GSP or GWP in need of foster or forever home

[Huntbear]

Dylan is a 7 yr old GSP/GWP that is about to be put down by his current owner.  Why?  well after all his training that he has (and he's highly trained) is now gun shy. He has impeccable house manners.  Will go lay on his bed when asked to "kennel" but is not put in a kennel.  Is not a runner and will come when called, etc.  How far into his training, i do not know. Because his owner is ready to put him down because of the shyness, we dont have much time.  I am looking for a foster and/or forever home.  He would make a fantastic running partner, great companion, etc.  I personally do not know anything about the dog but my friend who is working with me will know more tomorrow after she gets him.

Please please please let me know if you can be of any help!

Thank you,
Stephanie Hansen

1thirstyboots@gmail.com

or contact me, if you prefer.

I would take the dog myself, but I already have a GWP that is just 2, and have no room for another.

[Stilly bay]

he has a sweet face. do you know the severity of his gun shyness? and what got him to that point? it might be something a new owner can turn around with the right help.

hope he finds a new home, he deserves better than what he had.

[SeaRun1]

Is the any way to fix the sudden gun shyness?  I am just starting to look for a gun dog myself. 

SR1

[h20hunter]

Damn shame. Not my place to tell people what to do with their dogs but I sure don't think he should be put down. If I had the space I'd love to help. Best I can do is spread the word.

[Stilly bay]

Is the any way to fix the sudden gun shyness?  I am just starting to look for a gun dog myself. 

SR1

there are ways to work through " sudden" gun shyness, its not a quick or easy fix. being scared of the gun is much easier to prevent than it is to cure.

[SnakeEyes]

Where is the dog located?

[Whitpirate]

I've got a wife that runs half and full marathons and we're out of town on acreage..... where's Dylan located?  Is he cut?  Papers won't matter to me I'm looking on how he'd handle living with my 2 boys, and a 13 and 12 year old chessie/lab crosses.

[Huntbear]

Whitpirate, you have a PM

[10Key]

Sorry to hear, good looking pup. I commend your effort

[Huntbear]

The dog is in Federal Way right now.  Will be in Eatonville tomorrow sometime, so not far to go if even you live in Eburg area...

[wildweeds]

I've seen multiple dogs so scared of the gun they run and hide under vehicles or whatever is handy if you have anything that resembles a gun in your hand cured,course there is only one guy that can fix em if they are that bad.Fact is he has a dog that is that gunshy BECAUSE of another well known trainer in his kennel right now fixing it of being  extremely shy of the gun.

[Bluemoon]

I do not mean this to be boastful,  But turning around gun shy dogs is a specialty of ours here.   It does take time and patience.  We have had dogs here who as Wildweed stated was under the car and trying to claw their way in to the vehicle after the gunshot.  All these dogs went on to have outstanding careers as FC/MH and just darn good hunting dogs.  99.90% of gun shy dogs IMO is man made!!!
What I'm getting at is don't give up on them!!!

[Huntbear]

More info on Dylan....


its been confirmed.  Dylan IS a GWP. He has a foster home with my friend's mom across the way on their farm.   Now to find that forever home for him!

Dylan slept well last night on his bed and is great friends with the JRT's that live there permanently. He does have a dominance issue with some male dogs but is easily fixed with a reprimand.

He played well with my friend's GSP but did try to hump her dog a couple times.  The first 2 were nothing as Hinder had a ball in his mouth and then it was all about the ball.  3rd time, Hinder growled at him and that was the end of it. 

So lets put our heads together and get that boy a forever home!  I'll have more photos as soon as I get them!  Also more info too I am sure!

Thanks,
Stephanie

[ICEMAN]

Is his hair trimmed in the pics, I thought the wirehaired were a bit shaggier...?

[NW-GSP]

Wildweeds helped me out allot when it came to training my dog! He has allot of good info!

[Huntbear]

Is his hair trimmed in the pics, I thought the wirehaired were a bit shaggier...?

Ice, you can get them both ways.. my GWP has a bit of a beard, some wirey tufts on his back and lets..  but is a GWP.   Others look all shaggy, etc.... the GWP that was in the show ring at Westminster Dog Show looked a lot like Dylan and my Rex....

[ICEMAN]

We are considering finally replacing our last dog, and thinking GWP. Like the shaggy ones...

[JLS]

To each their own, but I couldn't fathom putting a dog down because he was gun shy.

I hope Dylan finds a home.

[Birddogman]

.There is a way to cure this man made issue, "gun shyness".  The old chicken trick.  Anyways, besides that there is an awesome group of GWP owners in WA. that run Seattle-Tacoma German Wirehaired Pointer Club and there is also a breed rescue I think.  Penny Lundgen is the VP and her husband runs AKC Events (in Charlotte, NC.) and is a AKC VP with them.  I have heard of them fostering or helping others find temp homes before relocated.  Here is the club contact (360) 275-4245. 

The chicken trick can work if done properly, but will take a really hungry dog and a loose chicken to cure.  Hunger can over ride an reaction to an uncomfortable feeling or emotion.  So when I train a pup early on with gun fire I associate with food.  Put the food down, step away....wake way away...pop the cap gun.  Each day closer and closer and then growing in sound until Im firing my 12 gauge and no reaction....just pleasure to food.  the chicken trick is like this, but a crash course.  After starving the dog for 3 days (provide water of course), bring out a chicken and dance it for the dog.  put it away.  That afternoon bring it out again but this time lead the dog out into open field void of cover.  Put a lead on the dog.  work the bird up (use another person for this), let the dog lunge and grasp for the bird.  Have a third person waiting with a .410 (pointed away from the situation and standing away from the dog).  When the time is right throw the chicken out from the dog and drop the lead.  When the dog makes contact and is in the moment let the lead fly.  Gather the dog up and let him eat the chicken.  I know you all are thinking this is stupid, but it works.  If the dog had a good foundation before then you can bring it back by making the chase game and pleasure of capture fun again.

This is a man made mistake!  People get a pup and put them down and blow off a big gun, Stupid!  Take time and set a good foundation and you will never ever have an issue with guns, fireworks or noisy old back fires. 

If you can't find a home, I may consider. 

[Huntbear]

Latest report this morning... still looking for a home for this guy. 

[Happy Gilmore]

Latest report this morning... still looking for a home for this guy.

How do you know Steph? Been friends with her and her husband for a long time

[Bluemoon]

Bird dog man
Just an FYI
Doug and Penny have been divorced for over 30 years..

[Whitpirate]

We're in follow-up negotiations right now on Dylan.