EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

Would like to hear ways you have gotten a dog to trust and accept you as its new owner. I got a new female a few weeks back. Waiting for her to accept me. Would like to hear do s and dont s from experience. She will load and un load fine. Will also come when called. I am working to get beyond the average bond with her. Those of you who get that,please respond. She isn't your typical dog,hard to discribe.

Bring her with you everywhere you can.


"the sun is shining somewhere in texas" -Jason Boland

I've got one right now that's makin' a pretty decent dog, but it still doesn't seem like she thinks i'm her "owner", if that makes any sense at all. But, she is steadily getting better. Once I quit trying to make her come, or load up, and just set back and let her come to me, she improved 100 percent.

When I let her out of the pen I don't give her any attention at all. Just go sit down and drink a beer. If she decides she wants to come to me, then I will give her a pat on the head. When it's time to feed and she goes to the pen, just give her a pat on the head and be done with it. Some dogs you just have to let come on to you I reckon.

Takes time, Sometimes longer with certain dogs. Catch a few hogs with her and she will get better and know she can count on you to do your job if that makes sence. I owned a BlackMouth years ago that was hard to bond with. A buddy of mine raised her and i hunted with her for the 1st year of her life. I bought her and loaded her up, got home and she growled at me when i got her out of the box and after a year or so she was my buddy. She would not come to anyone else when hunting except my wife. I swear sometimes she would stop and look back at me to make sure i was coming into the bay behind her. Caught lots and lots of hogs with her. I had to earn her respect i believe. She ended up one of my Top 3 dogs ever. She just died last year at 11..Miss that dog every day. 

I'll bet I know which one your having this trouble with. If I'm right, then my Personal solution has been one on one time and lots of it. I put both of mine who are that way in the woods WITH JUST ME AND THEM Once a day. We're not always hunting, most of the time just walking.

Also a lot of time spent with you by your side while you ain't doin nothin special, whatever you eat, break em off a bite after your done.

having "treats" helped my one owner dog A LOT! she looks forward to seeing me now even though I dont giver her hot dogs anymore but in the beginning it doesnt hurt to bribe them a little

Used to do it with hard-case horses all the time... works well on dogs too...
 
Once you get them in, put 'em in a pen(I tied horses to a pole for days sometimes), no water, no food.  They tend to get thirsty/hungry perty quick...  only way they get either is through me.  I want that animal to view me as his "savior" for lack of a better word.  Some take longer than others and may have to be "eased" into it, i.e., maybe just getting them to "tolerate" you being close initially while they drink... eventually eating from your hand.

... very good way to "break one down" so as you might "build him back up"....

as said, massive amounts of time(WITHOUT the stress of expectation of performance in any sort)... helps the animal get comfortable and allows communication to evolve.

Gotta make friends before you ask an animal to do something for you

I had the same problem with my lab I was the only one who fed him for about a week and took him swimming with down at the river and played fetch with him for a week and they will start to see you as there owner.

make them eat from your hand everytime you feed her until she comes around.

The dog will eat,load, ride and come to me. Looking to "bond" on higher level.

One on one time, obedience helps

X2

don't force the dog to do anything...keep her kenneled up or on the chain...pet her and give her tidbits of treats....sit along side her for a while and take her for long walks on the leash...some cur dogs are bad about not hunting for anyone except for the original owner, and they will not hunt for the new owner until the dog accepts him or her...just about all of the advise so far sounds right to me...

Lots of time.  Do the Cesar Milan and take the dog on walks. It Builds the pack mentality.  Let the dog eat out of your hands.

Waylon