Foxhound in the House

Details: Ask the Experts; By Hugh Robards, Jerry Miller, and Gail Anderson

foxhound and parrot At home with Cathy and friendCathy Eising has a twenty-month-old foxhound out of her mother’s rescue foxhound, and she works at his training diligently. She writes:

“I am seeking advice on how to raise the foxhound as a family dog, especially off-leash training. Will he ever stop chasing wild things and pay attention to me outdoors? I have done a lot of obedience with him, and all areas are coming well except off leash outdoors. He needs to run and I can't walk fast enough or long enough for him to get properly exercised, so I need to trust that he will come when called under all circumstances (including around deer). I'm very dedicated and work with him every day.”

Comments

# CATHY EISING 2013-02-05 09:35

Thank you all for these thought provoking and helpful comments. I will be in touch as the training progresses.
Cathy

# Ellen Jefferies 2013-02-07 11:43

Sounds like a dog I own, who is now 2. Training comes in 2 parts. I don't know why the training has to all be off leash but it does seem to work that way, otherwise they seem to associate the commands and obedience with the leash. First train the command in the house with the hound by saying the command and shoving a treat in his mouth. Repeatedly. At every opportunity. Increase the distance until he will come running from anywhere in the house.. You want a Pavlov's response. Then move outside with the training collar(s) and still off leash starting very close and separating gradually using the collar if he ignores the command. Repeatrepeatrep eat. They have to learn it first when they are attentive before it will work when they're trying to run off.

I had to use 2 collars at the same time on my boy, shave his neck and wet it to get his attention. A real block head and not at all soft; and young, and very prey oriented. He learned.

Gryphon Too's mom

# Adrianna Waddy 2015-02-24 09:57

I have adopted two retirees (both male PMD) and they were the most fabulous dogs we have ever had--particular ly the full PMD, who was only four but kicked and injured. We did neuter them eventually but for health reasons as much as anything. Currently we have TWO three year olds: one PMD and one American, both females, one injured and one orphaned. All of these are from the same hunting pack. The American is hard headed and although smart, not very willing. The PMD is an angel. Both have been spayed, and all four are and have been in house, in bed dogs. All in all I think they make great family members, but some are better than others, we like the PMD ones best.

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