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How a Weighted Vest Helped Calm My Coonhound

4/14/2021

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By Courtney Heart

A weighted vest has been the most important tool to turn my coonhound’s behavior around and change my life and his for the better. This is the story of Rusty.

I adopted Rusty when he was 6 weeks old. Now 6 years old, he's 3/4 Treeing Walker and 1/4 Bluetick. We have a very calm, quiet home. I’ve raised puppies before but never a hound; and Rusty was a handful. In addition to being a very stubborn puppy, he has always been possessive of his food and toys. Rusty has a very big personality and has always wanted to be in charge of the pack, which includes me, my 9 year old Labrador Retriever Leroy, and my roommate. 
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Rusty was neutered at about 6 months old. I had hoped that would calm him down and make him less bossy and controlling, but it made no difference. At 9 months old, Rusty began showing signs of aggression (growling, snapping) and being overly territorial over practically everything. His resource guarding became excessive, and his anxiety was pretty high sometimes, too.

Rusty just takes his job of being a hound very seriously and is always on patrol. He is very sensitive and intelligent; when you speak to him calmly and gently; he seemingly understands your words and sentences. He’s extremely loyal and a velcro dog. Rusty loves to help, no matter what you’re doing, and will sit by you and protect you as you do your tasks. He’s goofy and submissive most of the time -- all the typical sweet coonhound qualities. It’s just this ONE flaw that he has: too much energy and anxiety, which turns into aggression at times.
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Rusty is guarding the pickup truck owned by Courtney's roommate, while the truck is being worked on.
There were times I doubted I could handle this difficult dog any longer. I walk him as much as I have time and energy for, but I work full-time. So my dogs get my left-over energy, which sometimes isn’t much. My roommate enjoys driving Rusty to the dam near us to walk across it. In all, Rusty gets walked about 5 nights a week for 45 minutes each time.

We live on an acre of fenced yard, so Rusty has plenty of space to sprint and soar around the property and get some of his energy out. I couldn’t live on a smaller property with him; he would go insane, and I know his aggression and anxiety would be much much worse. The size of my yard and the space we have for him to run around really helps. 
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Rusty is relaxing on the patio.
Other than regular exercise, playing, and other typical activities and interactions that wear a dog out, the one thing that has helped most with Rusty's aggression and anxiety is a weighted vest on his nightly walks. I researched this idea for several weeks and even invested in a $110 weighted vest. I ended up returning it, because spending that much money wasn’t necessary for such a simple training tool.

In place of the vest, I looked for a backpack that would be a snug-fit to his body and sit comfortably on him. I found an Arcadia Trail Dog Backpack for only $30 from PetSmart. The improvised vest was our last resort, so once we got it I was super excited to try it.

First he walked for a night with the empty backpack; then we added about 5% of his body weight and later upped it to 7%. You can go up to 10%, but this was enough for Rusty to be worn out but not strained. For weight, I used uncooked lentils in a ziplock bag, one on each side of the backpack. Dry beans or rice would work as well. I put the backpack on him inside the house before getting into the car or leaving the property for a walk. Rusty is kind of a maniac in the car, but the vest helps keep him calmer and in place compared to when he is not wearing it. He loves his backpack now and gets excited when he gets to wear it.

The weighted pack has calmed some of the tendencies in Rusty's DNA that he can’t always control. With Rusty, working on our verbal communication with meaningful eye contact helps a lot, but he still has days where he’s a handful. I try to just accept him for who he is and keep working on his more obnoxious behaviors while enjoying his loving and sensitive coonhound qualities. He’s a nightmare on the leash when cars pass us; that’s our biggest issue right now, but he’s getting better. He’s just so protective and serious about his job that he can’t resist.
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Rusty has many adorable qualities.
If you have a hound, there are some tendencies you might need to accept just like with any dog breed. Give your hound as much exercise as possible and use consistent firm training and commands. Coonhounds can have strong, stubborn personalities; and they might think they know more than you sometimes, Having multiple people in your home who can walk your hound or take them places to get that energy out will help a lot.
​

If you decide to try a weighted vest, keep it on them in the car and for any and all outings. Have patience ... it took Rusty until he was 6 to chill out and accept that he is a pet hound and not a hunter. I hope using a weighted vest to exercise high-energy, anxious dogs helps other hound families!
​
The opinions expressed in this guest blog are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily endorsed by Coonhound and Foxhound Companions.
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The Dog They Weren't Gonna Love

11/7/2020

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By Leslie Lenz

My Goldendoodle, Tucker, had just turned 10 when I started thinking about training my next  service dog. I had promised myself that I was going to get a rescue this time because I was retired and would have more time to deal with “issues” that could come up with a rescue dog. I was also nearing 60 and a puppy’s worth of energy was out of the question! About this time my friend, Holly, a life-long dog lover, was trying to fill a hole in her dog pack left by Rosie, a beautiful Treeing Walker Coonhound. I got a call from Anna Nirva, looking for a reference for Holly to adopt. After letting Anna know that any dog going into Holly’s pack would have a  better life than I do, we got to talking about my search for my next dog. Anna spent some time telling me about all the great traits coonhounds have and I told her that when she found the right dog for me she should let me know. I should have given Anna a lot more credit for not  letting a “hot one” go! 
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Meanwhile, I was having a hard time at home convincing, The Ladies, my three caretakers (I’m pretty seriously physically disabled, hence the service dog), that it was “time”. They  remembered vividly raising the last puppy, who was a holy terror 'til he was almost three, and  were having trouble embracing the idea of a new dog. I heard several choruses of “I won’t love a new dog” and “he’s not ready to abdicate”. They put a lot of effort into being loyal to Tucker.
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Ella's post on Facebook.
PictureElla on Anna's porch.
Fast forward a few weeks to the beginning of October, my  search of the local rescues wasn’t offering anything I felt was  right for our house. The phone rang one night, it was Anna calling to say she was fostering a young coonhound mix that  she was hoping could meet my needs. She sent me a picture  of “Ellery” that night. Her bright little face, definitely evident ribs and Anna’s assurance that she got along with cats, (yes, we have three of those, too!), just about clinched the deal. Now to be introduced. 

I don’t know as much about Ellery as I’d like to, but I do know she spent a lot of time in kennels and shelters after being found on the side of a highway in North Carolina. She spent about a week in the county shelter before she was pulled out and put into a kennel for two weeks. Then she started her trip to Wisconsin, which included overnight stays at shelters and vets along the way. She had her first vaccinations, flea baths, and was spayed en route. There were strangers poking, prodding and crating her along with very long hours of driving. Finally, she made it to Anna’s house near Tomah, Wisconsin, approximately six weeks later.

Once I heard her story, I wanted to meet her ASAP to determine if she was done with the stop gap”ness” of her life or if I was going to help find her a permanent home. 

I had spoken to Anna about setting up a meeting the following weekend but she was going  camping for the weekend and Ellery was going to Chasing Daylight Animal Shelter for the weekend. Being in a wheelchair has its challenges; transportation is one of them. Tomah, WI, is a two and a half hour drive from my house in Milwaukee. Coordinating me, my wheelchair, someone to drive, Tucker, and Anna with Ellery was darn near impossible. Luckily, I have a few very close friends who are willing to “go the distance” (pun intended) for me, so a drive into the  country during fall colors sounded like fun to them.

I called Chasing Daylight to find out their Sunday hours, and was told to call them when I got there and the Director would come and open the place up if it was closed. Now that’s dedicated! They also made introducing two completely unknown dogs to each other sound like a piece of cake! And they would do it!  That whole Sunday was just about perfect. The weather was gloriously sunny and warm, the drive was easy, and my friend’s husband was also available to come along.

We arrived shortly before closing time, so my friend and I went in to meet Ellery while her husband waited in the van with Tucker. Dogs don’t always like me because of the wheelchair and some are really put off by the smell of prosthetics, so I was a little nervous. Ellery was released in the room and immediately started sniffing the huge pile of dog food bags. A short time later she noticed us and came over. She sniffed my friend first, then started in on my wheelchair, then me. She walked her front legs right up my legs and proceeded to kiss me everywhere she could reach. She was completely intent on sniffing every inch of me. She seemed to be relaxed and frankly, a lot happier than I expected.

Next hurdle, the face to face dog meet. One of the workers went out to the van to get Tucker for a walk around the grounds. About halfway along the path, another person came out with Ellery to join them and off they went.

Next thing I knew I was signing a check for far less than I thought it would be and I now owned two dogs! On our way home my friend asked why I was grinning. Had I forgotten I still had to convince the caretakers to accept Ellery? I told her that the sheer fact that I again shared my life with two dogs was enough to make me smile. 

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Leslie and Ella, going home!
Back on the home front, I decided to change Ellery’s name to involve the caretakers in an important decision and help them bond with her. Ellery just seemed a little too formal and one syllable too long. I had read somewhere that dog names should be as short as possible to help them differentiate their name from others.  We wanted something as close to Ellery as possible, because we didn’t know how long it had been her name and she had been through so many changes in recent weeks. We decided on Ella. We started by calling Ella .....ry for the first week, then Ellahhh.....ry the next week and, finally, Ella. She seemed perfectly fine with the change.

Actually she seemed perfectly fine with everything after Tucker told her in no uncertain terms, shortly after walking in the door the first time, that every tennis ball in the house was HIS. From that point on she seemed comfortable.

We gave her a few weeks to relax and get to know us, our schedule, the people who take care of me, my family, their dogs, the cats, the neighborhood, the neighborhood dogs and the weather, before we started her formal training.

I should have filmed her reaction to the first snow! It was priceless! I think I can safely say she still hates snow and anything else that gets her feet wet (read: rain). She has developed an 18 hour bladder when it’s rainy; her idea, not mine!

This last year has been slightly different for us because, somehow, I managed to literally break my neck. I’ve been sleeping in a recliner since and Ella sleeps either under the footrest or behind the backrest. She was never trained for this.

When we’re out and about together she automatically puts herself between me and other people we don’t know. She was never trained to do this.

She meets people at our door with hackles raised, a solid WOOF!, sniffing out their intent. She was never trained to do this.

Somehow, Ella has made  herself into my guard dog.​

She sits and waits patiently while I fumble with putting the collar over her head because I don’t have the finger dexterity to operate a clip, then she waits again while I take it off!
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Leslie, Tucker and Ella taking a walk.
I've always trained my own service dogs from puppyhood on. I always thought they bonded with me and coped with my physical differences because they never knew any other way. Ella was about a year old when she came to me. She most certainly had  plenty of experience with people without disabilities, yet she accepts that I have to do things differently. Turns out they do it naturally as a part of loving you. ​

Almost exactly four years later Ella is a great dog. Absolutely the most laid back, quiet, loyal, protective, happy girl. I think she really likes her life. She was a very boney 33 lbs when she moved in. Now she is a muscular 69 lbs. She gets about an hour to hour and a half long walk most days, but if the weather doesn’t cooperate, she’s happy sharing the couch with two cats.
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Ella and friend snoozing.
It took quite a while train her to get the lady that lives upstairs, but we didn’t realize that she was petrified of the cat that lives there because that one hissed at her at the top of the stairs. So we spent some time “retraining“ both of them with special treats together. She’s very protective of me and if her favorite cat manages to escape outside all I have to say is, “go find Gizee” and she does!  

She’s welcomed with treats at the pharmacy and gets a “pet stop” at up to 6 departments in our local big box store. The local Burger King and McDonalds welcome her by name. My caretakers and my family fight over who gets her when I go on vacations. 

This morning, after accidentally pinching Ella’s toes, I heard my caretaker say, “Oh, Ella, I’m  so sorry. You know how much I love you. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Last night I heard another  caretaker say, “Ella, to think, you were the dog I wasn’t gonna love! What was I thinking?”.  When you have a dog, love just multiplies.
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An evocative picture of Ella from her vet clinic in North Carolina.
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The Truth About Coonhounds ...

3/14/2016

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“Coonhounds and Foxhounds Are Only Good for One Thing… HUNTING!”  ​

NOT!
The Secret’s Out:  They Make Great Pets!

There’s  a myth still circulating about coonhounds and foxhounds:  They are only good for one thing — hunting.  But anyone who’s ever shared home and hearth with one quickly learns that they make great pets too.​
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Austin in his t-shirt wagging his tail. His tail never stopped.
Black and Tan, Bluetick, English, Plott, Redbone, or Treeing Walker coonhounds, and all foxhounds, are pretty darn resilient, and incredibly forgiving toward humans.  No other breed that I know of would tolerate the cramped quarters of a dog “box” in the back of a pickup truck, cooking in the heat during a Texas summer or freezing in the cold during a Minnesota winter, moving along at highway speeds, without emerging with some physical or psychological damage.  The big hounds usually come through that perfectly happy, which I attribute to their inherently benevolent temperaments.


Bred to work as full partners, out of sight of their human hunting buddies, they are also about the most loyal, affectionate dogs around, closely attuned to the wishes of their handlers and eager to please.

I’ve been rescuing hounds, mostly Treeing Walkers, for over 30 years. Almost all of mine have been exceptional companions. Not only are they affectionate by nature, they are rarely quarrelsome with other dogs. Coonhounds are bred to team up, hunting with dogs they’ve never met before, so they’re good at making friends with strangers.
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Foxhounds resting together after a hunt.
They’re generally pretty easy to house train, too, even if some rescue hounds need to be taught all sorts of indoor manners before they are adopted out because they haven’t shared quarters with humans before.

Coonhounds and foxhounds are really beautiful dogs, too. They come in a wide variety of rich coat colors and patterns -- red, “blue” (mottled black and white), black, brindled (striped), tri-colored like a beagle -- with such endearing features as tan “almonds” over the eyes, black “pencil lines” on the toes, and perfect spots for kissing on the top of the head, to say nothing of those long silky ears. Hounds have a short, dense coat which is easy to keep clean. Ninety-eight percent of the Walkers I’ve rescued over the years lived long, healthy lives, with none of the health issues (hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, hypothyroidism, cancer, etc.) that seem to plague so many of the more popular breeds.

One of our Walkers, a male named “T.J.,” lived to the ripe old age of 17, with clear eyes, no skin or ear problems, and cancer-free. Without a doubt, he was the finest example of a well-bred coonhound I’ve ever known.  Breed longevity is a bonus for any dog lover, but longevity
and good health is the ultimate “package” deal.   Of course, T.J. was exceptionally long-lived, but 12-14 years is not unusual for a coonhound or foxhound that hasn’t met an unnatural death in a “shelter” or crossing a road, intent after game.

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T.J.
And there’s a new concern added to the burdens that coonhounds in shelters have faced. Over the last few years, the American Kennel Club, the largest registry of purebred dogs in this country, has begun to recognize most of the coonhound breeds. (They’ve recognized two breeds of foxhounds and American Black and Tan Coonhounds for much longer.) That may well increase the price breeders, both good and bad, will charge for purebred puppies. In the past, only the United Kennel Club, the National Coon Hound Association, and the Continental Kennel Club, much smaller registries, recognized these coonhound breeds, and these are largely hunting registries. Puppies weren’t worth much until they were trained to hunt and proved their skills.  AKC registration may give breeders an incentive to produce pups without regard for the working characteristics that have kept coonhounds and foxhounds so robust until now.  I hope that AKC recognition for conformation doesn’t prove disastrous for these hounds, as it was for German Shepherd Dogs and a host of other breeds which became popular after gaining recognition from the most recognized registry in the world.

So the next time you visit a shelter, rescue, or animal control facility and see one of those “only good for one thing” hounds, please consider adopting it and giving it a chance to be your beloved pet. Chances are it will be a great companion. Perhaps some hunter had too many dogs to feed, the hound is gun-shy, or your candidate came into the shelter as a stray after it went too far afield, lost its tracking collar, and couldn’t find its way home.  Kill shelters in almost every southern state are brimming with unwanted coonhounds and foxhounds, which are usually near the top of the euthanasia list at public shelters, outranked only by pit bulls and owner surrenders. The myth about coonhounds and foxhounds is so widespread that I believe that only one in five shelters in the South even attempts to find rescue for them. When shelters do reach out, the few rescues willing to take hounds are often full to capacity. I know. I’ve turned down too many needy hounds myself, although I always try to help if I possibly can.
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Bonney Williams
Director, Etosha Rescue and Adoption Center


The opinions expressed in this guest blog are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by Coonhound and Foxhound Companions.
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Hounds in The House

3/9/2015

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Copyright © Covertside Magazine

Retired foxhounds can make it as house hounds with the right training

By Polly Wilson
I have a habit of bringing home strays. Therefore, it should not have come as a surprise that I brought Benny home. Benny was clearly becoming fond of hanging about with the second field rather than hunting, and, although we all loved to have him with us, it was time for Benny to retire. He was one of the original pack members from when the Few Hounds Hunt became the Green Mountain Hounds. Aptly named, there had been only three couple regularly hunted by Elaine Ittleman, MFH and huntsman, at the inception of Few Hounds Hunt. Three years before his retirement, Benny was nose to the ground and in the game. As the last few seasons progressed, he slowed down. By the time Benny was actually retired, he was beyond ready. I called his name and he hopped into the truck. I told friends that he came with his golf shoes and a condo in Florida.
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Aiken hounds relaxing by the pool at the home of Master Linda McLean.
Benny is an example of a retired foxhound who was ready to move from the kennel to the hearth and he did so with ease. Since then, I have taken three other hounds, all with equally big personalities and each with a different take on retirement.

Last year, a hunt member who was considering retiring a hound from her hunt had asked Terry Hook, MFH, what he knew about re-homing a hound. Terry then referred her to me. It has occurred to me that fellow hunt members might (in secret) be calling me “the crazy hound lady.” After a couple of emails about what to expect from a hound in the house, she thanked me and sent a picture of her new family member. I began to wonder how often people take retired hounds home. Is it common practice with hunts in general? How successful is the practice of letting members take on hounds? So, I put out the question to followers of Foxhunters on Facebook and to the huntsmen I knew, and this is what I found.

WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT
Kate Selby, huntsman for Green Mountain Hounds, says that she believes that it becomes clear when to retire a hound. “An older hound who is slowing down is one thing, but when they can’t physically keep up they can become a danger to themselves. Exhaustion, increasing lameness issues, and inability to recover quickly from a day out are all clear signs that hunting days are coming to an end.”

Ittleman has two retirees from her days as huntsman.   She would rather see a hound in work for as long as it enjoys the hunt.  When it is time to retire a hound, however, she prefers to see hounds go to a hunt member who understands what kennel life has been like and will understand the personality of a foxhound. Lorraine Groneau of Limestone Creek Hunt has retired out many hounds. “Some just do better to stay at the kennels and some have great second careers as house hounds,” Groneau says.  When Limestone Creek hounds are adopted, a formal agreement is signed by the huntsman, MFH and the new owner. Terms are clear that the new owner is responsible for the hound and will incur all expenses henceforth. For hounds who prefer the consistent life of a kennel, Lori lets them stay on and employs them to teach the puppies their manners. Some hunts have designated retirement kennels. The Iroquois Hunt has The Hound Welfare Fund, a non-profit run separately from the hunt, which allows their venerable retirees to continue their lives in the kennels. The Hound Welfare Fund works hard to raise money to support the retired hounds.
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Retired hound Kisser introduces pony club kids to foxhunting.
Deb Riley of Middlebrook Hounds is, whether by choice or by proxy, the staff for the retirement pack. Her farm, Finalea Farm, is aptly named for the hounds who get the pleasure of retiring there. She also confesses to keeping a couple of retired staff horses, and a few cats, too. 

Riley says, “First, you must know that foxhounds are the most grateful of all the dogs I have ever had the honor of taking care of ... or loving. They go day-to-day having the love and affection of one person — the huntsman. They return his love by hunting and working hard to find chase for him and the field of followers. They look at him with love and affection and then tiredly return to the kennel awaiting his next arrival. In the end, they transfer that love and affection — if only for a brief time — to the people that show them love until they leave us to go hunting with the ultimate huntsman above.”

THE HOUND IN THE SINK
Retiring a hound from its pack can be stressful. It’s a bit like what Eliza Doolittle went through in “My Fair Lady.” Until you witness it, you have no idea how refined a life house pets have in comparison to kenneled pack life. The good news is that, generally speaking, foxhounds are smart. They learn fast and they want to please. The bad news is that foxhounds like to run. They have a curiosity that makes great hunters, but can cause havoc when they decide to check out the new neighborhood. Hounds have a hard time figuring out what is okay and what is forbidden when it comes to countertops, tables, and other high places. Finding a hound in the sink is always a surprise. If you have other dogs, they may be stunned at how fast a hound can devour its own food and then grab its companions’ dinners as well. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention that house-training an older hound is tricky and should be the number one priority to maintain peace in the house. Once again, the good news is that they do learn fast with firm instruction.

It takes a bit of time and patience to retrain a hound. One key element to making the transition easier for everyone is making — and keeping — boundaries. If you love your white couch, then make that room off-limits. If you can’t get out for a walk for exercise, then fence in an area for your hound to move about. Expect holes.  Digging is what dogs do; hounds do it really well. I find a large dog crate creates harmony for all the occupants of my house, including the hound himself. It is a cozy place to den up.

It might be six months before you see the changes, but your hound will adapt. Or, as my friend and fellow hunter from Old North Bridge Hounds, Suzanne Adams, says, “I’ll never have another kind of dog but foxhounds. They are so devoted.”

As this season end approaches, you may notice a hound in your pack who has slowed down, and prefers to stay by the huntsman’s stirrup. Maybe the hound missed a few meets. This will be the hound that needs a retirement home. Step up and ask the huntsman or staff if there is a need for adoption. You will not be disappointed and neither will the hound.

Polly Wilson hunts with Green Mountain Hounds, where members call her “The Hound Lady.”
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Three's Company

6/24/2014

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“I thank God daily for Luke, because he is Michael's best friend, and they have a bond that no one can describe.” The words are Nicole’s about her husband Michael. And Luke is Michael’s 4-year-old Bluetick Coonhound service dog.

Nicole’s husband, Michael, suffers from Autism Spectrum Disorder. (ASD is a neurological disorder resulting in developmental disability that affects communication, social understanding, behavior, activities and interests). After severely injuring his back while working at his uncle’s shop, Michael was left barely able to function. Even worse were his feelings of futility, depression and despair.

And then …coincidence or providence?

Living next door to the couple was a breeder with a puppy Michael desperately wanted. But when he approached the breeder, he was told that the puppy wasn’t for sale, and a dejected Michael returned home empty handed. The following day, the breeder called; he’d changed his mind. Never had Nicole seen her husband as happy as the day that small Bluetick Coonhound entered his life. And the loving bond between Michael and Luke was instantly and immutably forged.

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Michael and puppy Luke
If not for Luke …

One of Michael’s many ongoing health problems includes seizures. Seizures, which Luke instinctively and instantly picked up on. After some further instruction from Nicole, the pup learned to recognize when they were coming on and what to do. He would remain with Michael the entire time, never once leaving his side, until the seizure was over.

The same holds true whenever Michael becomes depressed or is bedridden because of his back. Luke stays close to him, comforting and calming him with his presence, and providing the stricken Michael with the solace and reassurance he needs. And yet, this very special relationship doesn’t only work one way. Whenever Luke is the one in need of calming, Michael is there for HIM. According to Nicole, “They know just what the other thinks and wants.”
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Luke brings joy into the family
Once, during a walk through the woods near their house, Michael fell. Luke reacted immediately. He slid beneath Michael, braced himself firmly, and was able to hold Michael's weight while he managed to get back up. Now, all anyone has to say is, "Luke, help me up," and Luke will help that person up. With Michael, however, Luke knows even before he’s asked.
 
The pair is inseparable, and with Nicole’s assistance, the three of them have become regular visitors at a nearby nursing home, where they spend time with the seniors on the rehabilitation floor. Their mission: “to cheer them up and make their day,” says Nicole. Michael loves showing off Luke, Luke loves the attention, and the seniors love Luke. It is a single, joyous and rewarding love fest all round.
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Nicole and Luke
“Michael tells me that he loves Luke more than me,” Nicole admits, “that they have a tighter bond. Does this bother me? Does it make me mad? The answer is ‘no.’ And I will continue to say, ‘no.’ Why? Because I am walking with Michael, step by step, and side by side, just in a different way. I definitely love my Michael, and wouldn't change my baby for anything in this world.”

Article written by Nomi Berger. Nomi is the bestselling author of seven novels and one work of non-fiction. Nomi devotes all of her time volunteering her writing skills to animal rescue organizations both in Canada and the USA.
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EASY’S URBAN ADVENTURE or, You can take the dog out of the country, but….

1/13/2013

11 Comments

 
by Gates Murchie
This past October, we visited our son, Colin, and his family (Molly and Miles) in the Washington, D.C. area. Our grandson’s first birthday provided the opportunity, and off we went. Though we usually impose on them in their house, this trip was different. Molly’s parents drove up from Texas for the party and had dibs on the spare bedroom. Up until now, our Black and Tan, Easy, stayed with friends when we traveled. This time, we grabbed the chance to expand Easy’s horizons to include hotel life in the “big city.” 
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Front to back: Miles, Candy, Franki, Easy
Step 1: find a “pet-friendly” hotel. Google provided a list of options and I began the search. As it turns out, it isn’t as easy as I thought. Although a number of hotel chains say they are “pet friendly”, it doesn’t necessarily mean “pet welcoming.” Many limit the pet size to 50 pounds or less (that would not be Easy!). Others impose significant fees for bringing your loved one on a per-stay or per day basis. It seemed we were destined to be 20+ miles away from the family and residing in a “third tier” establishment at “first tier” rates. That is until my son mentioned the Kimpton Hotels. 

I looked and we were in the 3-4 star hotel category. Gloom filled the air. Then I found the Kimpton Helix hotel. A few short blocks from Dupont Circle (pix can be downloaded here) and 200 yards from Logan Circle, the 3-star hotel was in the middle of shops, attractions and dining and a mere 5 miles from my son’s house. The gloom thickened as I imagined the cost. I called anyway and the cheerful reservation person quickly ascertained my eligibility for discounts, offering a rate competitive with the pet-loaded rates at the other hotels. OK, now what can go wrong? Oh, yeah, the dog. I asked about bringing Easy. She said, “How big is he?” Expecting a fee adder, I sighed and said, “About 75-80 pounds.” Her response, “Oh, he’ll need a big bed. Does he want his own bowls?” What? He’s welcome! You’ll provide a bed and bowls? What’s his favorite treat? You’ve never taken reservations for a coonhound before and you’re excited! Free wine every evening? Okay, we’ll be there.

So now, the trip begins in earnest. Easy is in the back of the Subaroooooo and we are off. Only, he thinks we are going to nearby Otsiningo Park to tree squirrels and begins baying as we leave the driveway. Thirty miles later, he realizes his error and we now know why they have hound boxes in THE BACK of pickup trucks. The next 3 hours go by uneventfully and we pause at a Pennsylvania rest stop for a picnic lunch. Not just A rest stop, but THE BEST rest stop EVER. Why, you ask? Because the rest stop attendants have been feeding the squirrels around the trees in the dog walking area!!!! Hooray!!!!! Anyway, this recreational interlude gets even better when a second hound shows up to join the chorus. Back in the car and time for a nap.
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Arrival - and Easy meets with his old friend, Frankie the dog

Frankie and Easy

Frankie is my son’s rescue dog and he is a North American LBD (Little Brown Dog). They proceed to light up the neighborhood with barking and bawling as they chase squirrels in the yard and on a walk. City squirrels are a little too sassy for Easy and he quickly teaches them that running 3 feet up a tree is not far enough to avoid a near-death experience at the mouth of a coonhound. This lesson would be repeated numerous times during our visit, in the yards parks, streets, and outdoor cafes of the D.C. area.

Now, it is late and time for the hotel…we arrive, 15 hours into our day and looking a bit bedraggled. We are met with an on-going full-blown party and a moment of wondering, “What happens next?” A hearty greeting and a pat for Easy and now, we face navigating the crowd and ….. an elevator.  Luckily, for the uninitiated, a B&T coonhound looks enough like a Rottweiler that navigating the crowd quickly resolves itself. This would also prove true when walking the city streets. People respect your personal space when part of it is occupied by a serious dog. Back to the elevator.

Easy does not like new surfaces or wiggly floors. The vet’s moving table and scale are not popular places. Anyway, the elevator opens and two people get in, not realizing we are getting on, too. They look nervous and Easy freezes. Undeterred, I tug and Candy scoops and he is in. This was his one and only problem with the elevator. All further trips went without a hitch, although I can only imagine what went through his mind. “OK. There was this party and these people and we got into the little room and then the door closed and then it opened and they were gone and then we went to bed and got into the little room and the door closed and it opened and different people were there.” (I imagine Easy thinks in run-on sentences.)

A quick call and Easy’s very comfy bed and bowls show up at the (very nice) room and our first night begins. No issues except that he stares at the dog in the floor to ceiling mirrors and tries to look behind them. 

The next morning at 7, it is time for the a.m. walk. We travel up to Logan Circle and quickly accomplish the mission… and discover that the circle and its trees are loaded with squirrels in desperate need of a fitness program. The new regime is announced with great gusto and much fanfare. Unfortunately, the ceremonies serve to wake those unfortunates who spend the night sleeping at the circle. There is much grumbling and rustling of plastic. I feel bad about this and resolve to avoid repeating it the next day, if possible. Their lives are difficult enough (pic can be downloaded here).

Breakfast outdoors at Caribou Coffee is another new experience for Mr. E. Coonhound. Still exhibiting exemplary behavior, he sits under the table and examines the passing parade with great interest. Different smells from different cultures, different vehicles and different foods all provide the same amusement as a morning paper … Until he discovers pigeons. They act like squirrels, make squirrel noises, flutter about and are annoying. A surprise bawl sets things aright and gives the other patrons something to remember. 
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Easy holding still for his close-up
The rest of the visit is equally wonderful, the birthday party a great success and the return trip satisfying. Easy took many more elevator rides, met many more people and showed us that he is a traveler of great sophistication. And that you can’t take the country out of the dog.
Picture"Easy's dreams after his visit to the nation's capital swells his head."

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Bo invited me!
PictureThat's one funny looking raccoon!

11 Comments

Hound Dog Sniffs Out New Home (at the dog treat bakery!)

7/12/2012

7 Comments

 
PictureHow could anyone abandon him?
By Andrew Suggs

My wife was home and I was working at the family’s organic dog treat shop, Terra Dog Bakery, in Norcross, GA, when a local resident brought a pup to our store. She told me that the gawky dog had been abandoned and needed a home. He was very skinny and also very young but he was still big for a pup. He had a pleading hound face, lanky legs, and big ol' floppy ears.

How could anyone abandon him? He looked like a purebred bluetick coonhound puppy.

The crazy part of it is that I've always wanted a bluetick, and thought it would be many years before I could ever get one, because we already have two dogs and a young child. But here he was, staring right at me, needing a home and someone to love him. He was a sweet boy, playful and clumsy like a baby. I told the girl that I would take him without really thinking on it for long. How could I let him go? We were not looking for a dog or prepared for another, but what would happen to him if I said “no”?

I have rescued a pup through an “adoption agency,” but never been in a situation like this, where the dog had been abandoned and arrived by serendipity.

So, I left my store that day with the new pup, my mind heavy with a million thoughts, trying to get a grip on what was going on. I stopped on the way home to get him some food and a new collar and leash. I held him the whole time. He was friendly with the people in the store who greeted him. We traveled home. I made sure my wife was seated before I broke the news.

Though it was a total surprise, she embraced him and began thinking of names. My son was excited and smiled as soon as he saw him. "If we are keeping this dog, I am naming him!" my wife said.
We settled on Jamie, after a character in a book she was reading. He looked like a Jamie.


PictureSleephead Jamie
With the uncertainty of his past, we cautiously watched over him for a day until we could get him to the vet. Our vet revealed that he was underfed, had worms, and had yeast infections in his ears. The inside of the poor boy’s ears were covered in a thick black crud. We think he was only about 6 weeks old.

We were upset that he had a rough start, but wanted to give him a shot at the life he deserves. Now, about a month later, Jamie is up to a healthy weight, and putting on more pounds (and spots!) each week. He is doing great eating a home cooked diet. He is such a great dog, very loyal already, playful, energetic, and curious, as any good hound is. Even though he is young (10 weeks), he is already about 90% potty trained and stands by the door when he needs to go out.


PictureJamie selling dog collars
He is my total buddy. He comes to work with me every day and stays with me even while I work a booth at our local farmers market. He is great with kids, other dogs, and people. He is very social and has to say hello to anyone (or dog) he sees. He's a people magnet and draws attention everywhere.

He is teething and he still finds puppy mischief, but all things considered he is the best pup I've ever had. He is very smart, and has already mastered getting over and around baby gates and other obstacles. We have been working on obedience, and he is responding well to reward-based training (pretty great since I bake all his treats!).

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He has that coonhound drive already and is pretty fearless for such a young pup. I took him to the beach with me last week and he had no problems trudging through the ocean waves and climbing over large rocks to catch a scent.

This guy is just a once in a lifetime dog, who came to me in such a crazy way. I feel that Jamie will be a great ambassador for the coonhound breed in our little town and anywhere we go. We intend to come up with a line of treats especially for coonhounds.

Even though our life together has just begun, I love the breed and am so excited to have one in my life!

7 Comments

Easy is a Better Person Than I

6/18/2012

9 Comments

 
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By Gates Murchie

Easy is a Black and Tan coonhound. Once possessed of UKC and AKC papers (lost during an unpleasant period of his life), he is a handsome fellow. In his 7-8 years, Easy passed through several kind and considerate families, a neglectful/abusive owner, a shelter, and a foster home before coming to us. He hunted, slept on sofas and was loved. He also endured starvation, freezing cold, a terrifying wound, a long rehabilitation and the constant threat of death. Yet he came out the other side with several thousand pounds of calm, considerate, canine wisdom in a seventy-eight pound body; Easy is a better person than I. 


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Kind to all non-tree-climbing mammals, and our cats, Easy harbors no pre-conceived notions about others and judges only on behavior, not rumor, stereotype or prejudice. He cares not about feline nature, social station, physical limitation, past transgression, religious belief or political af filiation. A thinker of deep thoughts, he does not act precipitously, even in the face of social pressure, intimidation or implied force. Easy is the independent captain of his own ship; loyal to his friends, open and accepting of strangers, kind to children, intolerant of bullying, immune to bribes, and fierce in the face of hostility. I want to grow up to be like him.


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     Others may “walk” their dogs, but close observation reveals that the dog on said walk is not having a very good time. The people stop, talk and socialize; the dogs aren’t allowed to. The kids run, shout and play; the dogs don’t. The dog on these walks seldom does what it was born to do (unless early cave men had purses).

I get approached by other men, men who are walking dogs on shoestring leashes, and they say, “Gee, I wish I had a real dog like yours.” That’s because we get our recreation and exercise on “hunts” in the local parks to locate and exercise the local squirrel population. Maintaining their tree-climbing skills is a vocation for Easy. Though his punishment for those failing to maintain those skills may seem harsh, it is all for the best. When asked by the local squirrel-feeding lady, “Do you think that is a good time?”, I can only reply, “Not particularly, but he does!”  Easy is passionate in the pursuit of this hobby, marshalling his energy and resources in rest only to expend them in a great rush of activity and song. Similar to flying a line-control aircraft with a full-size fighter aircraft on the end, he is joyful and focused from his nose to his rapidly circling “helicopter” tail. This endeavor can lead him into dangerous adventures and requires the intervention of friends with a more objective view. 


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     My constant companion, he provides the resigned acceptance only available from true friends when I come up short. I know that as a “hunting” pack member, I am slow, lazy and relatively stupid. My lack of focus and failure to consummate our hunts in the public parks frustrates him, but he never gives me a hard time about it. I know I’m merely projecting when I think I detect a sarcastic smirk. Were he human, I feel in my bones that Easy would pick me, despite my shortcomings, in any team selection process, just because he’s a nice guy and I’m his friend.

     Easy accepts the hand that life dealt him. He stands stoically to receive the bandages, padding and protection that are to be his lot in life, without complaint. He deals with the inconvenience of his cats and the limits of his home turf. He luxuriates in the attention of his humans. He trains others in the protocols and traditions of his species and stands ready to be a friend to all. In short, he is Andy Griffith in a really good dog suit… and I am either Barney Fife or Opie, depending on the day.

We may be stupid, stubborn, lazy, smelly, loud and difficult to train, but he adopted us anyway….


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9 Comments

How to Tell the Difference Between a Treeing Walker Coonhound and a Foxhound

4/12/2012

264 Comments

 
By Emily Plishner

It’s pretty hard to tell the difference between Treeing Walker coonhounds and foxhounds. Most of the differences are behavioral rather than visibly structural, and the behavioral differences are most evident in a hunting setting.

Both American foxhounds and coonhounds had the same ancestors--hounds brought from Europe to the Americas in colonial days. In Europe, desirable game did not climb trees to get away from hounds. Hounds were mostly used to chase deer and foxes. In the Americas, gray foxes, raccoons, opossums, black bears, bobcats, and mountain lions all climb trees when they want to get away from hounds, so American hunters selectively bred those hounds that looked for scent on trees and barked at treed game, holding it there for the hunter.

The offspring of this selective breeding became the coonhound breeds. The tri-colored coonhounds, the ones that look oversized beagles, were separated out as an individual breed, Treeing Walker Coonhounds, in the 1940’s. Approximately half of all purebred coonhounds in the United States are Treeing Walkers, with the other half divided between the remaining five or six breeds.  
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A magnificent saddle backed Treeing Walker Coonhound. Overall Winner/2012 Southeast Treeing Walker Days Bench Show [United Kennel Club]: GR CH ‘PR’ Red Eagle Coming 2 Your City, owned by Liza Hunziker of Pomona, Illinois.
Hounds that were used primarily to hunt red foxes, coyotes or deer did not need to check tree trunks for scent, so they remained foxhounds (in less formal circles, they are sometimes referred to as “running” as opposed to “treeing” hounds) even though some of them do tree game that will tree. To confuse matters further, there are some hunters that use purebred coonhounds to hunt game that will not tree, like coyotes. There are a lot more coonhounds than foxhounds in shelters, especially in places where there isn't a big coyote problem.
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A running Walker foxhound taking a break to get a good view during a coyote hunt. Owned by Jay Colisimo of Lockport, NY
Within the foxhound breeds, there are several different named strains, including the running Walker hounds. A running Walker looks just like a Treeing Walker, but it generally has a slightly leaner and racier build (imagine a little greyhound mixed in), making it fast on the ground.

The formal mounted foxhunts generally use a sturdier looking hound that is heavier than a typical coonhound with slightly shorter ears. Two such strains are the American and the English Foxhounds. Foxhounds trained to hunt in large packs, like those that hunt with the mounted hunts, are more deferential and are less likely to be terribly independent. 
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Photo courtesy of Beth Gyorgy. Please see two of our other blog posts on retired hunting foxhounds as pets: “Tally Ho!” 3/24/12, by Jerry Dunham, and “Tips on Adopting a Foxhound,” 2/7/13, by Beth Gyorgy. And for further information contact us at info@coonhoundcompanions.com. Hounds who have hunted make excellent family pets, adapting readily to their new pack (a great source of security for them). Hounds are almost always easy to housetrain and take readily to a crate.
The hunting dog registries generally recognize two breeds of foxhound (American and English) and six or seven breeds of coonhound (black and tan, bluetick, English, leopard, Plott, redbone, and treeing Walker). Some hunters breed "grade" hounds that are not registered, and may be crosses between the different coonhound and foxhound breeds, or even have a little bloodhound mixed in. This is particularly common among big game (black bears and mountain lions) hunters out west.

Within the individual breeds, there are a number of "strains" or "bloodlines" that you wouldn't be able to tell apart without seeing their pedigrees.

When it comes to coat color, very few treeing Walker coonhounds are almost entirely white, although there are some, particularly those in the Clover bloodline. In general, a dog that is almost entirely white, with just a little sprinkling of other colors, is most likely a foxhound. There was an old time French breed of hound called a porcelaine that was almost entirely white. However, dogs of many breeds with predominantly white coats may have a genetic tendency to deafness, so they are not necessarily the best breeding stock.
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A porcelaine. From petwiki. http://thepetwiki.com/images/Porcelaine.jpg
Coonhounds with a black saddle on their back are highly prized in show circles. Coonhounds with almost no white—mostly brown legs and black saddlebacks--are known as “high tans.” This color pattern is somewhat more common in coonhounds than foxhounds, but not all that common in either.

Coonhounds that have been bred to look up trees often throw their heads way back when they bay, and are very given to putting their front paws up on anything handy—a tree with game in it, a kitchen counter, some stranger they are greeting effusively. This is bred-in behavior, but can be modified.  A pet coonhound can and should be trained to stay off the kitchen counter and not jump on strangers.

I have a lot of experience with hounds of all kinds, and even I have trouble recognizing the difference between coonhounds and foxhounds without seeing their papers or watching them work.

At Coonhound Companions, we're working hard to find pet homes for the failed hunters. In the right home, where their loud voices are appreciated and their affectionate loyal natures are reciprocated, they are extremely good pets.
264 Comments

Social Networking Takes On a New Meaning with Coonhounds

8/13/2011

2 Comments

 
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CoonhoundCompanions.com is releasing a new poster, "Long Ears = Social Networking." The poster is available on our Posters & More page (above). The public should feel free to print out copies of the new and older posters and put them up wherever coonhounds may be awaiting adoption, or wherever else hounds' sterling qualities as pets could use some favorable publicity.

These days, when impromptu social gatherings are so easily fostered by electronic networking, a dog that plays well with others is especially desirable. Coonhounds and foxhounds fit the bill admirably. No breed is better at getting along with strangers, whether human, canine or other species.

Hounds do unusually well at dog parks and other places where various dog breeds gather together. Mine are incredibly popular with other dogs on the sidewalks of Brooklyn, NY. Their loud invitations to play may put off some other breeds, but don't provoke fights. Unlike some other breeds, they are rarely confrontational. In general, coonhounds and foxhounds are curious and playful, although they may prefer sniffing out the perimeters to playing fetch with retrievers. It’s in their breeding: hunting hounds are turned out to hunt with unfamiliar hounds, and must get along even in competition. Their personalities are bred to vary from mellow to gregarious. Disagreeable hounds don't get bred.

While coonhounds and foxhounds have a significant prey drive--they are bred to hunt, after all--that prey drive can be guided to focus on a single prey species or get diverted to another task, like tracking. Unlike herding dogs, hounds are not inclined to harass farm animals. On first encounter, most hounds express cautious curiosity about other species.
Coonhounds and foxhounds are readily trained to ignore livestock, deer and possum; hunt alongside and amicably together with horses, mules, and visiting dogs; and to accept other household pets. Think of how many foxhounds may be gathered into a single pack surrounded by horses.

Hunting hounds image
Because raccoon and fox hunting is done in rural settings, where the hounds may encounter cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens and who knows what else, they are taught to focus their attention on the sought after prey--fox, coyote, raccoon, bobcat, bear or mountain lion--depending on location and the desires of their hunter-handlers. Training will refocus the attention of most hounds away from undesirable game (that pair of lovebirds or hamsters in the cage).

However, new hound adopters should take special care while introducing them to the family cat. Many hounds will chase cats until taught not to. (So will most other breeds of dog.) Running, outdoor cats pose more of a challenge than indoor cats. Any cat owner thinking of adopting a hound should ask about their prospective adoptee's history with cats. But as the picture on the poster shows, many hounds learn to get along brilliantly with their family's cat. Even better, hound rescues check out the personalities of the hounds they foster, so those few hounds that are inveterate chicken-killers or cat hunters, won't end up at egg farms or in homes with beloved kitties.

And while hounds can be large dogs, they instinctively know how to moderate how energetically they play with smaller, more delicate dogs, pups, and humans, but also willingly play rowdily with their more vigorous acquaintances. Boxer or papillion, a hound will enjoy a canine playmate and a child (or forever young adult) to wrestle with.

Long-eared dogs are extremely affectionate with their humans, their guests, relatives, and children. Please check out "Long Ears = Social Networking" as well as our earlier posters, "Long Ears & You = Soulmates," "Long Ears = Lotsa Cute," "Long Ears = Lotsa Fun," and "Long Ears = Lotsa Talent."

By Emily Plishner
2 Comments
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