We adopted a dog from the shelter a month ago. He is just 3 years old, intact up until last month, that I thought was a Labrador. Everything points to a Lab except mannerisms and his houndy bark tell me he is not Lab. He’s jet black, Lab like coat, expression, conformation fits the norm. One eye is darker than the other almost black. He was originally found in an area where dogs often run loose and breed indiscriminately. He has no interest in retrieving but seems to be good at chasing and throttling small creatures. He likes the plushy toy that he throttled the squeeker out of. I’ve tried balls, bumpers, Frisbees, and there seems to be no glimmer of excitement over any of these.

I’ve spent the last 4 weeks settling him in to a routine. During the day he kennels next to our other dogs in his own kennel, sleeps inside in a crate and spends time with me alone hooked to my waist as I do yard work or near my desk as I work. I’ve focused on recall and Im seeing a pretty dependable recall fortified with treats and just added the ecollar with low level stimulation. He is very sensitive to the collar and making sure he understands not to bolt. Along with the recall I've been training him off of the cat. Today he walked on lead, by the cat on the way to the kennel with no attempt at looking at him never mind trying to kill him. The cat saw no threat either this time. I’ve allowed him to wander around the yard alone, in the e-collar and a light 50ft cloths line when I’m am with him. He’s responding to me every time I called but I still have a pocket full of liver treats too.

I think he is a foster dog for us. Other than taking off and running I cant see any talents or desires in this dog. I’d like to cultivate something so we can try to get him adopted to a home with no expectations other than a companion. I’ve trained Labs for decades including a rescue who was screwed up by someone, but they all had some degree of desire. On walks alone he’s disinterested in anything but eating grass, strolling, stands still with a heavy sigh and looks off in the distance. Even in training he has a short interest span. I think I’m out of ideas and limited by my retriever training to come up with anything. Physically, I see what looks like weak pasterns (just googled that yesterday) and a odd gate, too much movement in his hind quarters when he’s walking. We had our “free” exam at a local vets office where I asked about what I saw including his darker eye and the vet said he was fine. I don’t think she tried very hard because it was “free”.
I don’t let him play with the other dogs. He’s too rough and too mouthy and after reading here, better handled for now, away from the other dogs. Any ideas how to get this dog out of his funk and cultivate some skill?

Here he is http://alaskadognews.com/bailey2008.aspx


Thanks in advance
http://www.alaskadognews.com

Can you tell me again about the recall? You have a very reliable recall with and without long line?

There's a lot in the post. Leaving the possible health challenges aside for the moment, have you tried very upbeat marker training, starting with basic ob?

I'd probably start with a hungry dog and some high-value treats and do a couple of very short and upbeat sessions every day to get his interest level up and maybe see what he's good at.

Kinda vague, I know, but it sounds like you are looking for a way to engage him.



P.S. A happy, eager dog doing ob (and even tricks) resulting from positive training is appealing to a potential owner.




Edited by Connie Sutherland (07/12/2008 02:15 PM)
Edit reason: p.s.

Is he good on a leash? A less active dog (like what you are describing) might be a good match for an older couple who want companionship, but aren't planning to do any super strenuous activities w/ him.

Remember too, you've only had him for a month. Is he receptive to being petted?

Also, just as an aside, I had a lab/golden retriever mix as a kid who had not a smidgeon of interest in fetching anything (although he did have an affinity for chewing slippers and played a mean game of keepaway).

He loved to hike with me though, and was a great companion dog.

Give this guy a little more time! Perhaps he's still adjusting to his new life...

(just looked at his pic; he's beautiful! Any chance you'd consider switching the halti to a prong? I'm assuming you need the halti for walking nicely? I have read that some dogs are very dejected when in the halti, due to the restriction it creates. Maybe that has something to due with his lack of enthusiasm on walks)

Bailey is off the halti. I like to use them in public for our shelter presentations. We can control while being PC for anyone. It took me a while to even get a halti but when we found our 3 foot tall, Great Dane/Greyhound I found it was helpful to use, first to control her and second to see what her motivations were without correcting. Bailey has graduated to the prong collar and was working on the ecollar adn a 50 ft line the last few days. He has one motivation, the cat. I had to crank up the collar a little to get him to come back when he spied the cat.

He likes petting, he loves my husband who is not fond of the dog. He stays near me while Im working but not ON me. He loves other dogs but plays too rough for our girls. He has some obedience to get through before he goes to anyone.He works well on a the prong but not on a choak or buckle collar. He very stong.
In some ways he's more obedient than my trained field lab especially when it come to our rituals, sitting to be fed and getting in place for the evening treat at 8pm. I think a litter mate of his is a Rescue dog. If you go back to my sight and look at the Forever Home book Wiley is the same age, size and temperment. I'm not too interested in rescue dog work but maybe I should see if he has the aptitude. I had blinders on for retrieving.

Thanks
http://www.alaskadognews.com

No I dont have a reliable recall yet and I am using food longline and the ecollar on about #2. I worked with the long line and head halter for a few weeks. Introduced the prong collar and treats for heeling work and the ecollar and treats for "kennel" and "here". He wanted to bolt for the first week I used the collar so I started inside. I started using the 50 ft line once he came back every time on the 16 ft lead. I wanted him to know the only way to go was back to me. Today he saw the cat about 100 yards away in the easement and took a few strides that way, it took a couple corrections at a #3 to get him back and forgetting about the chase.
He's becoming more likable every day and wagging his tail more. I think most of what I see is fear. Like one dog person here thinks he's just getting the idea that he doesnt have to fend for himself.
He cries wildly when I train the field labs and he can see them running and fetching bumpers. I'm trying to get the GreatDane/Greyhound to lure course, jump hurdles, and some freestile and he likes that idea too.
http://www.alaskadognews.com