Help me with this Dog!

[Small_Savage]

I'm no stranger to athletic, energetic dogs that seemingly need to be in constant motion.  With two border collies that I raised when I was living in an apartment, it was a task unto itself.  I had to take each dog running every day, and both to the park.  People probably have it easier with newborn babies than with two border collies in an apartment. 

The energy level of the German Shorthair is definitely one of the reasons that I was drawn to them.  If hunting wasn't happening, the Springer was kind of a dud in the personality department.  He'd jump up and run around the house if you waved a pheasant feather around his face when he was sleeping, though.

[Machias]

It's a real bummer.  I had a plott hound a few years ago.  Awesome looking dog and very gritty with bears, lion and coons.  Super fast dog.  Problem was on the tree he would select a spot and that was it, no one else could go near his spot.  I had to put him down, broke my heart as he had alot of potential.  Small Savage, I know it's a hard decision, one thing, no way would I pay a vet $50-$100 to put a growly dog down when I could do it myself quickly and humanely for .10 cents.

[Rowdy]

I am so glad I found this site.  I am a girl, so most of my friends (chicks) have totally freaked out that I'd be "sending this dog to an early grave" and "why can't you send him to someone like Cesar?!"... yeah... the dog whisperer. 

Thanks for the help once again.  I don't come from a family of hunters, either, so I'm glad to have a community that I can relate to when it comes to this stuff.

Has anyone had trouble with a German Shorthair like this?  I'm very interested in them.  I have gone hunting behind one and he was great. 

Shorthairs are awesome dogs.  If your gonna get one, do your homework and make sure you get one from good lines.  There are a ton of shorthairs out there and they will do just about anything.  Check out the parents and make sure the breeder hunts.  If you want any info feel free to PM me.

Jake

[TEX-X]

hey rowdy who did you get your pups through?   Rowdy makes a very good point... buy from reputable breeders.. it might cost you more in the beginning but it'll work out better later on

[Small_Savage]

Thanks for all the help and advice.  The deed has been done and the Springer is no longer with us.  

I am, however, looking forward to the possibilities with a new dog, from what I have researched so far I believe I will be going with a German Shorthair, they seem to be the best match for me.

[TEX-X]

smart choice...  keep us updated on your dog search... if you have any questions...ask and i'll try and help

[Rowdy]

hey rowdy who did you get your pups through?   Rowdy makes a very good point... buy from reputable breeders.. it might cost you more in the beginning but it'll work out better later on

My pup's Ped is Shooting Star and Saddle Tramp.  Came from Wisconsin.  Hell of a dog, IMO 

Jake

[Clumber]

Late to the party, but wanted to add that IMHO you did the exact right thing.  No one, and I mean NO ONE loves their dogs or even dogs in general more than I do... and that is exactly why I am quicker with the "silver needle" than some are.  BTW I am also a "chick".  Dogs are widely believed now to be the 1st critter that humans domesticated, even before sheep/goats.  They are now hundreds and hundreds of years hard-wired to be in deference to humans.  A dog that shows aggressiveness toward humans is not only dangerous and untrustable, but unhappy as well.  There are simply far too many good dogs out there, and far too few good homes.

I am amazed at what Cesar Millan accomplishes, and I respect him for it... but honestly, I would not recommend or condone giving some of those dogs another chance.  Might be my weakness, might be their owners'.    YMMV

And just to give you some ammo in the future, when people start getting all stupid and cushy and saying *censored* like "My dog is just like my child!" my response is "No he is not.  I can prove it.  If my dog attacks your child, I will put my dog down.  If your child attacks my dog, will you do the same?  No?   Then the dog is not the same as your child."  Oh yeah, I'm way popular with these types of folks.  MWAHAHAHAHA!

I wish peace to the soul of your ESS, and to those who loved him.  He was not happy being like that.  Springers and all hunting dogs WANT to work for and be adored by their humans.  You did him a big favor, and good luck on your next dog.  Even the right thing to do can be the hardest thing to do.

~ tracy

PS if you are on the west side, i know several field and showbred but hunting ESS breeders through the club MRSSA - Mt. Rainier Sporting Spaniel Assoc.  PM me if you would like some contacts.

[Sportfury]

Small Savage,

Shorthairs and Wirehairs are awesome dogs.

Sofie my GWP now 1



Deke GSP last year at 7

[Small_Savage]

Thanks for the pictures!  Now I'm just getting excited for a new adventure with a new dog, and new good hunting memories. 

Clumber- Tracy-  Thanks for the post.  You rock.

[whitey]

Sorry about the whole thing.
My Last 2 dogs got creamed by the train.
This is thier replacement.
Sometimes good comes from bad.It did for Me.

[mad-bomber]

i am nowhere near being called a trainer but i have trained 3 labs with "loves and treats"! they are all on hand signals while hunting and blind retrieves. my newest pups is a chocalate female and in 1 hotdog i taught her to sit and stay. 7 ritzs crackers and she was laying down. i would try to give the dog treats when he runs with the other dogs.put their food together and make them eat next to each other if the dog growls at the other dog say "NO!" and put him in the kennel. always reward everytime he does something good. do not hit him that will only make matters worse.you got to make the know they can trust you and you are happy with them when they do good. i have 5 buddies with hunting dogs that use the spank the but and shock coller deal and they suck! you want your dog to want to do what you say not do it becuase if they dont their going to get beat! im sure some of you have a dog that gets the old whack for doing something wrong and still is a good dog but i guarantee i could train them without the hitting. just my two cents.

[TEX-X]

IMO the electronic collar is a very good training tool... as long as the dog is collar conditioned properly... honestly if dogs that were trained with it SUCK... the greats like the smiths and so on would not have put as many trial wins under their belt.  i know you said you have labs.... but coming from a person who has trained versatile shorthairs... there is no better way of correcting an infraction when the dog is 2-3 or even 400 yards out... at least not that i know of...  in your personal opinion mad-bomber how would you go on correcting a dog that creeps on point when you are 300 yards away... Whoa means whoa... if they don't come to a staunch point when they hit the scent cone they are going to get corrected...

[TEX-X]

now i do agree that there are two types of dogs... introverts and extroverts....  the use of the shock collar may not be necessary when you are dealing with an introvert.....  but get your hands on an extrovert pointer and tell me the electronic collar is not necessary

[Machias]

The problem is not the shock collars, it's the fingers on the buttons.  Many a dog has been ruined by the guy holding the transmitter.  There is a proper way to use them and ALOT of guys have no clue.