How to calm a "wild dog"? Please help.

OhioDuckHunter · 01-06-2003, 09:20 PM

Please help! I have a 13 month old Lab that has an extreme bloodline. Her background is FC, AFC, NFC, NAFC, CFC, CNFC, CAFC. She is not too much for me (most of the time), however she is too much for my wife and kids all of the time.

What can I do to keep her to a lower level of energy in the house? It does not help that she went into her first heat about a week ago!

PLEASE HELP!

Good Luck with the Duck!

Dan O. · 01-07-2003, 05:14 PM

She'll settle down when she reaches a ripe old age of at least a couple of years old. Until then the only way that I've found to settle her down in the house is to exercise her for hours (miles) each day. She obviously is from a healthy hunting bloodline which makes her all the more hyper at her age. It's important that she knows that your family is higher up the pecking order than she is. If she is allowed to outmuscle them and show agression you're going to be in trouble. Avoid tugging games and games that she wins over a human. A playmate (another dog with a docile personality) will let her expend energy.

Dan O.

duck killer · 01-07-2003, 08:05 PM

Dan got it all pretty much. I don't think I even want to know what you paid for a dog with a bloodline like that.

Without passion.....Why bother?

TreestandEd · 01-08-2003, 09:28 AM

How much freedom of movement does she have daily, and are you running her daily. I agree she will mellow with age but for now exercise and patience probably the best medicine.

TrestandEd

"Hard work ... conviction ... pride ... responsibility ... class ... character ... success...BOWHUNTING

titianhunter · 01-08-2003, 09:03 PM

I have to agree with the rest...... Lots of excercise, running swimming & hunting. The plus is you & her stay in shape for next season. Find a preserve to hunt on the off season for upland birds or try hunt tests just to keep her going year round

There is NO such thing as a bad day HUNTING
Good Luck & Good Hunting
Dan

OhioDuckHunter · 01-09-2003, 05:33 PM

Thank you all for the great advice. I have been running Annie every evening when I get off work. This has helped greatly in the house in the evenings. The guys in the club I belong to gave me the same advice this week. I will stick with it, she is worth it.

By the way killer, $750.00 American!