Temperament in a working dog.

[wuyang 513]

I've never really had a problem with getting on with one of my working dogs before, but that changed when I decided to add another lurcher to my team, my old bitch was 10 so I thought it was a good time to get another pup. Her mum was bed/whip, dad collie/grey x whippet, she's now one year old.

 

From day one she's been a very touchy bitch and didn't really take to me, over time she's come around we get on fine, but I've had to really tip toe around her. My dogs are used to living in and out, when I shout my dogs in they fly to the door, but if she's in the mood or if its raining she'll just stay in her kennel and not come out no matter what ( even if i rattle her lead to coax her out she'll just stay there). When I take her out for run around the woods if another dog upsets her that's it she'll just hang around me and not bother hunting until it takes her fancy again. I know she's still young, the drive to hunt is there, but her temperament is really starting to grind me down. I'm really putting the time and work into her, but I don't think I will be able to alter her sensitive touchy nature, only time will tell I suppose.

 

Has anybody else out there had any dogs that have had questionable temperaments, and how did you deal with it.

 

[reddawn 2,173]

is she gettin better with age?

[wuyang 513]

The bond we have got has got better and she now shows affection towards me etc. When I bought her she seemed to like everybody other than me, but that phase has passed. The behaviour regarding staying in the kennel and been sensitive has not changed at all. She sometimes has that look as if she's been kicked, body posture very low head facing down, eyes u, like a dog in a plea add.

 

I've always enjoyed bringing on a pup, but this real sensitive side is really spoiling it.

[Runningdogs3 59]

Are you sure there is no Saluki in that pup?

[reddawn 2,173]

iv had a few touchy huffy pups but they all got better with age, an most disliked strangers, strange un mate, an aye it sounds as tho she got coursin dog in her lol

[wuyang 513]

Funny that, I do sometimes catch the tiny glance of saluki in her.

[reddawn 2,173]

if it is down to saluki or coursin blood then she will get better with age, unless she just dont like ye lol most dogs i had way coursin blood were huffy an highly strung but ended up steady an dependable by there 2nd year

[reddawn 2,173]

if it is down to saluki or coursin blood then she will get better with age, unless she just dont like ye lol most dogs i had way coursin blood were huffy an highly strung but ended up steady an dependable by there 2nd year

[Flipper_Al 1,012]

sensitive touchy nature.. maybe its the collie in her...

[3 Turns 326]

ALRIGHT PAL.

WHATS SHE LIKE WHEN SHES OUT 1.2.1 WITH YOU.NO OTHER DOGS ABOUT.

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

I honestly believe some dogs just don't take to some people, or maybe it's the other way.

 

I had a dog once who I had from 6 weeks old. But at 12 months he would sooner go off with someone else than come to me. We just never got on. No affection there at all.

 

My bitch now I brought in as an adult at about 3/4 and she is my best friend. Doesn't leave my side. Nuzzles me and try's to cuddle up to me. Looks at me with affection.

 

Both dogs had saluki in. And this bitch has got a serious stubborn steak. If she doesn't want to do something she won't! Lol.

 

Gaz

[wuyang 513]

Cheers all.

 

3 turns. She's at her worse when she's out with me 1 to 1, not too bad at all when out with the other dogs.

 

Gareth, it definitely has that same sort of stubborn streak, if she doesn't want too, she ain't going to.

 

 

[Tiny 7 1,694]

Iam a beleaver in that some dogs you really take too and others you dont just never have that bit with. Its like anything some personalitys mix and others dont. If the good out weights the bad stick with her

[littlefish 586]

How many dogs do you have? Might it be a case that, in reality, she has bonded with the other dog/dogs rather than with you? And pup feels under pressure? Maybe some one-on-one time with her might help - short sessions of chasing a tennis ball, playing tug, feeding her from your hand etc, having a bit of fun, no pressure might bring her out of her shell? Is it a case that because the old dog was good at her job, you have become comfortable with that and maybe expect too much from the pup?

[bird 9,945]

hi find it very hard to deal with sensitive dogs, i suppose i dont respect them really, with cringing and fawing nature, it just grinds me . dont get wrong you dont want a dog in your face, but neither one shiting it self if you bollox it . Colliexs can have this kind of temp, thats why ive gone for a gsd x grey , they are supposed to be harder type temp than colliexs, time will tell .! i knew a lad who had colliex grey x to lurcher bred dog, it was good catch dog very good in the lamp and not bad in the day had lot of game with it.But it was very sensitive type dog, and in the end he give it to sombody else, he couldnt put up with its temp no more, and that was a good hunting dog that had caught lot of game large+small . So temp is very important really you got to like+respect the dog i think