gundogs available and when I eventually leave work I would like to take one on - as much to teach myself as to train the dog.

I don't expect a gundog to be able to retrieve game from a long distance, prepare it for the pot and start making recipe suggestions but I would like to be able to train it to stay by my side, flush on command and hopefully retrieve game without too many teeth marks. Is there any hope of being able to train an older dog and one that is perhaps not very well trained? Is there anything I should be aware of and take into account?

Penny Outskirts

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 23385
Location: Planet, not on the....

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 06 5:03 pm Post subject:
Phew... I had a horrid feeling your were going to post a picture of a georgeous dog that needed a home.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 06 5:29 pm Post subject:
From my limited experience I'd say that taking on any rescue dog can be a risk. IMHO training a dog for the first time is hard enough, without adding to the difficulties for yourself by taking on an older/poorly trained animal.

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 06 5:40 pm Post subject:

I think Sean is right. A mixed-up, poorly or half-trained rescue dog probably isn't the one to start your dog-training career with.
I would also want to be pretty sure why the dog was a rescue in the first place - if it was sent there because it had got a taste for fresh pheasant, then you will be on a hiding to nothing. It may make a perfectly good companion dog, but would be useless for working.

Nanny

Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Posts: 4520
Location: carms in wales

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 06 8:14 pm Post subject:

taking on any rescue dog is difficult i know but i don't think that it can't be rewarding for both you and the dog

i certainly would find out why the dog is up for rehoming....it doesnt' always follow that it is because it didn't want to hunt, a lot of dogs end up beign victims of marriage breakdowns or perhaps it didn't get on with another dog, all manner of reasons.

i think the most important thing to remember with any rescued dog is that they are confused, often can't understand what they have done wrong and need to find security in a new home . they also need to know their place in the new order even if it is only you and the dog and bugs that comprise the new order .

it all takes a lot of time and patience.........the first thing to establish is your relationship with the dog and leave any training until both of you are happy with the new situation. it can take as long as a year for the animal to really settle in

a learning curve on both sides but wonderful when you finally see the results

and don't forget that any good rehoming place should ask as many questions of you as you ask about the dog...they really should want to make sure that the dog doesn't come back to them again

Colin & Jan

Joined: 03 Mar 2006
Posts: 203
Location: Dover, Kent

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 06 8:30 pm Post subject:
From experience, and I have Labs and Spaniels; if you have limited experience training dogs then go for a puppy from stock that is known to you or on recommendation from friends. I have trained gundogs from homes before and whilst you may be lucky and pick up an excellent companion and worker the odds are stacked against you. Get a puppy and you can both grow together. Regards Colin

Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Tue Mar 07, 06 7:08 am Post subject:

Thanks for the replies. When I grew up we had rescue dogs but both were puppies. I now walk a friends' dog who spend his first year in a home and although is a lovely dog he is very hard to train. I have also read that some of the rescue gun dogs are where people can't look after them any more rather than the dog has any problems but I would, of course, ask about their history. There's also a chance that the dog could have lost it's hearing.

I think it would be worth asking the home to see what they say and i also think there are specific charities that aim to rehome gundogs.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46296
Location: yes

Posted: Tue Mar 07, 06 7:55 am Post subject:

dogs adapt to a new pack , human and / or hound , very well cos they have been doing it for generations .
all dogs are individuals with their own personalities ,physical abilities and intelligence .
it is easier to train from newborn , harder from puppy ,hardest from adult .
all dogs are trainable .they learn fastest from other dogs .this can be good or bad .
what you bring out of a dog may not be what somebody else has .
learn as much as you can about hounds .
choose your new hound for personality and hopefully ability .do this carefully carefully .
woof.

hils

Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 568
Location: Nottingham

Posted: Tue Mar 07, 06 9:45 am Post subject:

T - depending on when you want one-I know of a dog that will be going into retirement at the end of the year and does do the basics. IIRC he's not ancient but the farmer involved is getting upset because when he retires dogs he likes them to live an indoor lifestyle. His elderly parents (who he's had to move in with to look after) won;t entertain dogs inside.

The dog is a Spaniel x.

Farmer involved may talk his folks round in the mean time but I could keep my ear open if you like?

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Tue Mar 07, 06 10:09 am Post subject:
Ohhhhhh. Noooo. Hils, you mustn't make rash posts like that, there could be impressionable Bugses reading

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Tue Mar 07, 06 12:10 pm Post subject:

hils wrote:

The dog is a Spaniel x.

Farmer involved may talk his folks round in the mean time but I could keep my ear open if you like?

It will not hurt to keep an ear open if you can, not quite sure when we would be ready though as I will only take one on when we have the time to look after it. I don't think we would have too much trouble finding an older / retired dog and I think it would fit in well and we would let it stay inside (there's a place reserved in front of our fire for a hound or two).

leebu

Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 418
Location: east yorkshire

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 06 11:10 am Post subject:

My dog was a rescue dog, 7 years old at the time and I got lucky I think because he is lovely and still has many of the skills he was trained with.

I think it depends what your primary reason for getting a dog is. If it's to work it, then get a puppy and do it yourself because you never know what might happen when your start barking (forgive the pun) orders to the dog or put it next to guns. You could ned up with an animal that has been ruined as a gun dog and that wouldn't be fair on you or it.
If however, your main motivation is to give a good home to an animal that desperately needs it and as an aside maybe do some shooting too then I would say go for it! Older dogs can be retrained but they need a lot more patience and there is always the chance that training can open up a whole can of very unpleasant memories for the dog which would be unfair to rake up.
Let us know what you decide though!

Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 06 12:25 pm Post subject:

leebu wrote:

If however, your main motivation is to give a good home to an animal that desperately needs it and as an aside maybe do some shooting too then I would say go for it!

Definately this option. Mostly long country walks with the odd chance of a bit of rough shooting. As long as the dog's not too critical of my shooting I'll be happy.

hils

Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 568
Location: Nottingham

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 06 3:03 pm Post subject:

Bugs wrote:

Ohhhhhh. Noooo.

Hils, you mustn't make rash posts like that, there could be impressionable Bugses reading

Hehe!
I won't mention anything to said farmer. The dog will be used to train a young puppy then kind of phased out as the puppy learns. The new puppy comes in a month. I will keep a close eye on the situation though!

Nanny

Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Posts: 4520
Location: carms in wales

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 06 8:24 pm Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

leebu wrote:

If however, your main motivation is to give a good home to an animal that desperately needs it and as an aside maybe do some shooting too then I would say go for it!

Definately this option. Mostly long country walks with the odd chance of a bit of rough shooting. As long as the dog's not too critical of my shooting I'll be happy.

if that is all you are after then give a dog a home

there are so many deserving animals out there, none of it is their fault

they do have problems, kids that are abandoned by their parents all have problems but they have social workers and case workers and doctors and all sorts

all a rescue dog has is you.....

i tried hard to remember that when my rescued greyhound ate the furniture..........i am now very glad i did

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