Tips on Adopting a Foxhound

2/7/2013

By Beth Gyorgy

I am the very proud owner of two foxhounds, Corporal and Walden, and I help rescue foxhounds from shelters around the South. I rode with a mounted foxhunt in Virginia for eight years. Six of the hunt’s litters were born at my place. I adopted one of the hunt’s retiring hounds, Corporal.

CORPORAL is a retired male foxhound who hunted for six years with a central Virginia foxhunt. In this photo he is 7 years old, weighing 90 lbs. The term for his coat coloring is white with lemon (light brown) spots. Corporal adjusted very quickly to his new pack and to being a pet.

My other foxhound, Walden, was the runt from one of their litters, and never hunted.

WALDEN is a female foxhound, 7 years old in this photo. This is her favorite couch, though she has the choice of several. She is a tricolor foxhound with both red (the term for brown) and blue (the term for black) ticking (the term for small spots).

If you are considering adopting a foxhound, you will probably want to know about the breed, and also about some quirks specific to hounds that have hunted. Not all hunting foxhounds hunt foxes with a mounted hunt—some are used for hunting foxes on foot, or coyotes, or, where it’s allowed, deer. What I have to say about hunting hounds comes from my experience hunting on horseback following a pack of formally trained hounds in the traditional organized sport you’ve seen pictures of.

Hounds can be wonderful companions, very affectionate and amusing. They are particularly emotional—it’s easy to hurt their feelings. Many are opinionated. They may be couch potatoes for extended periods of time, punctuated by bursts of energy. Until taught otherwise, they are natural counter surfers. I’ve been around when some miscreants “hunted” down a hunt’s Christmas feast and wiped it out! Others I know ate entire lasagna that had been grabbed off the kitchen counter. They are also very hardy. I have had vets tell me that hounds can physically withstand medical conditions that would kill another breed of dog.

If hunting hounds are scared or unruly it is not because they have hunted. While a few hunting hounds are poorly socialized and may have been ignored or mistreated, most individual hunters and the majority of mounted foxhunts’ huntsmen love their hounds and take excellent care of them. The hunters and huntsmen who abuse their hounds are in the distinct minority. In my experience of mounted hunts’ foxhounds, the dogs are personable and extremely well trained. And here in the mountains of rural Virginia I personally know several individual hunters who hunt several hounds, including foxhounds. Their dogs are in beautiful shape and very friendly.

Foxhounds are very attuned to people, as anyone who has worked and/or hunted with a foxhunting pack knows. The leader of the pack is the huntsman, who leads the hounds while out hunting and who gives the hounds their orders and provides discipline and direction using a series of voice commands and calls on the hunting horn.

Even the poorly socialized hounds that occasionally make their way into pet homes can usually be trained, with enough patience and discipline, and blossom as pets. Rescues and shelters will already have begun this process of socialization but it still requires fine-tuning when the dogs are adopted and enter a home.

When meeting a hound with an unknown temperament for the first time, be patient. The hound will usually take some time learning to trust you. Just in case it has had an abusive past, don’t make any fast, threatening movements; don’t make any attempt to pat or touch the hound’s head or otherwise move at them from above. Some hounds are “head-shy,” meaning they aren’t used to being patted on the head, either because they were abused or it’s just a new experience. Squat down and let the hound approach you, avoid eye contact initially, and stick your hand out for the hound to sniff. Be extra-gentle and considerate of the hound. Observe how it reacts carefully, and try to understand why he or she is reacting the way it is and what experiences may have caused this.

Foxhounds should have exercise as often as possible. I run with my two foxhounds every day. I call them my pace cars and they are quite beautiful when they run. They also get exercise on our small farm. Exercise is very important for these dogs, who often run long distances while hunting—in my hunt hound’s case, 30 or more miles every day he hunted.

As far as retired hunting foxhounds go, I cannot stress it enough: Hounds must have respect for their owner (pack leader). Just like a child, they will not obey rules if they are not provided with discipline and structure. This takes consistency, of course, and sometimes some guts. With my retired hunting foxhound, a male who weighs 90 pounds, I had a confrontation early on. He tested my resolve. In response, I got him down on his side and sat on him. I stayed alert for any attempt to bite and removed the threat, closing his mouth tightly, and continued sitting on him until he gave in. Now he knows

There are certainly other ways to reinforce rules, which any knowledgeable shelter director or good dog trainer would know, but this was the method I used. I had seen the director of the shelter I volunteer at use it and it worked for her. To make sure that he remembers that I am boss, I have him wait for about 30 seconds every night before I allow him to go up the stairs to his crate for the night. I convey the message with a foxhunting voice command, “Get behind,” then I say “okay” and up he goes. In foxhunting, this is one of the voice commands that the huntsman uses to teach the hound that the huntsman is the leader.

Neither of my foxhounds has ever threatened to bite—though they have growled a few times—nor have I ever known of any foxhounds actually biting someone. The director of the animal shelter where I volunteer has advised me not to reprimand any dog for growling, because a growling dog is warning you before biting, and you don’t want it to skip that step when it is scared or displeased.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE MALE FOXHOUNDS from a pack of about 40 hounds hunted by the central Virginia foxhunt from which Corporal retired (he’s the third hound from the left in the front). Each kennel run (there are four) has a bench which provides a resting area up off the kennel floor. After a hunt the hounds pile on top of one another on the bench and fall sound asleep.

A word on hunting commands for foxhounds. The huntsman of the hunt that I rode with gave commands in a gruff, strong voice. He sometimes gave them rather arbitrarily just to reinforce discipline and the pecking order of the pack. The actual words used vary among huntsmen, but the ones our huntsman used include:

Leave it. This tells the hound to stop investigating whatever he is interested in at the moment, usually something he is sniffing or trying to pick up with his mouth.

Get behind. (Given while pushing your body toward the hound.) This tells the hound to step back (from the gate, stairs, door, etc.), and let the huntsman lead the way.

Hold back. This tells the hound to stop, or wait for the huntsman to catch up when the dog is out front.

Kennel up. This tells the hound to get in its crate, a vehicle, or other enclosed space.

Foxhounds do well with another dog/pack member who will show the hound the ropes in his or her new home and provide a good role model. As puppies, hounds are taught how to hunt with the pack by being coupled (their collars are connected with a link between them) to a more experienced hound. New hound owners can take advantage of this. The new foxhound in the family will quite naturally follow the cues from the dogs currently in the household. Unfortunately, the foxhound will be just as eager to imitate the existing pack’s bad habits as their good habits, so watch closely and intervene before the foxhound mimics your long-time dogs’ annoying quirks!

If your new foxhound is not yet house trained, a long-time resident can make that task almost automatic. I don’t even remember house-training either of my foxhounds. They each joined our existing pack and learned very quickly. They are naturally clean in their home environment and this helps in their training. My retired hunting foxhound was almost instantaneously crate-trained, too. Like so many dogs, he loves the close, cozy, safe environment of a crate.

Fences are a necessity. Most hounds will leave any non-fenced area, wandering off, chasing a deer, or picking up another line of scent that extends out beyond the yard. I have an invisible fence which both of my hounds respect. I do check on them often, even with them behind this fence. I don’t want one of them stolen by a deer hunter, especially during hunting season. And I never leave them in the fenced area all day while I am occupied inside, which is a recipe for disaster. Also, invisible fences don’t keep out wild animals or neighbors’ pets.

I also will not let my retired foxhound run loose, for his own safety. I would worry about him getting hit on the road, lost, or shot. We live in a rural area where it is legal to shoot any dog molesting livestock. And there’s always the chance that some no-good could take a shot illegally

Leashes are a must. If my retired foxhound gets on a line of scent while we’re running I stop running immediately. He’s quite large so I have had instances where I have had to let go of the leash because I am going to have a crash or I’ve already tumbled to the ground. I’ve learned to hold on tight, walk, and sometimes a command in a gruff, loud voice will slow the hound down or break him or her off the scent. My foxhound responds to the words, “leave it,” because if he started chasing deer out hunting that’s what he heard. And it works!

Speaking of leashes, a really handy training technique using one is called “umbilical cord” training. A new foxhound owner brings the hound home and keeps the leash on the hound and hooked to the owner himself or herself or, at a minimum within grabbing range. This should be done for a week or so. It allows the owner to correct the hound immediately when the hound does something wrong.

And a word on cats. It has been my experience and that of our county shelter director that not all hounds will chase and/or harm or kill cats. Here, again, the owner must be the boss. The owner needs to show the hound that the cat belongs to the owner; the cat is the owner’s “possession.” The leash worn by the hound for a while after it’s been brought to its new home (and when it is first introduced to the cat) can be grabbed quickly and used to “check” him or her (a sudden, short tug, not dragging the dog away from the cat). Voice is very important here—gruff, loud, insistent. For a good while, watch the situation until you trust there is a decent chance that a relative peace between the animals exists.

Photo by Justortitri - some rights reserved.

My foxhounds are the pride and joy of my life. I fell in love with the breed when I was foxhunting and continue to rescue foxhounds from kill shelters in the South and to find homes for foxhounds retiring from my previous foxhunt. Adopting a foxhound has been one of my life’s most rewarding experiences. No doubt it could be the same for anyone adopting one of these wonderful creatures.

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165 Comments

Jill Sicheneder

2/8/2013 02:06:35 pm

Very detailed and informative. Thank you Beth!

Garrett Pollard

10/12/2013 03:14:59 am

I just adopted an American Foxhound from a person who just did not have the room for her. Her name is Belle and I plan on training her for the outdoors/hunting and to show my son how to love and respect something other than himself. So far so good. I'm gonna wait a bit until out connection is stronger, and the respect and boundaries have been set. I'm very optimistic that this will lead me to another foxhound within a few years. Thanks for your input. I'm glad to have been able to share my new relationship w/16 month old Belle w/you.

Beth Gyorgy link

10/12/2013 03:53:43 am

Garrett, Thank you for getting in touch and letting us know about Belle. Congratulations on having a foxhound in your life. I hunted behind a pack of about 40 for 8 years and will never forget it. About 1/3 of the pack were born in my barn (pregnant females are taken out of the kennels until their pups are weaned) and it was such a fascinating learning experience for me to watch them develop into full-fledged members of that pack and just recently to find them retirement homes, including mine. They have deep roots in the history of this country - George Washington having his own hunting pack. Perhaps this is something you can explore w/your son, the history of a dog breed that he'll have personal experience with. The working relationship you'll develop is incredibly rewarding. Please let us know how Belle is doing and about any new members of her pack.

Nicole Hamilton

5/21/2021 07:30:28 pm

How is she doing after all this time!

Angela Faeth

2/22/2013 10:07:54 am

A good read! Many of the commands you described "get back" "hold up" (or in my case - wait!), are the commands that I use when hiking with our black and tan coonhound. She's on leash of course -but depending which trail we are on, I use a 30 foot tracking lead and let her have some fun either ahead or behind me on the trail.

I also liked your comment about how sensitive hounds are, I would add SMART to that list also. Thank you

Jerry Dunham link

2/25/2013 12:28:56 am

Smart is certainly right for most hounds. I've always found it interesting how many people, including professional trainers, think these hounds are stupid. The problem is that they are more challenging to train because they're independent thinkers, less inclined to mindlessly follow human instructions than herding dogs or retrievers that were bred to do exactly that. Never underestimate a motivated hound.

Leslie

4/23/2013 03:51:33 am

Thank you for this article! I'm interested to learn if there are resources available in Mass?

Jerry Dunham link

4/23/2013 04:54:21 am

Are you looking for rescue resources? Or some other resources, such as training?

For rescue in Mass, try:

http://www.necoonhoundrescue.org/

If you a seeking something else, please get back to us.

Christine Horn

7/31/2013 08:00:04 am

There is another rescue in Hopkinton, MA. Greyhound Friends also foster coon & foxhounds. I adopted a 4 year old female 2 months ago from them. She was from Virginia. She has needed a bit of TLC but she is responding positively. I agree with the emotional bond with this breed. Sheila (our Foxhound) is quite "needy" and we provide her every opportunity to bond with us. Belly rubs (most love this) and soft loving talk.

Emily link

7/31/2013 01:02:43 pm

Christine
Thank you so much for telling us about Greyhound friends!

Doris Dickson

8/12/2014 02:42:31 am

My foxhound, Jules, is also from Greyhound Friends. I adopted her at 4 1/2. She turns 7 in the next few days according to her paperwork. She started life in West Virgina and wasn't "fixed" until just before I got her, so we think she was used for at least some breeding.

She did not come housetrained and to this day has no qualms about peeing in her crate if she has to. She dose not pee in the backyard no matter how many paper towels with urine I've led her to. She demands to be walked to pee and usually takes a block or two (suburban blocks) to feel the "need."

The counter surfing has been diminished primarily by training me (big surprise). If I must leave something on the counter I put it in the microwave. She no longer eats entire loaves of bread or packages of english muffins.

She picked up a bad habit about a year after I got her ... resource guarding. No clue how that happened. I don't care to be growled at if I sit next to her when she has a bone, beef tendon or bully stick. Sometimes, I don't know she has it because it is under her and I'll assume she's eaten it. Silly me. When it happens, I have decided to just take it away and put it overhead and she stops. My significant other (we share "custody") - not so much. So that lack of consistency doesn't help. Tell him that!

The "leave it" command ... she's a big, big, scent driven dog and walks get a bit frustrating since we get no further than a foot or two down the street before she finds something else. Sometimes four or five tugs (I use a regular leash not a retractable) and "leave its" do no good at all. Words of wisdom would be appreciated.

BTW - Louise Coleman (founder of Greyhound Friends) and her team are wonderful. She's been at this for 30 years though foxies, coonies and hounds are newer to the rescue. Louise is great at matching up a dog to its human(s). I've intervened to various extents in the last six weeks because of foxies who were in emergency need. She took all four (including an accused biter) with no questions asked. She even got one transported from a teenager in Indiana who just couldn't provide his girl with the necessary time, attention and skill. Two of the four have been adopted. I can't say enough about Louise and her team.

Beth Gyorgy

4/23/2013 05:30:39 am

Hi, Leslie. When you mention resources can you be a little more specific? Thank you, Beth Gyorgy

Emily link

8/12/2014 03:24:37 pm

Doris
Lots of hunters leave their hounds intact but don't breed them...
For housetraining, you might reduce the size of the crate to the next one smaller. Most dogs dislike soiling the area where they sleep. If there isn't enough room to sleep in a clean spot and pee, she'll try not to pee.
Most pet hound owners try to keep temptations off the counter, but you can also try the "can monster" techniques described elsewhere on this site.

The resource guarding around you but not your partner sounds like she has more respect for your other half. This may have to do with tone of oice, or who treats her like a hunting partner, or just some remnant from her past life. To correct that, practice giving her arbitrary, but easy, commands at random times. SIT, rewarded with attention, for no reason. After she is complying with these, escalate to object exchanges--drop it (the bone), offering something else--preferably something that will be consumed quickly, like a biscuit, in exchange for giving you the bone. You need to practice this kind of thing until she gets the idea that all resources are yours, unless you want to give them up.

As for LEAVE IT, consistency is the key. Keep her on a short leash. Accompany the command by turning a circle, eliminating the opportunity to grab the forbidden object. Refuse to proceed until she gives grabbed objects up. Remove them from her mouth and toss out of reach. Repeat every few steps if necessary. Once she gets the idea you won't give up, she will listen to your command. This may take awhile because she's gotten away with grabbing things for quite some time. Your walks may be unpleasant for a week, but it will be worth it because they will be a lot pleasanter for the rest of her life!

Leslie

7/31/2013 10:57:38 pm

Thank you Christine and others I was looking for resources for rehabilitating our rescue foxhound who has is extremely timid and fearful. She was a stray found eating rocks so has lost all her front teeth and is blind in one eye. She has come along way in the few months we have had her and has been to school, but would love to find someone who could help us work with her and help her gain confidence.

Beth Gyorgy

8/1/2013 02:28:33 am

Hi, Leslie. Glad you got back in touch. Reply forthcoming . . .

Emily link

8/2/2013 01:00:11 pm

Leslie
Sounds like your girl had a rough time as a stray. Poor thing. Are you in Eastern or Western Massachusetts? I'm in the Catskill mountains, not too far from Western Mass.
As for helping your girl along, any good behaviorist or trainer who has worked with timid dogs should be able to help, but you may find that working on scent games with her will help build her confidence especially well, especially if her other senses are somewhat compromised. There's a list of easy scent games here:
http://flyingdogpress.com/content/view/46/51/
Make sure you dampen her food to go easy on those toothless gums.
Blind hounds usually do fine, so a one-eyed hound shouldn't have many problems from that.
Remember that she's a scent hound, and give her the opportunity to sniff around new surroundings and objects, including your hand each time you pet her. Timid dogs usually respond well to being given the time and opportunity to investigate new situations, and initiate new relationships. Don't force her into new situations too quickly, and let her lead with her nose...

Rachel

8/4/2013 03:15:34 am

Thanks so much for the helpful tips. I recently "acquired" a 1 year old foxhound. He showed up in our yard, extremely malnourished and afraid of everything. After months of trying to find his rightful owner (no collar, no microchip), Silas is now a member of our family. He is an absolute peach and I want to be sure that we are doing everything that we can to help him become a well-trained, socialized and happy dog. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!!

Emily link

8/4/2013 01:44:52 pm

Rachel
Tell us a little more about you and Silas and what kind of environment you live in. What part of the country? Is your home rural, suburban or urban? Do you have a fenced yard? Does Silas walk reasonably well on lead? How many family members? Other pets? Will he spend stretches of time alone at home?

Rachel

8/5/2013 12:31:47 am

Hi Emily,
My husband and I live on 32 acres about an hour away from Pittsburgh, PA. We have one other dog, Ellie, (a Heinz 57 rescue, beagle-ish dog) and three indoor-outdoor cats. Si gets along very well with Ellie and the cats. He is both inside and outside, wherever we are. We have a very long tie-out in our front yard for when he's outside and we take him with us to whatever area we're working on around the house. He walks reasonably well on a lead, getting better every day :) Based on watching his skittishness with new people (but never new dogs) and with his reactions to loud noises, I would venture to bet that he may have been a gun-shy hunting dog who couldn't perform his tasks, so he was probably abused and then either escaped or was let loose. He showed up in our back yard in April, so malnourished that he couldn't even walk right. He's very smart and responds well to positive reinforcement for his appropriate behavior, but he's not consistent. For example, he'll come when called 75% of the time, but then there are times when he just stands and looks at me. Our goal for Si is to teach him basic obedience so that he can thoroughly enjoy our big, open fields without me jogging with him on a leash.
Much thanks for all of your help!

Emily link

12/2/2013 03:28:14 pm

Sounds like you are going about things pretty well. Scent hounds are bred to make decisions out of sight of their handlers, and can be pretty independent thinkers. That tendency to ignore you on occasion is pretty common. You have to earn their respect to get them to listen to you. Silas probably thinks your hunting skills are dubious and you may not be the most reliable partner. And if he is on scent, he is hard-wired to think that the most important thing is to follow the scent trail. He may even chase the cats if he isn't tied.

To open a hound's ears when his nose is engaged, you have to do something hard to ignore. I use an extremely loud whistle. A lot of people use shock collars, which are fine if you know how to use one properly. My hounds have also been trained to return when I blow the horn on my truck. Any positive reinforcement, done consistently, will work. Hounds are usually eager to please.

To earn the dog's respect, you have to become his partner in some shared activity. Any dog sport will work if you or your kids are interested. Even scent games will help. Lay a trail with a hot dog and hide a piece of it that he can eat as a reward. Make sure he doesn't see you lay the trail so he has to use his nose to find it, then praise him effusively when he does. You can do the smae with the kids stinky socks or dirty t-shirts, letting the hidden child pet him up as the reward. The late Suzanne Clothier's website has some good scent games.(see our links page).

Hounds have a lot of heart and will run past their comfort zone if they are chasing something. Its not uncommon for a hound to run 25-30 miles on an all day coyote hunt in deep snow. That often leaves sore pads and takes five pounds off the dog's weight in a single day. The fact that Silas showed up so skinny and limping indicates he has that in him. Most hounds will find their way home eventually if left on their own (if they don't get into traffic), but you may want to invest in a tracking system if you are going to go for hikes with him. These are pretty expensive, but the old radio tracking systems can be purchased used for considerably less than the new GPS systems, especially if you get a used one. A key-ring LED on his collar will help you see him at night..

Rachel

12/4/2013 09:45:58 pm

Thanks so much, Emily! It's a big help to have such educated and knowledgeable advice coming. I'll be sure to keep you updated on Si's progress!

Louise

11/21/2013 05:57:36 am

My brother is unable to care for a 16-month old foxhound/labrador mix, Buster. He is gorgeous and all that you describe. How can I get him into a hunting training program that will keep him? I am grateful for any insight and advice you may provide. Anything close to Philadelphia? I am willing to drive ANYWHERE in the East. Thank you!

Beth Gyorgy

11/23/2013 04:07:55 am

Hi, Louise. My blog concerns foxhunting clubs where a pack of hounds numbering usually 35-40 hunt (really chase) the fox and the hounds are followed by a group of riders, again maybe an average of 25 people. These clubs have only purebred foxhounds that have been bred, raised, and hunted within the mounted foxhunting community for centuries in both England and America. Neither are dogs from outside the community ever introduced into one of the packs nor are mixed breeds.
What I would suggest is that you look into a dog rescue organization. Petfinder is a great way to find one near you - www.petfinder.com. Scroll down to the item on the left, "Find a Shelter or Rescue." The next screen will ask you to enter your zipcode and the site will then list rescues near you. Call them rather than emailing. Ask for the "Intake person" a then explain your situation and ask if they can take Buster. I have rescued several hounds from kill shelters in NC and have found the offer of a donation often helps. You might also want to try especially Labrador rescues which may take mixes.
I have asked my Coonhound & Foxhound Companions colleagues to give me any more information they think might help. They know much, much more about placing dogs into rescue than I do. I will pass any along as soon as they get back in touch w/me.
I will be back in touch. It's quite admirable that you're willing to go anywhere in the East for Buster.

Jerry Dunham link

11/23/2013 05:16:48 am

Beth's answer is pretty complete, so I have little to add.

I can say that there in Texas Lab and hound rescues alike are so overwhelmed with the number of purebreds in need that most won't consider taking a mix. It's not because the mix is less valuable; it's because adopters don't come to such groups looking for mixes and it takes a very long time to find homes as a result.

Your best chance is probably to do go to a rescue group that focuses on mixes, particularly large-breed mixes. You can spot such groups on Petfinder, even if they don't state that as their mission, by the fact that they often list a lot of Lab mixes available.

I hope this helps.

Caroline

12/30/2013 11:43:41 am

Hi Beth: I adopted two foxhound brothers brothers from a rescue about 2 years ago (they were about 18 mo old). Someone had purchased them from a breeder out in VA and then decided they were too much to handle and dumped them at a shelter. The boys lived at a doggie day care for 11 months until I adopted them They received VERY little training of any kind. I'm doing positive training with them but we struggle. I live in the city which I know isn't the best place for the dogs but we generally walked 3 - 4 every day. I am looking for some one to help me train them with countersurfacing and other hound behaviors. I love hounds as a breed and want to do what I can to train them to be good housemates. Have any ideas where I could look for someone who knows hounds? thanks.

Beth Gyorgy

12/30/2013 11:55:27 am

Hi, Caroline. It sounds like you're doing wonderful work with your hounds. Hounds can do fine in a city with enough exercise.

Where do you live? Are you in VA?

Caroling

1/1/2014 01:09:05 am

Hi Beth: I'm in Washington DC but totally willing to travel with the boys. See my post back to Emily for more info.

We have been through 2 positive trainers and have used prong collars, gentle leader harnesses and are now back to the gentle leader head halter. Not much works for long. I just want to figure out if I'll ever be able to walk them in a sane way. I think we are the comic relief for the neighborhood. : - )

This site is a godsend.

Emily link

1/5/2014 01:54:08 pm

I missed this earlier post.
When I lived in the city, I walked my two boys on a coupler, which attaches the dogs to each other. You attach the leash to a ring in the middle, and handle two dogs with one lead. For the most part, they pull against each other and self correct without too much interference from me, The only times I'd come near losing control was when they both decided to go alley cat hunting and wanted to go in the same direction at full speed--that required a quick wrap around the nearest light pole or parking meter to stop. In the country, where I rarely keep them on the coupler for long, I use a short coupler. In the city, where they had to coordinate to do their business, I used a longer coupler to give them more maneuvering room. The dumber one would always find ways to tangle them up while the smarter one would find ways to untangle them. You do have to be careful while doing on-leash socializing with other leashed dogs, because the coupler makes it much easier to get tangled with their friends, which usually has unpleasant results. Otherwise, the arrangement worked well and made them considerably more manageable.Couplers are readily available at hound dog supply places--there are some links on our web page. They are available in two, three, and four dog versions, occasionally more!
I also use a "tree tie" lead, which makes it easy to tie a hound to a post or tree quickly. These are easily found at hound supply places as well, and should cost less than $10. The key features are a floating ring on the main part of the leash and an extra snap hook on the handle. You can wrap the leash around the tree or pole, snap the hook to the floating ring ,and the dog is tied to the tree/pole in an instant. Very handy. Also useful when running into a store for a quick errand. I prefer the versions made of a plastic material called Beta, which comes in day glo colors, but there are other models in plastic encased cable, metal chain, and leather. I have some very nice braided leather ones that I got in Amish country, but they were very stiff when new and took some breaking in.
I also found that my hounds hated those gentle leader head collars, and much preferred a harness with the lead attachment on the chest. I could control both dogs with a slight flick of my finger with that. These are widely available in urban pet supply stores. The brand I used was sense/sensation, but there are others that work just as well. The important thing is the chest attachment of the lead. A harness with a back attachment seems to multiply their ability to pull rather than diminish it. These days, I use Planet Dog harnesses for seatbelts in the truck, and can attach their leads to the chest ring on that and it works just as well.

Beth Gyorgy

12/30/2013 11:55:48 am

Hi, Caroline. It sounds like you're doing wonderful work with your hounds. Hounds can do fine in a city with enough exercise.

Where do you live? Are you in VA?

Emily link

12/31/2013 02:51:59 pm

what city are you in, Caroline? I kept 2 coonhounds in Brooklyn NY for awhile. we're aware of people in other cities with hounds. Maybe we can put you in touch wth someone near you.
As for countersurfing, the best way to manage the problem is to keep things put away. The best I've been able to do is to teach mine to ask before grabbing. However, there are tips elsewhere on this site if you look around. One of the most effective is the "can monster." tie a few soda or beer cans together with string. Put in a few pennies, pebbles, or other noisemakers. Line the cans up along the edge of the counter with some bait behind--hot dogs are effective bait. Whenn the hound puts its paws on the counter it gets tangled in string and knocks down the cans making an unpleasant racket and causing a mild panic as the hound tries to untangle itself. Only do this when someone is within hearing distance and can rescue the hound. This technique is more effective on some than others. Some leave counters completely alone after one encounter with the "can monster." Others need a can monster on the edge of a counter forever. My Mudd will jump on the stove to pull bacon out of the frying pan while its cooking unless we put a can monster with magnets on the stove or keep tight surveillance on the situation! I can't tell you how many times I've scared myself in the morning when I knocked down our semi-permanent can monster while I was making my first cup of coffee in the morning...

Caroline

1/1/2014 01:04:29 am

Thanks for the super quick responses. I live in Washington DC but am willing to travel to a trainer. My last coonhound was found in W VA wandering in the woods. He was scared of EVERYTHING and so was a llittle more timid about exploring the house. These guys (Buzz and Woody) on the other hand egg each other on (part of their charm). They are typical coonhound characters and I wouldn't change them for the world. I would just like to know I might find my Xmas cookies in the am. They were on top of the microwave and I guess that is no longer a safe place. Back to storing stuff in the oven and the microwave! I really appreciate the encouraging words from you both!!

Happy Holidays and a Great New Year!!

Lauren

6/11/2014 03:58:43 am

Hi Caroline,

It seems like I am in the same situation you found yourself in about 4-5 months ago. I live in Bethesda, just outside the DC area and would love to get together some time to talk hounds and have our "boys" meet. It sounds like I could learn a great deal from your experience!

I just rescued a beautiful lemon colored foxhound. The shelter did not know much about the hounds or did not do a great job of preparing me for this breed. They told me he was lab mix and that was why he was yellow.

I have resuced many dogs in the past, but I am new to the southern area and to hounds and hunting culture. It would be wonderful to hear some insight in to what has worked for your animals transitioning in an urban area so that I can be sure I am meeting his needs. It is a difficult transition from hunting pack to family pet. Rufus (our rescue) has been sweet, and patient with us, but for sure we made some hound mistakes in the beginning and had some false starts. Luckily he is such an intelligent and sweet natured animal that we seem to be moving past those hurdle. Like you said in your article, he is quick to pick up cues on what I want from him.

We hope to hear from you!
~Lauren and Rufus

Loriel

3/21/2019 08:41:05 pm

Hi Lauren and Caroline,
I am in the DC area and have a beautiful 7yo tricolored foxhound. Would love to meet all of your hounds and learn from your experience.

I’ve had Lady Edith (@ladyedith.thefoxhound) for 5 years now and we are still learning city life. But we love it!

Lauren

6/11/2014 05:59:28 am

Lauren

6/11/2014 06:00:30 am

Rochelle

1/7/2016 09:08:58 am

Caroline,

I just rescued a puppy whose mom is a foxhound or coonhound and a lab mix ( they think lab). She has many hound tendencies and tries to counter surf. She hates the crate and howls up a storm. I have started taking her to daycare 5 days a week and she loves playing--this has also helped with tiring her out. Prior to daycare I think that really running them helps a lot. I am a teacher and when she is older I have all kinds of kids who are cross country runners who said they will run her. This might me an idea for you. To see if some high school runners will run them for you. Probably one dog per person.......Just a thought! I am so glad you rescued them!

12/31/2013 12:15:58 pm

Great article full of practical advice.

Emily link

1/1/2014 04:11:43 am

Caroline
There's a rescue group in D.C. that places a fair number of hounds:
http://www.citydogsrescuedc.org/1/post/2013/01/the-district-of-hound-by-cdr.html#.UsRXvEDMiW0
they may know a local trainer that's good with hounds. They certainly know other hounds to meet up with in dog parks...
I must admit, Christmas cookies that aren't in difficult to open tins get stolen around here too. Of course, it helps i you discourage them from eating human food altogether, but ours do the prewash on our plates and roasting pans and beg at the table like pros. Ovens are convenient hiding places, but I'm always forgetting about things I've put in there to protect and turning it on to preheat, then smell that melting plastic bag smell...
Hounds are smart. I know quite a few that have learned to open refrigerator doors, but few are smart enough to close them again when they're done!

Caroline

1/6/2014 05:14:05 am

Emily: Thanks for all the info. I really appreciate you sharing your experience with the gentle leader. I think I'm going to bag it. I used a gentle leader chest harness when I first got the boys and I think I'll try that as well as your other suggestions. I used a coupler for a while and that did do a lot to help them self correct. So using one again is a good option. I also have found a coupler of sorts that is made out of bungee-cord type of material that I will give a shot.
I can't thank you and Beth enough for the encouragement and support. I fell in love with coonhounds as a breed with I adopted my redbone and can't stand the thought of not having a hound in my life.

Beth Gyorgy link

1/1/2014 05:19:40 am

Beth Gyorgy

1/1/2014 05:21:44 am

I'll second Emily's recommendation. Ask for a woman named Meredith who's director of either the whole shebang - City Dogs - or the sub-program they have - District of Hounds. Let me know if you're successful. May have a few other ideas.

Caroline

1/1/2014 10:37:23 am

Emily and Beth: You are the greatest!! I will definitely get in touch with Meredith. The boys and I are in this for life and I just want to try to make everyone's life a little easier. Okay maybe just mine because they already have the life of kings.

I'll keep in touch.

Again, many thanks.

Lauren

6/11/2014 03:57:41 am

Lauren

6/11/2014 03:57:52 am

Lauren

6/11/2014 03:58:02 am

Rochelle

1/7/2016 09:12:06 am

Caroline,

You may have already gotten one..but a Martingale collar is the best. I get mine from 2houndsdesign.com
and I have used them with greyhounds forever...It is very safe, they cannot damage their windpipe or trachea and it works......

Caroline

1/1/2014 10:37:33 am

Caroline

1/1/2014 10:38:01 am

Caroline

1/1/2014 10:38:42 am

Caroline

1/1/2014 10:39:06 am

Caroline

1/1/2014 10:39:22 am

Emily link

1/12/2014 09:43:30 am

Caroline... on second thought, storing things in the oven may not be good enough. see this hidden camera of a beagle countersurfing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/10/hidden-camera-beagle-chicken-nuggets_n_4573808.html
now imagine what could happen with legs 2X that long!

Logan link

2/13/2014 08:20:08 pm

Thank you, I have lately been looking for information about this topic.

beth gyorgy

2/13/2014 11:28:49 pm

hi, logan. please let us know if you have any questions.

Beth Gyorgy

2/13/2014 11:30:48 pm

Hi, Logan, We're happy to help with any questions you may have.

robin

3/16/2014 10:30:28 am

I have rescue a lemon coonhound from the Northeast coonhound in Lexington ma love love love him. Ryan the foster dad was right on with his likes and dislikes. Teddy is a great addition to our family. Also he is sooo handsome. Call Ann at Northeast Coonhound rescue in Lexington there is an Expo in Plymouth ma on April 12 I am thinking of maybe finding Teddy a friend. We shall see.

Beth Gyorgy

3/17/2014 12:48:19 am

Hi, Robin. I'd love to see a photo of your hound. Hereabouts in Virginia lemon & white foxhounds are often tagged lemon & white Walker coonhounds. If you look at Corporal's photo at the beginning of this article you will see a lemon & white crossbred foxhound, crossbred being a combo of American and English foxhound.

But, aside from those details, sounds like you've become a fan of coonhounds thanks to Teddy. Again, we'd love to see a photo. If you want to send it to me personally use email bethgyorgy@gmail.com and we'll post it here. Have fun with Teddy.

Jan

3/28/2016 05:41:35 pm

Hi,
your site is so informative. Thank you for sharing. I was hoping you could shed some light about hounds with tattoos in the ears and what they mean in the Virginia area? What do the tattoos mean and what are they used for...assuming identification purposes.

Thanks so much!

Janice

Lauren

3/29/2016 06:26:08 am

This comment is for Jan. My pup was rescued with numbers painted on him. I live in the DMV area too, but my dog was found in South Carolina. Painting and tattooing numbers on the dogs is very common in the SC, NC, MD, and VA area for hunters. They typically mark their whole hunting pack, release all the hounds for the hunt and then sort out whos dogs are who's with the numbers at the end of the hunt. It is also sadly very common for the dogs to get off track and lost or to be released by hunters if they are not considered "good hunters". These guys can wander 200-300 miles easily in just a few weeks, so he could have come from anywhere. If he was a local dog and his hunter is missing him, he most likely would have made inquiries and been able to ID him via the tattoo.

Emily link

3/29/2016 09:11:31 am

I've passed these comments on to our foxhound expert in VA Beth Gyorgi. However, I believe each hunt has their own system, and tattoos are not centrally registered anywhere. I know that's true for coonhounds. Someone familiar with the regional hunts can probably recognize and interpret the particular tattoo. If you're curious, you might check with the MFHA or the Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance for interpretation. Some coonhound people use a dog's UKC registration number. Out west, big game hounds, which frequently are not registered with any kennel club, may have the initials of the owner, or a ranch's "brand," but they usually put it on the "tuck up" rather than the ear, because an ear can be cut off. The tuck up is that relatively thin-furred flap of skin just in front of either hind leg.
The tattoos are generally used to help get a dog home after its been separated from the pack or commingled with another pack, and to help members of the hunt distinguish particular dogs from each other. Most mounted hunts keep a pack that is bred for a uniform look, and those that don't deal with the dogs every day can have a hard time telling them apart.

3/18/2014 02:31:02 pm

I grew up w coonhounds all my life. Now have 3 walkers and 1 black n tan. the walkers were on coon 1 was coyote. my bk and tan was a gift. I love hounds I'll be 60 so you can say I've known the breed that long.sogreat to hear about others who care

Beth Gyorgy

3/27/2014 12:23:57 am

KC, Thank you for getting in touch with us. We love hearing about other hound lovers' experiences with their hounds, especially for so many years.

Andy

4/9/2014 01:01:43 pm

Thank you for your really great and informative post. There are some behaviors that I wasn't aware of until we got our foxhound and it is great to know that he's in such good company.
We walk our hound every night in a park and we often will see deer or horses. They seem to really throw our dog for a loop. He hollers and barks and cries and gets frantic. He has a hard time calming back down. We have tried many different approaches without success. A big problem is that he is so frantic it is tough to judge if he wants to hunt the animal, he is scared of the animal, or (especially for the horse) he wants to follow the animal. He was a stray so he may have been used in some hunting before he was rescued. Do you have any insight on this behavior? He is otherwise a very calm dog who respects our statuses as leaders.
Thanks!

Emily link

4/10/2014 02:11:00 am

Andy
That is your hound's "hunting switch" going off. You have to teach him that it is not OK to "hunt" horses or deer. Its easiest to do this if he is allowed to "hunt" something else, or at least get some "exercise" for his nose.
First, if he is getting frantic around deer and horses, you will need to keep him on lead when near them, or use a remote "training" (shock) collar until he gets the idea (which may be a long time). What you will need to do is get his attention. A shock collar will do that. If on lead, he is apt to pull very hard, so keep an eye out for a tree or post you can wrap the lead around to prevent your shoulder from being pulled out of the socket. A light pop on the jaw with your hand will usually get his attention. I also use a very loud whistle. Give a firm "NO" and try to make him look you in the eye until he calms down. Talk to him softly and just try to distract him. You will have to be very consistent about doing this, because his natural instinct is to hunt, but he also wants to please you, so its a matter of teaching him what he is allowed to hunt and what he isn't.
I took up catch and release hunting to give my hounds the chance to chase something they are allowed to, but you don't have to do that. You can try taking up a nose related dog sport, or just playing "scent games" with him. There are some described here: http://www.suzanneclothier.com/the-articles/scent-games-educating-your-dogs-nose
you may have to sign the agreement to get access.
The old fashioned way of "breaking" a hound from chasing "off" game was to tie a rag soaked with the animal's scent to his collar so he gets so used to it that he doesn't pay any attention to that scent. This isn't very practical on a hound that lives indoors, however, because the "scent" (usually the animal's urine or a concoction made of the animal's glands) is foul-smelling and you wouldn't want it in your house with you.
The shock collars are very effective. Most hounds learn to obey the "tone" setting and you don't have to administer a shock more than once or twice. However, a lot of pet owners don't want to do even that. The big advantage to a shock collar is that you can stop a hound immediately with one in an emergency (running into traffic, out on thin ice, etc) .
Most hounds just need experience being reprimanded consistently around horses, because they are bred to chase predators, not vegetarians. Not all, however. One of my hounds was whelped in a horse barn and thinks he is a horse. He wants to challenge every horse he sees to a race. One hound club we go to is next door to a farm where several top race horses at the Saratoga racetrack are kept, and I used to worry when he escaped and went over there, barking his fool head off. However, the horses seemed to understand what he was up to and seemed to enjoy showing him that he couldn't keep up, even though he is among he top drag race hounds in the state. This kind of challenge is not a good idea among amateur riders, but these horses were just out in a field grazing.He can keep up with them for a short sprint, so no harm came to horse or hound, and he would come back to me very pleased with himself. The horse trainers were not as pleased!

Andy

4/10/2014 03:52:36 am

Thank you again for more great information. With the horses and goats that live on our street we can easily get their hair and use it to desensitize him to the scent. It's not glands but it is worth a shot.
I read a few of those ideas on scent training and we will start doing that to try to combat the deer. The biggest problem with the deer is that we are far from home and have no warning when we see them, so we aren't in control very much. He's not a danger to us or anyone but himself as he stays worked up for an hour or more. He does pull hard which ends up working him up more and it becomes cyclical.
In an earlier post you mention that you are in touch with hound people in other cities. We live just south of Boston and would love to be put in touch with foxhounders in our area, if you know of any.
Thanks again, this is such a valuable website for us!

Andy

4/10/2014 03:52:47 am

Andy

4/10/2014 03:52:59 am

Andy

4/10/2014 03:54:10 am

...Sorry about the repeats, I didn't think my posts were going through.

Emily link

4/28/2014 01:13:32 am

Andy

There is a mounted foxhunt on the South Shore called the Myopia hunt. You may be able to find them if you Google it. However, the mounted hunts are not that friendly to outsiders.

There's a coonhound club in Ludlow MA, and others in Swanzey, NH and Exeter, RI. These places are apt to be more welcoming. The one in NH is having a big event Mother's Day weekend. You can find the schedule of UKC events here:
http://www.ukcdogs.com/Upcoming.nsf/ByZip?Open&Type=C
Your hound won't be able to participate in the licensed evrents because it doesn't have UKC papers, but you can watch the field trials and bring your hound (on lead) and meet the hunters and show people and other dogs.
There's also NE Coonhound Rescue in Lexington that has some meetups. They will have a booth at the Greyhound Friends event in Framingham on May18. Learn about that here:
http://www.greyhound.org/eventDetails.cfm?eventID=433

Natalia

4/27/2014 03:31:13 pm

What a great article! I moved to Texas from Russia and took my Russia Hound with me, they are almost identical to the Foxhounds. My dog used to get a lot of exercise when we lived in Russia because there's no leash rule, besides we lived in a country so running wasn't a problem for her. Here in Texas though she sufferes becuase we live in a planned community - small backyard and no place to let her run off leash. In dog parks she just doens't know what to do with herself.

Ca n you please give an advise where I could take her to run off leash and hunt small animals like mice for example? That was soemthing she loved doing - running is a must for her, every day. Here in Dallas area she really suffers due to the lack of exercise.

Are there any hunting clubs where I could let her run?

Than kyou in advance!

Emily link

4/28/2014 01:23:38 am

Most foxhounds in TX are used for coyote hunting. I wouldn't tell other people in TX that your dog hunts mice--Texans think only big stuff is worth hunting!
In Texas, hound hunting clubs don't generally have their own land. You should be able to turn your hound loose off leash at large public land management areas, but these tend to be large and you may need a tracking system or a lot of patience to find your hound again.
If you go to a UKC hound event, you will meet other hound hunters. They may poke fun at you for keeping a hound as a pet, but if you retain your sense of humor, they may take you hunting with them and tell you where they go. They will probably be interested in what you can tell them about hounds in Russia and will be interested in meeting your hound. The UKC schedule of upcoming events is here:
http://www.ukcdogs.com/Upcoming.nsf/ByZip?Open&Type=C
These events are free to spectators. The times and fees are entry deadlines for the events. Ones with field trials (FT) and water races (WR) are especially fun to watch. Get there about half an hour before the deadline and people will be standing around chatting, eating hamburgers from the kitchen, etc.

Natalia

4/28/2014 03:21:49 pm

Wow, thank you so much! Very useful informaiton!

I will investigate about " large public land management areas", not sure yet where I can find such areas. What are these exactly - forests? Or parks? She needs a lot of exercise, if she doens't get enough - she will drive us crazy if you know what I mean. This is why I'm desperately looking for a place where she could run free like she used to do back in Russia.

Thank you again, it is wonderful to finaly find other people in the US who appreciate and understand hounds :-)

Emily link

4/29/2014 01:53:22 am

Natalia
I used the vague term " large public land management areas" because I'm not sure what you have in TX. These things vary by state. In NY, we have various categories of public land, some administered by the state, some by municipalities. The state lands include Forest Preserves, Wildlife Management Areas, State Parks, and various other categories. Our state public land management agency is called the Department of
Environmental Conservation, and the NYC water supply areas upstate are administered by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. Other states have agencies with "fish and wildlife management" in their names. The relevant Texas agency can be found here:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
Explore that site and you should find public land areas. Techncally, dogs aren't supposed to be off leash in a lot of these, but in most places no one minds much so long as the area is not populated and not open to hunting species the dog might be interested in at the time, and you leash up the dog if it bothers other people.
In Texas, a lot of private ranches lease hunting rights to private hunting groups, but if you befriend someone with access to a large ranch, you may be able to let your dog run loose there as long as it is not during, or just before, deer season. Hunters often ask permission of perfect strangers, offering to help out with ranch work in exchange for access.. A ranch that is having problems with coyotes may actually welcome a hound running loose to keep the coyotes away from calves.

Natalia

4/29/2014 03:01:36 pm

Thank you so much, Emily! I never thought about asking a ranch owner but it's actually a brilliant idea! Thanks again for taking your time to expalain something that is maybe obvious for a local :-) I hope I will be able to give my dog what she needs - a lot of exercise!

She says "thank you" too :-)

Lauren

6/11/2014 03:11:14 am

I just rescued a beautiful lemon colored foxhound. The shelter did not know much about the hounds or did not do a great job of preparing me for this breed. They told me he was lab mix and that was why he was yellow. DNA told a different story!

I can't thank you enough for this article. I have resuced many dogs in the past, but I am new to the southern area and to hounds and hunting culture. It is wonderful to hear some insight in to what his life might have been like before so that I can be sure I am meeting his needs. It is a difficult transition from hunting pack to family pet. Rufus (our rescue) has been sweet, and patient with us, but for sure we made some hound mistakes in the beginning and had some false starts. Luckily he is such an intelligent and sweet natured animal that we seem to be moving past those hurdle. Like you said in your article, he is quick to pick up cues on what I want from him. In the month we have had him he is already very obedient but I am excited to try his hunting calls. I expect that I will see excellent response to them and am thrilled to learn and grow with him. I am sure your site will be a frequently returned to reference for me as we continue to bond. He is not extremely food motivated, so it is sometimes hard to reward him. Do you have any tips on what a good reward is for a dog like this? I am working on learning how to lay a scent for scenting as a reward so that I can further enrich his life.Thanks again for the wonderful insight!

Emily link

6/11/2014 04:19:00 am

Lauren
Glad you're enjoying your hound. There's nothing complicated about laying a scent trail. If you are using bottled scent, dilute the bottle in a pail of water. Tie a rag to a rope or string, soak the rag in the bucket, and drag it behind you. You want to be careful not to step in the trail you've laid and get the scent on your shoes, so make sure the rag stays behind you. Leave the rag at the end of the trail, or replace it with a toy or edible item. Put the rag in a plastic bag so it doesn't drip accidentally.
You don't have to use fox scent--a trail made with a hot dog tied to a string will work, although it may lead to your dog stealing hot dogs from the inattentive at backyard BBQ's. One hunt I know in NJ lays trails with anisette liqueur, then drinks the leftovers. If you happen to see a road-killed fox and can deal with amputating the tail,or skinning the entire hide, that will work too. Don't bring home a fleshy dead animal, though.
Most hounds re sufficiently motivated by praise and attention--they are very eager to please. A few "good boys" and pats on the head may be sufficient.
You might get a kick out of Rita Mae Brown's murder mysteries featuring Master of Fox Hounds Sister Jane Arnold. . The plots are the usual improbable murder mystery page turners, but they revolve around a fox hunt in VA and include a fair amount of mostly accurate descriptions of the traditions surrounding mounted fox hunting, replete with a fox hunting glossary in the back. She's written around a half a dozen of them.

Lauren

6/11/2014 06:19:27 am

Thanks so much for the scenting tip! I think it will really help him enjoy our walks together more. Also I am eager to teach him when it is appropriate to scent and not to "critter" (I am still trying to learn the terms). He broke away our second day when we came upon a herd of deer and 3 hours later he was caught when he drove the deer across a kids soccer camp. I know we got lucky that time and I have been extra careful to secure him in a harness/use the right leash/etc. It will be a big worry off my mind when I can get him to stop focusing on things that are a danger to him. Coming back or breaking off a scent will be a big win for me. :)

Also I would love to know if there are any hound clubs in my area I could work with. I don't see me taking him out on a hunt, but giving him a sense of community would be nice.

Emily link

6/12/2014 02:01:20 am

Lauren
Most of the DNA tests for pets tend to give erratic results when it comes to hounds, labeling most as fox hounds because they do not have enough coon hound in their databases to separate breeds descended from the same ancestry. Send me a pic at info@coonhounds.com or emily.plishner@gmail.com and I will offer my opinion on which yours is. A lot of people cross coonhounds and foxhounds to make good coyote or deer hunting dogs as well.

I'm not sure exactly where in the south you are. Its rare for a foxhound from an organized mounted hunt to end up in a shelter or rescue, and these groups tend to keep their hounds tightly bred and are disinclined to let them interact with dogs not in their own pack. Nonetheless, the "huntsman" who take care of the pack can be very interesting to talk to and can be very knowledgeable about hounds in general. The membership is more likely to focus on horse, riding, and the social aspects of the club, although a few are highly interested in the hound work. You can locate a mounted hunt near you on this site:
http://www.mfha.org/

There are a lot more coonhound groups. You can locate competitive coonhound events here:
http://www.ukcdogs.com/Upcoming.nsf/EventView?Open&Group=Coonhound&Type=M
These are free and your hound would be welcome at any of them, although he won't be able to participate in the formal sessions. No alcohol or firearms are allowed and no animals are harmed. They aren't terribly sympathetic to rescue groups, but do appreciate a hound owner interested in finding out what the hound was bred to do.

You may be able to meet other pet foxhound or coonhound owners on our facebook page or on coonhoundfanciers@yahoogroups.com
We have resources for organizing a hound meetup group on our web page here
http://www.coonhoundcompanions.com/long-ear-league.html

Lauren

6/12/2014 05:47:21 am

Thanks so much! I would love to have you take a look. I emailed to your gmail account!

sherry

8/20/2014 12:31:20 pm

hi
we recently lost our beloved plott hound and while looking for a new dog to join our family, i came across an adorable 6 year old fox hound. the family is being evicted from their home very shortly and will have to put this adorable dog in a pound in west haven ct. while
we are looking for a bigger dog, i very much want to help the owner.
please help me and tell me what i can do? is there a shelter/foster home that specializes and will take him?

Doris

8/21/2014 01:46:21 am

Sherry ... all Greyhound Friends in Hopkinton, MA. Louise Coleman (founder) may be able to help.

Emily link

8/21/2014 04:21:31 am

Sherry

So sorry about the loss of your Plott.

Doris' suggestion is good.

You might also try http://necoonhoundrescue.org/Home_Page.html
which is also in Eastern Massachusetts.

If you were willing to work as a foster for the foxhound until she can find a forever home, I'm sure either would be especially responsive.

I am puzzled by the implication that this foxhound is significantly smaller than your Plott hound was. Foxhounds are typically more or less the same size as Plott hounds, although individuals in both breeds differ. .

Doris Dickson

8/21/2014 04:36:54 am

Yup, NE Coonhounds are great but you need to know know they are foster/adopt (no facility), so if they are full ...

Ann Lambertus will be able to help you at NE Coonhounds BTW.

Craig Norkus

8/20/2014 02:16:52 pm

Hello,

First, let me say how happy I was to have found your webpage. After searching around off and on for months, as the saying goes, I hit the mother load.

It was almost a year ago, when I adopted Henry, an American Foxhound. I drove about four hours to a rescue shelter in the middle of New Mexico to meet and greet with Henry. He took to me immediately and vice versa. Henry was three years old when someone, apparently, found him along the side of a road and quite thin.
I am astonished at how great of a dog Henry is. He is so loyal, as I've established myself as the pack leader. Though, he established his dominance over my other dog, Oakley, a Lab mix. They're both about the same height at the shoulders, but Oakley has about 15 lbs on Henry. But again, Henry easily dominates. They get along so well and it's such a joy to watch them wrestle and walk together during our long walks. Okay, I promise to stop gushing.

Henry had to have been trained. I've often thought, 'Henry, I wish I knew the commands you no doubt would know.' He has such a nice walk. Whereas, Oakley is a bit sloppy and in dire need of a obedience training. Henry is such a good listener. I can't wait to try out the commands tomorrow morning. Okay, here is my dilemma:

1. do you recommend a certain type of trainer, if I were to bring Henry for a refresher, perhaps.

2. would you advise bringing both dogs to the training at the same time or separate?

3. while I love hearing Henry's howling or baying, I don't believe my neighbors do. I currently have a 50' x 60' back yard with a 6' high fence(on which, I've seen Henry easily jump near the top and start pulling himself up). My goal is to move to a larger property within the next year. Where is it common to keep the dog during the day? I allow the dogs to go in/out as they please throughout the day via a doggie door. Bad idea, right? While I often come home during the day, should I be crating Henry while I'm gone? Or, at the very least, inside the house or utility room?

Thank you very much in advance and I do apologize for the long letter.

Craig

Craig

8/20/2014 02:47:59 pm

I also wanted to point out that both dogs sleep inside every night. Henry sleeps under my bed or on the couch and Oakley, well, he sleeps on the bed in a spare bedroom. : ) I've done an okay job of informal training, but would like to bring the both to a professional trainer.

Thanks again.

Craig

8/20/2014 02:48:51 pm

Craig

8/20/2014 02:49:07 pm

craig

8/21/2014 05:00:47 pm

Sorry about the triple reply. Total accident.

Deborah

8/23/2014 11:27:52 pm

I was so happy to come across this website. I had been Googling for results on the disposition of foxhounds and found this.
Trixie is a rescue from Louisiana. I found her through Puppy Love Maine www.puppyloveme.org last November. I had lost my dog of 16 years the previous July.
Puppy Love had been trying for months to find a home for Trixie with no success. I'd been thinking it was time to have a companion again and I made a call about this dog on their website.
I had no previous experience with foxhounds other than ancient paintings of packs with their leader on some magnificent horse you see now and again.
What a really different dog she is. She's about 3 years old. When they found her she'd just had babies and was under a shed trying to feed them and protect them in a torrential thunderstorm. They rescued her and the pups and found good homes for all of them and eventually our lives intersected and we found each other.
Trixie is like no other dog I've ever experienced. She is a hoot but comes with a lot of baggage. Then again don't we all?
The first time I left her home alone I came back and she was on the kitchen counter looking out the bay window searching for me on the street. I even tried replacing the entry door with full glass so she can look out and she does but prefers the high spot when I'm gone. ( I didn't know about monster cans then until reading this post). To that end, I choose my battles and remove items from the counter before I go out and let her watch the world go by from her perch or curl up in a ball and wait for me there.
She is an anxious dog although you wouldn't know it unless you lived with her. She's totally afraid of any loud noise and thunder and lightning puts her over the edge. I have a thunder coat and that does help some but I feel so sorry for her. There's nothing I can do but talk gently and hold her if she'll let me.
She comes to work with me and follows me around my office. My staff loves her even when she's demanding. Usually about food. We've had to take steps to make sure she's not "working the room" and all in all she is either sleeping for hours or the biggest clown I've ever seen. What a goofy dog she can be. It's so endearing and fun. She didn't know how to play with toys when I got her and now has a select few that she will toss around every now and then. She's still learning to "play" with me. That seems to be a foreign concept and I will get that hound stare from her like " what the heck are you doing?" when I do. But, we're working on it. She is food motivated and I use that to my advantage. Good behavior gets rewarded.
She's learned to be on a leash although she is so strong I have to always be on guard that she will pull my arm out of the socket. I have a bad knee so I have a trio of dog walkers that give her long walks every day and on the weekends two or three a day which she loves.
When I walk her she's usually very good. I live in a small town that is one of the most dog friendly in the country. Socializing with other dogs is hit or miss. Sometimes she's friendly and sometimes she's not. There is no rhyme or reason to it and as time goes on she's is getting more tolerant and friendly to everyone. We all try to give commands, correction and praise that are uniform between us all so she's not confused. So far, so good.
She came to me with a serious case of heart worm and after months of aggressive treatment is finally free of them. She can now run and I have plans to let her go in fenced areas. I was cautioned about never letting her off a leash and that probably invisible fences won't work. I plan on fencing off a large part of my office property so she can. Reading above that these dogs can jump really high has made me rethink the height of my new fence to 6' tall rather than 4'.
Trixie also is acutely carsick. It's awful and the vet and I finally came upon Cerenia and that seems to work for extended time in the car. Just going back and forth to the office is work for her as she initially doesn't want to get in the car and then with gently coaxing will for the ten minute drive facing out the rear window in the sitting position. That is the only position she's comfortable with. On long drives she will do it for hours even with breaks. That's her position.
Now that she can run again- I'll take her to the local dog park and let her go. Inevitably she occupies her nose following scent around the perimeter and only mixing with others when she gets bored or another dog distracts her.
She's a good, very smart dog, very calm to the point you think she's falling asleep standing up, or the next minute dropping down with her butt in the air baying for play.
I'm glad to have a companion again. I didn't know I would end up with such a noble goof ball.

Emily link

8/24/2014 02:28:33 am

Deborah
So glad you and Trixie found each other. Sounds like she has found just the right home!
Not sure exactly where in Maine you are, but throughout the state there are plenty of large open areas where you should be able to cautiously let Trixie off leash provided you can be patient about waiting for her to come back or willing to walk into the woods to get her if she comes up treed. Road hazards and porcupines should be your biggest concerns. If you are planning on doing this frequently, you should invest in tracking equipment for peace of mind. You also might want to go to a competitive coonhound event to watch hounds do what they are bred to do. Many are listed here:
http://www.ukcdogs.com/Upcoming.nsf/EventView?Open&Group=Coonhound&Type=S&State=Maine.
Carsickness is a difficult one. Many dogs eventually outgrow the problem., but not all. Oddly, most carsick dogs do better in vehicles with a relatively rough ride--pickup trucks rather than Cadillacs. Opening windows for maximum fresh air helps. No eating within an hour of car rides; no drinking within half an hour. Crating will help restrict the inevitable mess to a managable area, or put down washable blankets. If Trixie is most comfortable sitting upright with her head out the window, you should tie her down so she can't jump out on impulse if she gets a whiff of intriguing scent. Any seat belt system available at pet stores should work. My boys wear harnesses and short leads hooked to the back seat seatbelt anchors. Some people find that ginger helps, usually given in the form of a ginger snap (cookie), but you don't want too much in the queasy stomach.
There are a lot more coonhounds than foxhounds in Louisiana, but temperamentally and visually they are very similar. We would love to see a picture of Trixie and you. If you like, you can send one directly to me at catskillclamour@yahoo.com or to info@coonhoundcompanions.com

Lauren

8/24/2014 11:42:03 pm

Deborah mentioned in her story about Trixie something I have been struggling with as well. Rufus has been with us for about 4 months now and although he is making tremendous progress with training he has extreme difficulty with the concept of play. He is not very food motivated (he is an anxious fellow and often food is the first thing he is not interested in if he feels uncertain). We want to be able to play and reward him with plan. We can occasionally get him interested in his kong or a puzzle toy, but interactive toys are something he just does not get. We were able to wrestle with him a bit in the beginning months, but ever since we have begun training him to heel and come it seems he has lost his confidence in us as playmates. He goes to the dog park every day (weather permitting) and will often find a dog or two to play chase with. It is beautiful to see him cutting loose and being playful, but it seems like this is one of the only environments he will do so in. Are we doing something wrong with our training? He is not afraid of us and often shows us his affection and happiness, but we would love to be able to play more. I thought this was just something we were working through with Rufus, but maybe it is common with hound rescues.

~L

Doris

8/25/2014 01:21:42 am

Lauren, Jules didn't know how to be a dog when we got her from the rescue either. She still does not play with toys but she does run and play well with other dogs in a group environment. Otherwise, she prefers to play with us not toys.

Considering I own a holistic pet supply shop it is kind of a bummer she doesn't play with toys or fetch balls but I guess I'm good with that because she does eat raw marrow bones, beef tendons and bully sticks rather than pull apart anymore shoes like she did when she arrived. I think she was bored!

Emily link

8/25/2014 02:43:11 am

A lot of rescue coonhounds were brought up in places where they were encouraged to work, not play. In a hunting environment, the hounds are usually housed individually, either tied out or in separate kennel runs. They are expected to be quiet when they are not loose and hunting. Sometimes they will be given a coon tail to play with as pups, but they don't usually know from toys, except for the occasional stick, so all these things are new to them when they get to pet homes. Most understand play cues from other dogs, but may take quite awhile to understand that you like to see them play because play with the "toys' they have chosen in the past (their owner's boot or glove, for instance) have gotten them in trouble.Rescue hounds tend to catch on about toys faster in multi -dog households where they learn from the example of other dogs.
Sometimes a rescue hound will see its pet owner as frivolous for wanting to play rather than work. It helps to earn the hound's respect first, by working in partnership at something that requires the hound to be the nose and the human to be the brains. Thats why I encourage people to play scent games with their hounds. Those can be both fun and rewarding for the dog.

Jan

9/4/2014 03:28:53 am

This is fantastic information! I was searching to try to find out what some common hunt commands are and this is the first site I came across.

We are fostering a 5 year old Foxhound from the south (we're in northern CT) right now and we know absolutely nothing about his background, other than he was given up because he wouldn't hunt. Wouldn't the hunt club know this at a younger age than 5?? Again, I'm assuming he is from a hunt club of some sort. I have no idea.

He clearly has never lived in a house and has no house manners, but we are working on it. (We've only had him for 5 days so far.) I think this may help us and can't wait to get home and try the commands! He's really a wonderful, fun boy. He is extremely friendly with everyone and loves all other dogs he's met and wants to play all the time. He is a 5 year old puppy! He tosses toys around and has a grand time.

My daughters, ages 5 and 7, love him. My husband and I love him, too, but we both work full time and don't think we have the time he needs for proper house training. We feel so guilty that he sleeps in the crate at night and then is in the crate all day while we're at work. We try to get in some good playtime after we get home and he and my lab/hound mix do some serious rough-house playing (they are very fun to watch together), but we try not to let it go on too long because he's being treated for heartworm and he starts coughing. (The vet said to let them play, but for us not to take him on any really long walks.)

As we watched the dogs play last night, we were saying what a great dog he is and how we wish he had more training/house manners already under his belt because this could easily be a foster fail. This is our first time fostering a dog and it happened rather unexpectedly. I submitted an inquiry about him because I had a fantastic Foxhound when I was growing up (she came to us as a puppy; boy was she a challenge, but the best dog ever!) and I wanted to know more about him. I was told he already had a foster family who might adopt him. Then just a few hours later, I was contacted by the rescue and asked if we could foster him because the transport he was on broke down and now the foster family in VA wouldn't be able to meet it on its new schedule, so now he would be arriving in CT with nowhere to go. I was in such shock, but of course said yes, despite knowing nothing about him. I feel like he was meant to come to us, but perhaps we were meant to just foster him as part of his journey to the perfect forever home.

Either way, while he's with us, we want to do whatever we can to help him learn to live properly in the lap of indoor luxury. And I am hoping your advice will help. :)

Beth Gyorgy

9/4/2014 07:07:54 am

Hi, Jan. Sounds like you have a typical, lovely hound on your hands. If you have a photo of him I'd love to see it (bgyorgy@vabb.com). I could maybe tell a bit about him just by looking. He could be from a mounted foxhunt or belong to an individual hunter. Does he have a tattoo in his left ear (the usual one) or on the inside of his thigh? And, no, 5 years is not too late too see that a dog doesn't want to hunt. the hound might not want to hunt, or can't keep up w/the pack for some reason, goes off on his/her own, causing trouble while hunting, etc.

Five days is not a long time. He'll need some time to settle in but not a lot. My hounds adapted very quickly though Walden was a pup. But so did Corporal and he came to us after 6 years of hunting. The kennels he was in were so filthy he was sick.

We used a crate immediately as you have done. We also relied heavily on our three other dogs to model behavior as to being housebroken. Corporal picked it up very quickly. Is your hound urinating or defecating in his crate? If not, you're gone a long way toward his being housebroken. You can let him out for brief periods around the house when you're around. Then let him outside with his housemate. The real secret here is his picking up on the other dog's behavior. I'm sorry not to be more specific. As I say in the blog my hound's housebreaking just kind of seemed to happen. I'd suggest you talk to a reputable trainer in your area (you can always ask your vet for recommendations) or Google dog housebreaking.

The commands - I'll be very interested in hearing from you how these work. Again, remember to say them in a firm, growling, somewhat loud voice. The pack, the pack, the pack - I can't stress it enough.

On the subject of a trainer - so many of them do not get hounds. Talking to them about house-training is one thing but I'd be leery of other subjects unless, of course, the person understands hounds. We have a person in our core group who knows a lot along these lines so if you have specific questions I can't answer from my own limited experience she probably can. Just let me know.

Again, five days is very little time. I would urge you to hang in there. I consider foxhounds to be worth their weight in gold (as you already know). It's a huge, huge adjustment for them to come from a kennel situation or perhaps living outside with a dog house and fenced enclosure.

Thank you for getting in touch.

Beth Gyorgy

9/4/2014 07:14:37 am

Jan, I should have added . . . You have to establish w/this hound that you are alpha dog. Don't be wishy washy w/commands or tell him to do something and not follow through. This is especially important w/a dog who has been in a pack situation. And they want the structure and a boss - it makes them feel secure. Keep us up to date.

Jan

9/4/2014 07:45:34 am

Thank you so much for your quick response! He is very clean in his crate, and I do think he's starting to understand that he's not supposed to go in the house. They day we picked him up was rough, but he's only had once accident since then (last night), but that was my fault for not getting to my feet fast enough to follow him out of the room. We are making sure that we let him out frequently and praising him when we see him go to the bathroom outside. We understand that we need to establish ourselves in the alpha role with him. I believe he already looks up to my husband, the way he looks at him and follows him around. You can tell he wants to please him and it's adorable.

I will check him tonight to see if he has any tattoos. In the meantime, I will email you some pictures of him. I think he is extremely handsome!

Thanks again!

Jan

9/4/2014 07:46:26 am

Thank you so much for your quick response!

He is very clean in his crate, and I do think he's starting to understand that he's not supposed to go in the house. They day we picked him up was rough, but he's only had once accident since then (last night), but that was my fault for not getting to my feet fast enough to follow him out of the room. We are making sure that we let him out frequently and praising him when we see him go to the bathroom outside. We understand that we need to establish ourselves in the alpha role with him. I believe he already looks up to my husband, the way he looks at him and follows him around. You can tell he wants to please him and it's adorable.

I will check him tonight to see if he has any tattoos. In the meantime, I will email you some pictures of him. I think he is extremely handsome!

Thanks again!

Danita Rafferty

12/13/2014 02:58:42 am

We adopted a male American foxhound from a shelter in Springfield, MO, about four years ago. He came in as a stray with a collar that only had a phone number, which was disconnected, but was from a city over a hundred miles away! We got tired of people asking us why our beagle had such long legs, we we had him DNA tested and he is a purebred American Foxhound. He's on the small side, weighs 60 pounds, and looks just like your Walden. He is afraid of gunshots, fireworks and thunder, so we speculate he was with a hunting pack that he got separated from. But, who knows? Anyway, my husband and I adore our "Calhoun" and think he is the smartest and most fun dog we have ever had! We live on a farm and he loves to take long hikes with us. He is a delight! Anyway, I have two questions: First, we have always wondered why he doesn't bay. He has two barks: one is a loud, big-dog bark if someone rings the doorbell; the other is the most unpleasant sound (first time we heard it, we thought he had got his leg stuck in a trap -- although there are no traps on our property.) He makes this sound when he gets the scent of something. We're not sure what, but we do know he has no interest in deer, rabbits, cats, or turkeys. We are guessing it must be a fox, but he has never flushed one out. Why doesn't he bay? As crazy as this sounds, we kind of wish he did bay! Second question: his belly is almost always a bright red and he licks at it a lot. Our vet hasn't offered much help. I have noticed that it gets worse when he has been doing a lot of running through the brush at our farm. Any advice on some kind of cream or ointment I could put on him? I am thrilled to have found this website! My husband and I have struggled to find information about foxhounds, and they are very uncommon in Missouri. I look forward to reading posts about foxhounds and learning more about this wonderful dog!

Jerry Dunham link

12/13/2014 04:13:02 am

I'm glad you found us, Danita. Your Calhoun sounds like an interesting dog. I have no idea why he doesn't bay. Our foxhound has a bay that can peel paint.

Note that there are more foxhounds in Missouri than you're aware of, though you likely don't hear them called that. A strain of American Foxhound was developed to hunt coyotes, and is often referred to as a coyote hound, though that's not a breed. Here in Texas they're called Running Walker Hounds, and mine is curled up behind me.

As for the belly redness, it's likely an allergy. Either he's allergic to something he's contacting when running through the brush, or he's allergic to something in his food ... possibly both. The most common food allergy is to corn, so make sure what you're feeding isn't corn based. We also have Great Danes, and one of them had food allergies that caused a lot of grief and experimentation before we settled on Natural Balance Potato and Duck. She thrived on that, but it's rather expensive.

If you have more questions than can be easily handled here in the blog, feel free to send us e-mail at info@coonhoundcompanions.com.

Thank you for giving Calhoun a great home!

Emily link

12/13/2014 05:26:10 am

p.s. Two other things that can cause red bellies: sunburn and windburn. Also, some dogs have skin and paw pads that get irritated by long runs on ice and snow.

Emily link

12/13/2014 05:18:41 am

Emily from Coonhound Companions here. As you can see elsewhere on this blog, sometimes those DNA tests are not 100% accurate for hounds, which are under-represented in those DNA test databases. A lot of the foxhounds that hunt coyotes are not as closely bred as the foxhounds that are bred for mounted hunts, and its possible that Calhoun is on the small side because he is at least part coonhounds. At any rate, the pedestrian hunters that use hounds want each hound to have a distinct voice that they can identify from a distance, so there is a large range in the variety of voices. While most hounds "bay on track" and "chop on tree" or when they've cornered their quarry, some chop on track (a more ordinary dog bark) or "squall on track." Sounds to me that Calhoun might be a squaller. That's usually a kind of hoarse, loud, croaking noise that varies from foghorn to screech owl, depending on how deep a voice it is. At any rate, Calhoun's voice probably switches when he goes on scent, and switches again when he's got his quarry, probably to a rapid chop bark. He may be chasing fox, raccoons or coyotes. Sounds like he's been trained not to hunt cats, deer, etc.
As for the red belly, that is most likely a contact allergy, because food allergies are not usually specific to belly only. For temporary relief, a benadryl pill may help. The formulation for humans is fine, and available at any drug store. The dose for dogs is 1 mg./lb. of dog. 50-75 mg for a 60 lb dog would be fine. The human dosages come in 25 and 50 mg. Benadryl (generic: diphenhydramine) will make the dog tired and a little thirsty, but is pretty safe for dogs. You can also try a bendryl cream or gel, which he may lick off.
Try to observe closely and make sure the problem is coming from running in the grass by watching seasonal changes. It could also be several other things around your house, like an allergy to synthetic carpet, cleaning chemicals you use on the floor, your laundry detergent (if he sleeps on the bed), or fleas. If its fleas, you probably would have discovered it already, but he may be picking them up from wild animals. If its something in your house, he will be having belly problems all winter.
Another common skin contact allergy is found in pine needles--if he lies down in a pine grove or you use pine cleaner on your kitchen floor.
It could also be a shampoo you use if you bathe him. Hounds are generally pretty good at self cleaning, and don't need much bathing. Its better to just rinse, then brush or pet vigously to stimulate the natural oils.
If you think you need to switch cleaning agents, go for the least scented product you can find--often the allergen is in the scent rather than the cleaner itself.
Dogs with pink-skinned bellies and paw pads tend to have these skin problems more frequently than dogs with dark-skinned bellies and pads.
As for the fear of guns, thunder, and loud noises, you can get the dog past that if it is a significant problem, but it does take a lot of work. If he's just a pet, it may not be worth the effort involved. Just make sure he has a "safe" place like a crate or closet, to retreat to during storms. I have one that panics if we are on the road together during a thunderstorm, and it can be dangerous when he tries to crawl into my lap while I'm driving!

Danita Rafferty

12/15/2014 12:30:34 pm

Emily and Jerry, thank you so much for your replies to my post! Very interesting that Calhoun may be a "squaller." His sound is definitely on the screech owl side of the range! We had heard that some people in MO use foxhounds to hunt coyotes and wondered if Calhoun had done that in the past. The only thing that makes me think otherwise, though, is that we have lots of coyotes on and around our property, and often hear them start howling around dusk. Calhoun can be lying on the front porch with us when they start howling and he never reacts. So maybe he was used for hunting raccoons or foxes. Guess we'll never really know. We adopted him when he was about a year old, and he was very fearful of men, tractors, barns, loud noises, gun shots, etc. It took a couple of months, but my husband totally won Calhoun over and now he is very friendly with almost all men who come into our house. We do watch him pretty closely with strangers (men), though, because he can act a little aggressive. Calhoun is approximately 5 now, and has gotten much better about loud noises, tractors, etc. over the years. Basically he is a very happy and fun dog!

As for the redness on his belly, our vet had said the same thing that food allergies aren't usually specific to just one area. I am pretty sure it is something he is coming into contact with outside, because if we go several days without a walk because of snow or really bad weather, it starts to look a lot better. I will definitely try the Benadryl pills and/or ointment. Thank you so much for your advice.

I will look forward to reading future posts on your site to try to learn more about our foxhound. My husband and I have fallen in love with hound dogs!

Danita Rafferty

1/27/2015 01:52:36 pm

We came back from a hike with our foxhound Calhoun right after the holidays and a couple of hours later noticed him limping on his front left. Later in the day it got worse and he started holidng his paw up. We couldn't find anything wrong with the bottom of his paw and thought maybe he had sprained his foot or ankle. A couple of days later we noticed heat and swelling on the top of his foot and then almost overnight a large red "blister" appeared on the top of his foot. Off to the vet we went, and they operated. No foreign body was found. At about the two week mark when his stitches were to be removed, we noticed a red "blister" now on the bottom of his foot. The vet now thinks there must be a foreign body in the foot and put him on antibiotics, which are giving poor Calhoun diahrrea. The vet is hoping that the antibiotic will help Calhoun's body eject the foreign body. Now, to make matters worse, there is a new, red blister on the top of his foot again -- but in a new location! What should we do? Has anyone else experienced this with their hound? Our vet is talking about surgery again, which I hate to put our dog through. But now that I have read about foreign bodies in a dog's foot on Google, I realize that this is no small problem. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Emily link

1/28/2015 01:45:24 am

Danita
Given Calhoun's issues with contact allergies, is it possible that the blisters are reactions to things he's come in contact with rather than a foreign body in his paw? I'm thinking in particular, farm chemicals? I know my Mudd, who does not have sensitive skin, came from a place along the Ohio river where he used to hunt and occasionally get into puddles with chemical spills. These resulted in hair loss in patches about the size of a quarter with red irritated skin
My suggestion, if you think there might be a foreign body involved, is to try drawing salve before surgery. This is an old-fashioned remedy available both in drug stores for humans and feed stores for animals. The chemical name is ichthammol. The most common brand for humans is Draw-it-all, which is an ointment sold in a tube. It also comes as a generic. You can also find a higher strength version in the horse supply department of the feed store, some place like Agway or Tractor Supply. There it usually comes in small jars.
Ichthammol is a tarry black goo and kind of messy--you may want to apply it, then cover with vet wrap so Calhoun doesn't lick it off and/or get it all over the place. It is great for drawing out splinters, thorns, and even larger objects. It can draw out a foreign object like a sliver of glass, a splinter or a thorn, in a day or less. It does not work on porcupine quills, which have barbs and will work themselves out in one direction only.
Ichthammol is also a disinfectant, so if the object has already come out but the irritated area is infected, it will limit the infection. Its great stuff. I frequently use it on myself on everything from splinters to pimples. It can cure a zit overnight!
My final thought is that you may have been hiking in ice and snow. Many coyote hounds get damage to their feet after extensive exposure to ice and snow, especially ones with sensitive skin and/or pink (rather than black) paw pads.Usually, you will see blood in the footprints of hounds with this kind of damage, but not always. Since Calhoun has sensitive skin, he may have mild frostbite or just foot irritation from a long hike on crusty snow. The remedy for this is to keep him off the snow for a few days, then limit his future exposure to ice and snow, either by limiting the duration of his walks on ice and snow, putting booties on him (many hounds will pull them off rather than tolerate this) or using a paw wax such as Musher's Secret to protect sensitive tissue--this is essentially the equivalent of putting Chapstick on your lips. I also use Musher's Secret whenever I will be walking my hounds along salty roads, which can be quite painfull to hounds.
I would definitely let Calhoun rest for a few days before any exploratory surgery, and get a second opinion from another vet. Foot surgery requires a delicate touch and is quite difficult to do without causing further damage.. Just my unmedical opinion, but I would consider that a last resort.

Danita Rafferty

1/28/2015 12:16:52 pm

Emily, thank you so much for your reply. I am fairly certain that Calhoun did not get into any chemicals, as we don't farm our property. It is strictly trails for horseback riding and hiking. Also, we had not had any snow or ice for at least a couple of weeks before he went lame. My gut tells me there is something in his foot that is trying to work its way out. I am definitely going to the feed store tomorrow to get Ichthammol. Interestingly, when I googled this issue yesterday, I noticed several comments from the UK about using a poultice to draw out foreign bodies from a dog's foot, but nobody in the US mentioned it. I am definitely going to try it before we go back to the vet. My husband and I are really against Calhoun having surgery again. I will let you know how things work out. Thanks again!

Laura

2/17/2015 12:43:08 am

Hi Beth. I recently adopted what I believe is a foxhound/lab mix. While he is a total, loving, sweetheart, I am having some trouble with him. He is about 18months old and I have had him for 3 months now. He learned sit in both verbal and hand signals in 10 minutes flat and retained it perfectly, so I KNOW he is intelligent. The two problems I really need to get corrected are 1. pulling me on the leash, and 2. he is VERY fearful of strangers. I work in a nursing home so he can come to work with me every day if he wants to, but he is SO SCARED of everyone. I mean, tail completely between the legs and tucked up on his belly, shaking, and sometimes growling & barking when someone comes into my office. He knows his command for not pulling, but it seems as though he thinks it's merely a trick to do for a second, and then he's back to being the engine on a freight train. A couple times he has made me fall and then he instantly runs to my side to make sure I'm okay, but we need to stop this behavior before I get hurt and then cannot walk him anymore. Do you have any suggestions?

Emily link

2/17/2015 02:41:08 am

Laura
Pulling on the leash is relatively easy to fix quickly; scared takes more time and effort to fix.
My first suggestion is to use a harness with the leash connection on the chest. This does not seem like it will work, but it does. Most hounds become much more responsive to a relatively gentle twitch on the leash when they are attached this way.
Part of the issue is that you want the dog to walk beside you, not in front of you. Once the dog gets in front, its harder to control. However, if you make the mistake of keeping the dog in front of you (I do this quite frequently), you still have way more control with this arrangement.
As an alternative, you can use an ordinary leash attached to the collar, but loop it once behind the front legs. This will both give you a shorter leash, which gives more control, and knock some wind out of him if he pulls too hard. For the second of these, its important to keep the loop around his chest, not let it slip back below his waist, especially on a male dog.
Please remember that a hound is apt to forget his manners if he gets a whiff of something he wants to chase, so be prepared for a sudden lurch forward if the neighbor's cat crosses your path, etc. The way I deal with this is to use a "tree tie lead," which has a floating ring on it, plus an extra snap hook on the handle. This allows you to wrap and secure the lead around the nearest tree, parking meter, pole, or other firmly anchored upright, and transfer the pressure from your shoulder to the pole. These leads are available at hunting supply stores or can be simulated by using a mountain climber's carabiner on the handle of an ordinary leash.

Extreme shyness is probably the result of inadequate socialization when a pup, but some hounds are born with shy personalities, and some become shy because they lived in abusive homes. Your boy may remain shy, but may get over it. You may want to work with a good behaviorist locally on this.
The usual strategy is to gradually expose the dog to more and more people, many of whom offer treats, petting, etc. However, its important than you observe closely to see what factors may make your particular dog extra nervous. Some have strong gender preferences, are afraid of hats, uniforms, and all sorts of other irrational factors. Some dogs get defensive around strangers in a way that is easy to mistake for aggression. These will bark excitedly and nip to back strangers off, creating yet another problem. These dogs will bite, so they must be handled very cautiously, and introduced to strangers good with dogs, with enough sense to back off at the first sign of unease.
Part of the goal here is to teach the dog to look to you for signals about how to treat the stranger. You need to signal leadership here, not become fearful of how the dog will behave, which the dog will take to mean its his responsibility to guard you from strangers. This is not easy, which is why I suggest you work with a good behaviorist.
I would be careful about exposing him to nursing home patients if he is not reliable with strangers, because people with physical impairments, or who are senile, may seem especially frightening to him. The same goes for small children. You want to expose him to calm adults who aren't inclined to shout suddenly, totter, or otherwise do unexpected things. If you want to keep him in your office at the nursing home, I would suggest you give him a crate or other 'safe" space, and keep him where you are between him and your visitors. If he sounds panicked, put a hand on him and massage gently until he calms down. Keep notes on how he behaves with each visitor, to see if there are patterns when he is more anxious--times of the da, worried about people being too near his toys, etc. A lot of anxious dogs are calmed by chew toys.
Let us know how he is progressing!

Leigh Ann

5/1/2015 06:55:19 pm

My daughter found a very malnourished young adult female Foxhound in Muskingum County, Ohio on 4/28/15. She was sitting in the middle of the road, cold and frightened. We are fostering her in the Columbus area, and have contacted dozens of agencies and authorities in an effort to find her owner to no avail. This is an extremely friendly and personable dog, but very much a hound - LOL. She has also been reported to every lost pet agency we can locate. We recently rescued a 10-12 year old German Shepherd with very serious health issues, and are committed to her comfort and care. Unfortunately, our vet does not want the GS to have too much excitement or activity due to on-going medical treatment. The Foxhound gets along well with our dogs and cats, but does create too much energy for the older dog. The Foxhound is not destructive in the home, and is crate trained. Other than being leash broke, however, she does not appear to have any other formal training. My friend who is an AKC official, believes this is a purebred Foxhound. She is very structurally correct and well balanced. If anyone on this blog can assist us with her placement with someone who understands hounds and hound behavior please let us know. I will not surrender her to a "kill" shelter, and do not wish her to be in a volatile situation with multiple fosters or re-homing situations. Thank you.

Emily link

5/2/2015 06:46:18 am

Leigh Ann
Bless you for taking in this orphan. We may be able to assist you in getting this hound back to her owners. Please send a picture to info@coonhoundcompanions.com as well as the date and location where she was picked up, and I will crosspost her on hunting boards, and our mounted foxhound expert will see if she resembles any of the known well-defined foxhound packs. Most hunters want their hounds back, but look in different places than pet owners do. If we can't find where she came from, we may be able to help you place her--even though we are not a rescue, we have lots of contacts in the rescue world.
Emily

Anne Sargent

9/30/2015 04:58:40 pm

Beth,
Can we speak by phone? I don't know blogging
and my situation is complicated. I need dialogue.
Thank you for your outreach.
-Anne

Beth

10/2/2015 11:34:28 am

Hi, Anne. Send me your phone no. by email and I'll give you a call.

bgyorgy@vabb.com

Thanks.

Irene Ward link

11/18/2015 08:55:23 am

This is incredibly helpful. While my rescue (8 month old American Foxhound and possibly Pointer mix) was never trained as a hunting dog, he definitely hits the mark with most of the characteristics you've described. In particular, the instantaneous changes in energy from calm to excited and his strength and determination when catching a scent. I'm also happy to hear you have an electric fence. We plan to train him immediately on that, as well.

Can you tell me if you offer any rewards when he is on the scent on you command "Leave it"? I'd like to make the correlation and stop using the word "STOP" at this behavior. He has knocked me off my feet once and he's not yet done growing so I need to nip this in the bud.

Susie Seelbach

11/30/2015 04:47:39 pm

I rescued a Foxhound from traffic 3 days ago. Finally reconstructed his background today. The owner lives 210 miles from here and does not want him back. No further information offered. The dog is amazingly beautiful, very calm, affectionate and appears healthy. Nothing makes sense regarding his homeless status. I have 3 dogs and 3 cats and can not add to my family. Are there Foxhound rescues in SC or GA? I will transport him. He is safe with me, but deserves a forever home. He' s very nice boy!

Jackie

12/20/2015 05:58:25 pm

Hi everyone! This site has been amazingly helpful and I understand is for foxhounds, but everyone seems so knowledgeable I couldn't help but comment on the hopes you all can help me. My family adopted a black and tan, 2 years old from a local kill shelter. He taught us all so much about love and stole our hearts. We lived in 30 acres in the country and had Hunter for a few years....I can't explain the love and appreciation we now have for hounds, but know with you all you just 'get it'. My husband and I both had labs growing up and unfortunately made a huge mistake- we assumed Hounds were just like other breeds. Hunter was an inside dog, never allowed off the leash outside, etc. We purchased him a large kennel for his bathroom breaks and I would put him in to do his business when I picked our little ones up from school. 30 minutes rips. That's all it took for me to lose my best friend..because I did not research the breed , Hunter is dead. He jumped the kennel and caught a scent. We search,notified animal control, shelters, local rescues, had volunteers out, etc. 4 days later he was found almost right beside our house- he had been heading back home. He was hit by the train. I think we all lost our minds a little that day.

I said all this to say, a year and a half later and thinking about him takes my breath and makes me cry. In the last year and a half Ive volunteered sporadically at local county shelters to get what my husband calls my "hound fix", and two days ago he surprised me with a true miracle named "Dilly".

What we know about our girl: The vet that we took her to for spaying estimates she is around 5 years old, and a pure bred plott hound. When she was seized by shelter staff she had been used as a breeder for a puppy mill. One nipple was torn nearly off ( but stiched with fishing twine...) and the others resembled chewed gum. Her tail has been broken in two places and she is missing several teeth. She was severely dehydrated. Dilly is fully vetted at this point, fully housebroken, and has an amazing temperament. She shows no aggression, food, human, other animals, etc. She is a true fighter and has the sweetest spirit. The only time she bays is when we leave her or yesterday when I took her hiking and she heard a bird chirp. She almost drug me up the tree! Anyway, our questions to you all would be how to even start training her? Everything we have read says give it time and build trust, which we will obviously do, but she seems to have such a total disinterest in anything other than sleeping. If we leave the room she will follow us and when we crated her to go grocery shopping she started shaking so badly we were scared she was having a seizure. The vet said anxiety and we packed up her crate. She doesn't jump on the counters and won't even take food from our toddler if he drops it. The usual tips for teaching her "sit" aren't working at all...she just stares at me, sad. I am dedicating to giving this girl a great life and helping her leave her she'll, but any helpful insight on plott hounds, abused hounds, former puppy mill dogs, etc would be so helpful. I take Dilly to the park twice a day , tons of cuddles, and since she is our only let we really focus on comforting her and spending quality one on one time. We did contact a local trainer today and are going to take Dilly to meet her after the holidays so I'm sure that will help. I know foxhounds are the subject here but you all seem so knowledgeable and to genuinly love hounds...any help is appreciated.

No other pets.
Great with our small children.
Wonderful temperament.
Around 5 years old and very malnourished, refuses to eat dog food but will eat "people food". ONLY if comforted while doing so and told it's okay.
We have attempted some suggested scent games and she looks at us with complete disinterest. Same with any type of training attempts. We have fostered in the past, usually very successfully but stopped after we lost Hunter. Hounds are a whole new ballgame! Any advice on bonding with her would be appreciated...she is so emotionally distant and as mentioned won't play scent games, very leary outdoors, etc. Thanks everyone and Merry Christmas.

Lauren

12/21/2015 07:34:26 am

Hi Jackie,

I don't know how much advice I can offer, but certainly encouragement. I too have adopted/fostered many dogs in the past. Typically of the lab or german sheppard mix varieties. When we adopted Rufus (our 4+ year old lemon fox hound) we were originally told by the shelter that he probably was half yellow lab and that was why he was that color. That was DEFINITELY not the case and there we were with a hound dog and no idea how to work with him. Rufus was also extremely standoffish, wouldn't eat, scared of any loud or unexpected noises, wouldn't play etc.

We too had no idea how to bond with him or make him feel safe and happy. Like you said, the training and treats I was familiar with did nothing to stimulate him. We had him for about 3 months before the "bonding" really started to make much progress. He was very intelligent and the only time we felt like he was really happy in the beginning was when we were giving him work to do. It also helped with his fears and anxiety in the beginning as well as it kept his mind occupied.

We booked private training sessions with a trainer experienced in hound work and through our training with the trainer Rufus began to bond with us.Hounds love to please their masters and Rufus really relied on us giving him clear directions and setting clear rules so that he understood what we wanted from him. Once we understood that he was much more at ease.

We did not ask much of him in those first months and tried to let him set the pace for bonding. We did things like make him go for walks but ask for commands like sit and down when the garbage truck came by or something else that would normally have him running away in fear. He proffered to have his pet beds and spaces to go be alone in when he felt stressed so we filled our house with pet beds and crates but let him dictate when he would go where in them. He was not destructive and like your pup would not take food or counter surf so we had that luxury. It sounds like you could do the same.

Bonding progress felt super slow and we did not notice much improvement over those first months, but then one day something just clicked for him. Rather than slow bonding development it was a sudden change where he basically decided "these guys are ok and I trust them" and we have made most of our progress that way. About every 3 months or so we would see a dramatic positive change in his trust and affection.

We have had him just under 2 years now and have taught him to enjoy the outdoors and play with other dogs at the dog park (he did not understand play until the other dogs showed him and this took about 6 months). We eventually found treats he really couldn't resist, but to this day if we are working outdoors he will not take treats for doing the work. The reward for him is praise and getting to do more work. The busier he is, the happier. It also helped to build his appetite and help him eat more. I would say it took 2 months before he ate regular meals, and then another 6 months after that to stop fasting every time he got frightened.

I have had to have more patience with this dog than any other dog I have ever cared for, but the rewards have been well worth it. Rufus will now snuggle on the couch (although it is still usually only for 10 minutes or so), play, eat, and show tenderness openly. I am sure you will get there. I think if you have the opportunity to find a hound experienced trainer, it will teach her and you how to work together and bond.

I hope this helps! It sounds like you are off to a good start even if you feel like you are not making the progress you would like. Just keep her routine stable and do what you can to help her feel safe. Your house is probably the first safe place she has ever been and it takes them a while to really believe that. Keep me posted on your progress! :)

Jackie

12/21/2015 06:35:49 pm

Lauren,

Thanks so much for the quick reply and positive encouragement. Today was the perfect day- we took Dilly to the vet for a check up, shots, spay and to really find out what we could about her health. She tested positive for Lyme's disease. The vet recommended antibiotics and pain medication, although I'm happy to say her kidneys ( in our vets words ) "look beautiful". We did opt for 30 days worth of antibiotics and the vet went ahead with the spay. I have to be honest here and say we have never had an animal return home in this shape. She had trouble standing afterwards and smelled very...offensively. The vets office was closed and I can only assume it's because she was in heat at the time. We weren't notified of this. The vet did say that she looks great otherwise, which I'm not sure I agree with, but I am grateful they caught the Lyme disease when her blood work was done. She is asleep now and we are all praying for her. Out fosters wether male or female have never came home in this shape. I know this girl is a fighter and I know she is surrounded by love, but I'm at a loss as to how to proceed. The vet said even after antibiotics her symptoms will return and she will need more antibiotics. We are all emotionally exhausted and just trying to do our best to keep her comfortable. Our labs both bounced back hours after spay/neuter surgery so to see her unable to even stand plus the strange odor (I've never had a dog in heat before, is this normal?!) is alarming. We moved a few months ago, and this isn't our regular vet. I think it's time for a trip "back home"....ugh. Loving a dog is painful! Thanks again for the encouragement ...we will continue to work with Dilly and hope for the best.

Emily link

12/21/2015 09:38:43 pm

Jackie
This particular blog post is about foxhounds, but the site is Coonhound & Foxhound Companions, so you've come to the right place. This particular blog is about foxhounds, but we know about coonhounds too, and there's not a huge difference--they both came from the same ancestors.
First: the immediate problem with the foul odor after the spay doesn't sound right. If the odor is more rotten smelling than medicinal, I'd try to find another vet to take her to for follow up right away. Also, try to wash her gently and make sure she didn't just soil herself while recovering from surgery. You want to keep the area near the incision clean. If she is taking antibiotics for the Lyme disease, they will probably work on other infections, but it may not be right for whatever is the odiferous problem. Is the odor coming from the incision? A female in heat may smell a little strong to a human, but it isn't that noticeable. Coonhounds are prone to yeast infections in the ears, so check to make sure the odor isn't coming from there.
Most vets prefer to treat one thing at a time, and most prefer to operate after the cycle has completed, although yours may have been in a rush because of the holidays or something like that. I'd ask around for other vets.
You don't say where you live, but Plott hounds are often used for bear or hog hunting as well as raccoon hunting. They can be very gritty dogs when working. Dilly sounds like she was a working dog, not a pet. At five years, it may take her a little while to warm up to a life of leisure, but chances are good she'll become affectionate when she knows you appreciate that--just be sure you act delighted when she shows any signs of interest in her humans.
I wouldn't fold up the crate just yet. Just leave it in a room where there's human activity, with the door open. Drape a sheet or .other lightweight cloth over it to make it cosy and comforting. Put a dirty t-shirt with scent from family members in there along with plenty of "nesting" material--old towels, or other easily rearranged washable rags. Don't close the ;latch until well after she starts going in as a safe retreat, and then go about it gradually, first closing the door halfway, then a little more, and then closing but not latching, etc. Try to avoid training her to shiver and act frightened to get attention from you. This is very difficult, but my very well fed spoiled hounds quickly learned to shiver when tied in front of the bakery to get treats from strangers and became very successful beggars. Even the homeless guy would share his roll with them!
When choosing a trainer, make sure its someone who has worked with hounds before, and likes them. Some trainers come with ridiculous prejudices against hounds, and they will be useless. The trainer doesn't need experience with a coonhound--an experienced beagle trainer who likes beagles will be just fine. As you have seen, hounds appreciate someone who will admire their scenting abilities. They bore easily and don't like too much repetition. Most are happy to work for praise, but once she gets used to her new diet, she may work for hotdog pieces. My favorite training treat is freeze dried lamb lungs available at any pet food store. The leading brand is Merrick, but there are others.
Finding a trainer and doing any job where you are partners will help her gain respect for you. If she is used to hunting, she may have been fed a diet of raccoon meat, or whatever spare scraps were handy, or just the same Old Roy dog food day in and day out. Its very rare for a hound to starve itself to death. When she recovers her health, let her skip a meal if she wants to, but if she gets hungry enough, a typical hound will eat just about anything. After a couple of weeks, she may even figure out how to open the fridge and help herself. This is just a matter of adjusting to her new home. Its not unusual for that to take several weeks or even several months.Being overindulgent at the beginning will turn her into a picky eater.
Most working hounds have never even seen a toy, so it takes them awhile to figure that out. She will eventually. If you can take her to a dog park where other dogs are playing with toys, she may seem to ignore them and just sniff the perimeter, but she will learn more quickly.
When she got interested in that tree, it probably wasn't the chirping bird. There may have been a raccoon there the night before, or squirrels in it. Hounds are motivated to check out trees primarily by scent. Next time she does that, stop, look around the tree to see if you can find the quarry, praise he if you see something, and then lead her away. She'll think you are a promising hunting partner and pay more attention to you in other contexts!
Mostly what she needs from you right now is clear indications of what behaviors you like and what you don't like. Gentle, consistent praise or reprimand will be sufficient for her to learn.
My other concern is that you understand just how good

Emily link

12/22/2015 07:37:45 pm

Given your sad experience with Hunter, I'm sure you are aware of what accomplished escape artists hounds can be. It took me several seasons to reinforce all the weak spots in my perimeter fence when I got my first coonhound. The fence that had kept in a Rhodesian Ridgeback was nowhere near tight enough for Rooster the redbone. He went over, under, squeezed through gates, climbed, leaped from boulders, etc. I spent his first winter here chasing him in nightgown, boots, and winter coat. Please equip Dilly with a name tag with phone number and a microchip right away.

Lauren

1/7/2016 09:56:39 am

How are things going with Dilly? Is she all healed up???

vicki

1/20/2016 03:05:40 pm

Hi - we recently lost our foxhound to cancer. I had her since 2008 as a rescue from the Katrina Hurricane overflow. I would like to have another one... but I can't find any. Is there somewhere where I can find another young foxhound?

Emily link

1/20/2016 09:21:27 pm

I'm sure one of us can help you find something suitable. Whereabouts are you?

Nancy

1/21/2016 12:55:02 pm

Hello! I am currently fostering a gorgeous, 9 month-old, female foxhound (Honey :). She is just a darling. She has made excellent strides and has blossomed into a gentle goofball! We do not have the type of property/environment that would best suit her long-term so, although we would love to add her to our family, it is my goal to help find a wonderful forever-home for her. I will be so appreciative of any assistance and/or suggestions that can be provided to me via this site. It has been a tremendous resource for me and I am so thankful to you all for that!
Sincerely,
Nancy

Emily link

1/21/2016 03:53:31 pm

Nancy
Whereabouts are you? Sounds like you and Vicki, just above you may be able to fulfull each others; wishes.

Nancy

1/22/2016 01:46:52 am

Emily, I am in North Carolina! I would love to hear from Vicki!

Emily link

1/23/2016 09:29:50 pm

Vicki
rsvp with an email and physical location. we have several potential leads for you.
or email me at emily.plishner@gmail.com

Matt

1/24/2016 10:42:59 pm

I have a 11 or 12 year old American foxhound, and I'm at a lost now with him. He was rescued almost 7 times when we got him, so he has some mental issues. More like anxiety issues, I can't keep him off my counters, everytime I get up he thinks he has to go out so I never know when he has to, and he is starting to growl when told to move off of a bed. I was in a horrible accident so I really can't walk him. I can't leave him unsupervised and what I'm asking is this going to get worst and if so is there a rescue that would take him. I don't want to put him down, but I might have to if I can't find him somewhere to go. Any help

Roger

1/29/2016 03:13:09 pm

I wish you luck finding a home, Matt. Sorry for your troubles. If I weren't 74 and already have two dogs, I'd take him for sure. My wife died a few months ago and I'm planning to move to the West Coast nearer kids. He's near the end of his life expectancy. I sure hope someone can take him for you and make his last years happy.

Jan

3/29/2016 02:02:57 pm

I'm so sory for your loss Roger and hope Matt finds a Forever home for his foxhound.

Roger

1/28/2016 02:45:16 pm

Adopted a 9 year-old Am. foxhound from humane soc. not knowing anything about the breed. She needed a home. I've had her almost a year. We walk 5 miles a day. (I'm ret., 74 yrs. old) We're in a routine. She needed consistency and patience. She has become a great pet and companion, she's obedient and respectful and is finally coming out of her shell. She came with issues. She and my 15 year old yellow lab mix have become great friends. I adore her. Don't get one if you're not going exercise it. This is essential.

roger

1/29/2016 03:08:20 pm

Here's a tidbit I forgot to tell you about Belle from my first post and you're not going to believe it. The second day Belle was with us, she got out and was gone for 4+ hours. SHE CAME BACK!! Guess she liked the cookin'!

Emily link

1/29/2016 04:58:31 pm

Roger, I'm not surprised that Bella came back. Most hounds will return to the spot where they parted company with their handler if they are able to. This is pretty much bred into them, although not all individuals have this trait. Typically, if a hound doesn't return before her hunter has to leave the area, an article with the human's scent on it can be placed where the hound was last seen, and the hound will wait at that spot until the human comes back to get it. I've depended on this trait more than once. Since Bella left home for her adventure, she came back home, but it would have worked just as well if you had let her loose in a park, gone off to fill the gas tank, then returned.to get her.
As for exercise, coonhounds need mental/nose exercise as much as physical exercise. They get bored easily, and will find their own puzzles to solve if left to their own devices. Chances are good it will figure out some attention getting behavior, like opening the refrigerator door, or finding the weak spots in the fence, or scattering the woodpile to get to the chipmunk family inside. Hunting, another dog sport, or scent games may limit the clever but naughty behavior.

Roger

1/29/2016 05:47:57 pm

Thanks! I guess I was surprised that this happened after only one day being with us. I thought she might head back to the Humane Soc. While I have you, she is rather reclusive, spending most of her time alone on my bed. She does spend early mornings with Sadie and me in our sun room until we go for our long sniffing walk in the park. Then, when we get back, she goes to the bedroom and stays, sleeping, until our afternoon walk. After that, she returns to the bed until her pee at about 8, then bed again until the next morning. I'd like her to spend more time with Sadie and me, but she seems happy with things as they are, so I don't force it. She and Sadie have become friends. Belle is very affectionate and freezes when I pet her and scratch her head, ears and neck. She's not foot shy, loves having her legs and her butt petted and stroked. She's such a sweet dog!

Carolina

3/25/2016 07:12:43 pm

Hello,

I have a rescued American foxhound who is about 2 1/2 years old and I have had him since he was about one year old. He has biten too seperate men in two seperate instances. I do think that he was abused in his prior life, although there is no way to know for sure. But he is extremely wary of most strangers, mostly men. And he does not like crowded spaces.
I was hoping you could provide some advice. He is a very sweet and dog truly my best friend.

I also have another foxhound/blue tick coonhound, female who I got about 6 months ago. She is very well behaved and her and the male foxhound are very close. I would appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks in advance.

Emily link

3/26/2016 09:14:54 am

Carolina
I have a rescued redbone mix that has similar problems to your foxhound.boy. You want to be very careful with a dog that has bitten because he can be a financial liability. You really don't want him biting again. Dogs with problems like this can get worse if you do nothing, so it is very important, do both work with a trainer/behaviorist and manage the dog carefully.
Consider getting a sturdy basket muzzle to use in situations where he could bite--when you have strangers at your house or are taking him out in public. Or, you can crate him when you have people over.
A lot of dogs with this kind of problem are massively insecure because they haven't been socialized properly as pups. It takes an enormous amount of work to get them past this kind of problem. Living with another, well-behaved dog is a big help, because poorly socialized dogs learn much more easily from other dogs they respect than they do from most people. If your male looks up to the older female, and she looks to you for behavioral cues, he will learn eventually, but it is important that he look to you and respect you as well. Its important for his entire human family to earn this dog's respect so he is totally comfortable that he can rely on you on any occasion.A lot of drill in basic obedience will help, with consistency critical.
My own pup tends to go into panic mode in situations that are not really a threat. Once he is panicked, not much gets through to him, so its important to anticipate situations that might panic him, and get him to focus before the situation gets out of control. Once panicked, mine will bite anything handy, including me, but he is more than happy to retreat to his crate for safety. If you have a big house, use multiple crates so he has a handy safe spot wherever he happens to be.
You can equip yourself with a loud whistle, use a variable strength shock collar, or find some other way to get his attention when he is first slipping into a panic. Mine is quite responsive to a gentle touch, but that can be dangerous if he is fully panicked, when a tap with a sturdy shoe on foot is a lot safer than a bare hand. In extreme cases, a "catch pole", like the ones dog control officers use, may be necessary. These are essentially a mop handle with a noose at the end for catching feral dogs. Trappers also use them to control live wild animals from a safe distance.
A lot of times these very fearful dogs are especially affectionate with the one or two humans they trust, so are very easy to love, but they can be quite dangerous and can really intrude on your social life with humans. Be extra cautious about letting the dog sleep with a human because they often wake up snapping until they figure out where they are. Mine will nap on my lap, but at night, he is closed in a crate so nothing startles him awake from a deep sleep.
Only you can determine whether the dog is really worth the cost to you. If worse comes to worst, don't let yourself feel guilty if you feel you must put him down. There are plenty of worthy dogs out there needing forever homes.

Roger

3/26/2016 03:43:52 am

Hi, Carolina, Understand I'm no expert. While my Belle gave no indication she'd bite a stranger, she was definitely fearful. Wouldn't go near another person. She even acted afraid of me for a long time. I've had her a year now, she goes to the park daily, has met a lot of dogs which she loves doing and now, when strangers put out their hand to welcome her, she doesn't cower, sniffs it and often allows the person to pet her.

So, I think it might be a socialization issue which will resolve over time. I've had a lot of dogs in my life but never one as cautious as Belle. Time, time, time. He'll come around. One thing for sure, you have to let a foxhound be a foxhound because there's no way they're going to be something they don't want to be. They're notoriously stubborn. Be consistent. And patient. Good luck.

Beth Gyorgy link

3/29/2016 01:52:43 pm

This post is in answer to Jan's questions about tattooing hounds and also to add to some points Lauren made.
Jan, where are you in Virginia? I live a bit south of Sperryville very close to Shenandoah National Park.
Mounted foxhunts tattoo to identify their hounds, usually in the left ear. Oftentimes it's the initials of the hunt club (for instance, Old Dominion Hounds would be ODH) and sometimes the initials plus the year the hound was born and then again some hunts will have the number of pups in that hound's litter! It's my impression, though, that this practice is waning w/the advent of many hunts using GPS and or tracking collars, a very good thing.
Did you find a tattooed hound in a shelter? If so and it's still around I can probably i.d. the hunt.
As far as numbers painted on the sides of the hounds, the only time this is done in mounted hunting is for performance trials. These are held w/multiple hunts - the one I rode in was 4 hunts. A huntsman from yet another hunt (not one of the four) hunts all the hounds. The participating hunts bring only a few hounds, by no means their entire packs and these are the best of their hounds in terms of the categories for which the hounds are judged, all pertaining to their hunting abilities. The numbers ensure the anonymity of the hounds.
In mounted foxhunting hounds are never turned out to just go and go as they please. They are under the control of the huntsman and his or her staff (also mounted and called whippers-in) who bracket the pack from a distance away. Now of course it happens that this isn't the case and that temporarily say a portion of the pack has gone off chasing yet another fox from the one being chased by the main part of the pack. The examples are endless. But the huntsman and the hounds are a team and he or she stays close to his or her pack.
Emily can speak to how individual hound hunters run their trials.
I have never heard of a hound traveling 200-300 miles - unless it was picked up by a vehicle. Perhaps out west where huge expanses of land are hunted and where they hunt coyote. Coyote run in a straight line and keep going and going. Huntsmen here are still hunting fox and will break their hounds off coyote because it's too dangerous to chase them - they'll cross highways and hounds can end up far away.
If you have any more questions please post again and thank you for your interest in the hounds.

Sherri Burrows

5/24/2016 02:44:44 pm

We just adopted a 10 month old male puppy from the shelter who they believe is a foxhound mix. He does look exactly like the photos I have seen and has many of the traits I have seen listed here. If he is a mix, it is with something very similar. Not realizing his breed and characteristics at the time of adoption, we adopted him to be a family pet and a daily running partner for my husband. We live in an apartment and needless to say he is having some issues adjusting from a shelter. Overall he is very sweet and even appears to be crate trained but not fully house trained. He adores my ten year old son and does fine with our smaller female dog. He already responds to his new name by looking up and will sit for treats. My problem is that he is nipping and chewing on everything. I understand 10 months is still a puppy, but he is huge and can be destructive. He often does what I have found is referred to as "air snapping" where he snaps his jaws so hard in the air you hear them click. However, he has never bitten anyone, just typical mouthing when he is petted. Should I be concerned about keeping him as an indoor family pet? He doesn't seem aggressive at all but he is very stubborn and doesn't respond to the normal "dog calls" that most dogs do. He tends to ignore us and do his own thing. If I command him to stop (such as if he is caught urinating in the house) he doesn't even look up! He is getting better on a leash but still zig zags in front of my husband. He also refuses to go willingly into his crate, but is fine once he is in there. We really like him and want to make this work out. Any suggestions for training a foxhound to have good house manners and to stop the snipping? Even if it appears to be play, it makes me nervous due to his size. At 10 months, he already weighs over 40 pounds! Thank you for any help you can offer. We really want to make this work out but I am concerned he will be unhappy as an inside dog, even with daily exercise. Thanks!

Sarah

6/22/2016 10:46:56 am

Hi Beth

I am in tough situation right now, with a foxhound mix that I have hade for two years. He came from SC, and they think he was part of a hunt because he came in with spray-painted numbers on his side. He is a big boy, 80lbs, and has some serious behavior issues that I am trying to work through (resource guarding, biting, startle reflex). I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you over the phone or via email if that is possible. I have scoured the internet looking for advice/help, and this website is the only thing that I have come across that is helpful! Thank you so much for your time in advance.

Lee-Anne

11/21/2016 06:55:15 pm

I adopted a foxhound from a rescue shelter in West Virginia seven years ago. She was scared and skittish at first -- she'd been found almost starving wandering the countryside, riddled with heartworm -- but she has ended up being the loveliest, sweetest dog, kind to children and other animals, patient, funny, and very, very intelligent. With old age has come aches and pains, and we have discovered via various X-rays for stiff joints in recent years that she is riddled with buckshot.

I am dying to know her story. Was she with a hunting pack and got lost? Was she used for deer-hunting? While on the run, did she get too close to someone's chicken coop and so was shot with buckshot? I would love to know her story. Anyone have any theories?

She won the lottery with me -- she lives in Canada now, gets spoiled rotten, has several comfortable beds, kitty cat companions and gets hugged and kissed all day, and no one is firing buckshot at her!

Liz Henderson

12/2/2016 08:33:33 am

Thanks for this very informative and helpful article. I just adopted a foxhound from a rescue group. He's my first hound, and since he was a stray we don't know much about him. Speculating that he's about 10. Up to now I've had almost exclusively retired German Shepherd guide dogs. He's so different it's been a learning experience for me! Gentle, sweet natured and not a mean bone in him. He's learning not to counter surf, and to leave things if asked. He does however, have periods of intense energy, whining and climbing on things, and I'm finding that he needs more exercise than I'm used to, or able to give. We take two long walks every day (rain or shine), and I let him have outdoor time in my back yard but he really seems to want and need more. I'm wondering if anyone has found games or toys that foxhounds really like. Tried a couple of the usual ones (like Kongs, tennis balls and things) without any interest on his part. I'm starting him in day care, but would like to do more for him at home. Has anyone found an outdoor game, like chasing stuff, that really appeals to the hounds? My backyard isn't large, but there's enough room to play some games. Thank you all!

Jennifer

4/26/2017 01:35:45 pm

We adopted Pru, an American Foxhound, about 3 months ago! Her and her brother/maybe son were dropped off at the shelter emergency yard during business hours and peeled wheels out of the parking lot without providing any information on the beautiful, and very scared dogs. Pru is believed to be 4 or 5 and has had at least one litter of puppies. She has since been spayed. Based on her look and demeanor it is strongly believed that she was abused/neglected!

We have certainly come a long way since bringing her home but we have some major concerns. She is amazing and quite motherly with our 3 young children. However, she is so afraid of adults. We are constantly working with her to overcome her fear of "tall" people. She is slowly getting there. She is incredibly intelligent and learns new commands within minutes. Training her has definitely helped with her building trust in us.

We do have 2 major concerns that have us questioning our ability to keep her! First, is that we are unable to get her housebroken. We send her outside every 60-90 minutes during the day. She will pee and poop and then within 10 minutes of being inside she will pee somewhere in the house. One day she was outside with us for several hours while we were tending to the garden and our chickens and 5 minutes after going inside the house she peed. We then spent a couple more hours outside and 10 minutes after being inside she peed again. She suffers from terrible separation anxiety and cannot EVER be left alone. If we go in the other room for any reason and she is left alone she will pee. She has peed on all three of children's beds at least once and has peed on our bed about 8 times now. We have put up a gate to stop her from going into the rooms but she can jump over the gate when she wants to get through. We do use a crate for her but she will injure herself trying to get out. We have had to reinforce the crate with zip ties but all it does is make her try harder to get out leading to her injuring herself. If she does manage to escape she has torn the house apart. Climbing built in shelves, pulling things all over the place including dirt from flower pots all over the furniture. We are usually always home and if we do go out it is never for more than 2-3 hours. We have 6 acres of land including 2 dog yards and if we leave her out there with no humans she will jump the fences. We have put her on a lead in the dog yard but she still tries to escape to the point, again, of injuring herself.

We are trying everything we can but not sure we can do it any more. I have 3 children under the age of 7 to look after and when Pru escapes I have to decide between leaving my 2 and 4 year old unsupervised while I chase the dog or to stand by and watch her run onto the main road (50 mph) and get hit. We are a complete loss! we love Pru so much but it also isn't fair to our children to not be able to play on the floor because the dog has soiled our entire living space.

Please please please, any advice?!?

Roger

4/26/2017 02:17:14 pm

Jennifer, I've had Belle 2 years now. Great pet and friend. I remember that both she and a Red Tick Coonhound we adopted peed and pooped in the house in the beginning, even though they were old dogs when I got them. This went on for some time. I didn't have the kids crawling on the floor you have. I understand your concern and I'm sorry.
Both dogs, I think, were anxious and only marking territory. It wasn't that they didn't get out enough.
I'm not an expert, but I encourage you to do exactly what you're doing, and when your hound finally feels comfortable, it will stop. I got a Hoover carpet cleaner machine and it got a lot of use in the beginning. Hounds are very smart and very sensitive and they want to please. Give her hugs and kisses and tell her she has to pee outside. She'll please you.

Emily link

4/27/2017 08:17:42 am

First, sometimes vets damage a female dog's urinary control when they spay the dog. Have a vet different from the one who spayed her check that out. Doesn't sound like that is the problem, but make sure. Might even just be a urinary infection. There are pills to reduce leakage.
However, it sounds more like she is marking territory. The first thing I'd try is to start the crate training over. Most dogs like their crates. Pru has learned to fight hers, so you need to start again with another crate..
Select a different model of crate and start over. Leave the new crate somewhere convenient in the house with the door open and a few treats and/or toys and/or dirty family t-shirts inside. She will soon take to going inside to investigate. Since she is shy, you may want to drape the crate with a lightweight cloth that will limit the view from outside to inside. Most shy dogs are uncomfortable being looked at.
Gradually start closing the door part way when she is inside. Don't close it all the way at first. She will test it coming and going for awhile. Let her get comfortable with that for a few days, closing the door further but still not latching it. Don't ever let her get to the point that she's desperate to get out, and don't use the new crate for unpleasant things like trips to the vet. Use the old crate for that.. Open the door again after a few minutes at first. After a week or so, you can latch the door for short periods of time-30 seconds at most at first. Leave it latched a little longer each time, but always open it at any signs of anxiety, like lip licking. Try not to let her get to the point where she is frantic before you open the door. Since she has separation anxiety, don't leave the room with her while the door is latched for a good while. Move around in the room making enough noise so that she knows that you are nearby.
Dogs with no history of problems learn to like being in their crate this way within a week or two. With her history it may take longer--maybe a month or two. You will have to be very diligent to keep her from getting anxious. Back up a step or two any time you notice her being unhappy about being in the crate. Soon she will be running to her crate for comfort whenever she is stressed. Once that happens, you can start putting her in the crate when you aren't there to supervise.
Meanwhile, you want to remove any trace of the smell of urine from the rest of the house. Wipe down hard surfaces with a dilute bleach solution. Change bedding. If you have other animals, keep their bedding clean. If she's been peeing on furniture, get some Nature's Miracle enzyme cleaner from the pet store and use that to neutralize smells. On carpets or fabric covered furniture, sprinkle with baking soda, then vacuum up several hours later. Use mousetraps anywhere you've had a rodent problem, etc.
Taking her out after she's peed won't help much. You want to take her out after she drinks. You can manipulate her water access. Take her out 15-20 minutes after she drinks. You can put a bell near her water bowl to alert you to the fact that she is drinking.
As a last ditch thought, spring is here. Set up a comfortable pen for her, with shade and/or a doghouse, outdoors. In decent weather, she can get used to being around humans outdoors where her housebreaking issues present less of a problem.
Another issue for many dogs that have never lived indoors is that they don't know how to ask to be let out. A bell on the doorknob may help. It will ring automatically when you let her out, and she will soon associate the bell with the door opening and ring it when she wants the door open.
When I lived in Brooklyn NY, we would housebreak our dogs by putting a bell on the doorknob and newspaper down in front of the door. We soon had them paper trained, which helps a whole lot with hygiene issues. Getting the dogs to wait until we had gathered all the keys and coats and wallets associated with going out in the city took longer!
Good luck, and feel free to email me at emily.plishner@gmail.com for more tips and encouragement.

Jennifer

4/27/2017 08:45:46 am

Emily, thank you for taking the time to help me! We have tried every single one of your suggestions. She is completely comfortable in her crate as long as we are home or in the room with her. The minute we leave, even if the kids are sleeping and go into the bathroom to take a shower, she goes nuts! If I lock her in the crate (which we have tried 3 different ones) she will bark like she is being beaten and she will do whatever it takes to get out. She will scratch at furniture, yank curtains off the wall. If we put the crate away from everything she still manages to move to get to anything she can get close to. If I leave her out the crate she pees all over the place and tears the house apart.

As far as a secure place for her outside, again, if she is by herself she freaks out! She has several broken nails and has made herself bleed trying to escape from places. She has nearly choked herself in attempts to get away.

The vet even suggested Solequin to help ease her anxiety but it has done nothing despite being on it for over 2 months. I am at a loss!

Amy

11/5/2017 07:34:48 am

I’m so sorry you are going through this it sounds like our Kadi. We had to fix every door in the house, because she tried to scratch through it
Kenneling her she too acted like she was dying if we were not around
Introducing a companion & just letting her know she was secure and a lot of time & patience & she got past her issues
She would jump our 6 foot privacy fence as well
We finally build an indoor outdoor heated air-conditioned area with a covered run attached on cement
Unfortunately she just passed away yesterday but up to that point she has adapted adjusted and was a happy girl

Roger

4/26/2017 02:37:20 pm

Jennifer, a couple more things: Belle was afraid of strangers too, in the beginning. I walk her 5 miles a day--in the city--people love and want to meet her, she meets and loves other dogs, and has overcome much of her shyness she had in the beginning. She has a "cookie route" she like to follow.
We're in a one bedroom apt now, having moved to the city since my wife died, and Belle has adjusted to city and apartment life far better and faster than I. At first, she did some damage to the paint on the door when I left her by herself. Now, I tell her I'll be right back and I've had no reports that she fusses when I'm gone for two or three hours, the damage hasn't continued, and she seems comfortable when I walk back in. She thrives on routine.
Again, good luck! Patience! It'll work out.
I'm in Portland, OR and everyone has dogs here. But, I've only met a few hounds, and I can tell you, hound owners love their hounds!

Jennifer

4/27/2017 08:32:48 am

Roger, thanks for your input! We live in the middle of farmland so unfortunately we are not in a situation to bring her for walks. We do take advantage of the farm supply store since she is allowed in there. We bring her there whenever we can and she does amazing. The bigger issue with strangers are the ones who come to our home. She freaks out! We have everyone who comes in essentially ignore her at first until she calms down enough and then they will sit down until she comes to them. We gen have them give her a treat and a reaffirming pet and "good girl"! It seems to work in the short term but the truth is she is still very wary of my husband and I. It is like she forgets who we are for a few minutes. Thank you for the reassurance that it will someday get better!

Emily link

4/27/2017 09:14:31 am

Jennifer
don't do anything that triggers her. once freaked out, she is not in a state to learn. if she likes company, try leaving a radio or tv on. try wrapping her in a blanket or towel. if you have other animals, give her a "pet" for company--another dog, for instance. maybe she likes your chickens. put her near them.
try to find someplace she's comfortable alone. I have a problem rescue dog who is calm in his truck, so we put him in the cab of the truck when we have visitors. He'll go nuts if someone walks past, but is ok in there alone.
those torn nails are painful. try to keep her nails clipped so she can't break them readily.
you may want to practice putting a basket muzzle on her. don't do it up at first, just put a treat inside and let her put her face in. When she's used to that, start fussing with the buckle, but don't actually do it up. If she starts trying to pull it off, immediately remove it. Took about two weeks to teach my crazy rescue to run and plunge his face in when he saw the muzzle. I don't leave it on much, but he can't shred things when he's wearing it. Excellent safety measure around visitors.
Most scent hounds will go nuts around scents they want to hunt. Try to train her to focus on certain scents and ignore others. If she likes your kids, I'd start by putting bedding or dirty laundry that smells like them in her crate.
i'd focus on praising her whenever she's calm. if she doesn't like enclosed spaces, try a zip line outdoors. that way she can run back and forth. at first, sit near her or let the kids play near her, but just out of reach.

Amy

11/5/2017 07:26:52 am

Reading this in anticipation of some day adopting another fox hound. We just lost our beautiful
Girl yesterday. She swiped a T bone the week of October 9th & things just sent down hill from there . Less eating not keeping anything down
X-rays, ultrasound, bloodwork sent to Texas A&M many different medications tried, Followed by exploratory surgery. She crashed about 24 hours after surgery. I’m beyond heart broken. Poor little thing I miss her terribly she had such a wonderful personality, she had gotten past all of her quirkiness, her separation anxiety, and everything else that she brought from the shelter . She was happy & very loved. My other rescues miss her too I can tell
What a wonderful girl we lost

Jerry Dunham link

11/5/2017 10:05:34 am

I'm very sorry for your loss. It never gets any easier. Ours are so much a part of our family that's it's difficult to imagine a dogless home.

From your mention of Texas A&M, I assume you are in Texas. If you come to the point of wanting to adopt another hound, feel free to contact me at jdunham@texas.net. I run the Tejas Coonhound Rescue Network, which connects all of the rescue groups that regularly rescue Bloodhounds/foxhounds/coonhounds in Texas. We're always glad to help another hound lover.

Amber

11/5/2017 05:57:36 pm

Thank you for your information. We just lost our lab Chow mix of 15 years last month I was so sad and that a gentleman from work gave me one of his hunting foxhound puppies. He is now 8 weeks and he is such a character.

Roseanne Waterstraat link

4/1/2018 08:32:51 am

Thank you for all the info it has helped me with my rescued Foxhound. We live on a 2 acre Home on the country upstate NY. My 1.5 yr old FH pulled food off our counter and my mother tried to grab the food while he was eating it she was worried he would swallow glass and he bit her. A big scratch but a small bite. Last night the dog was sleeping and my mom went to grab a pillow next to him and he looked like he would bite her but he didn’t. I am so upset the dog is far from aggressive but I am not sure if the dog is acting normal. We rescued him from our vet who had him cause originally owners let him run loose he got hit by a car and broke his leg. Owners couldn’t afford the vet bills and the dog was not allowed in the house. He is a handful got loose twice in the last month and is a large dog for my 25 pound schnauzer. Any comments would help. Because my mom is 90 not sure the dog is ok to have. Thank yiu

Roger

4/1/2018 10:45:37 am

I think you might want to take this up with a pro of some sort. Obviously you can't endanger family members.
You've invested a lot of money and emotion in your FH and I can see why you're concerned. What has happened so far doesn't sound like aggression and that's good. Plus, it seems you haven't had him/her long. I don't think Fox Hounds are normally aggressive toward people. My FH loves to meet other dogs and has never bared a tooth, ever, to another dog. They sniff and then she moves on to something else. I just rescued a kitty out of a nearby state park and Belle has accepted the cat into our house without issue.
Your FH has found the right human to live with and I hope it works out. I'd say, if there's no chance of biting, maybe just some more of what you're doing and your FH will settle in comfortably. Good luck!!
I might add, my FH is not touchy feely. I know she loves and depends on me but is far from demonstrative with her feelings. She lies near me staring when she wants food or to go outside, but is otherwise in another room.

Emily link

4/1/2018 02:32:46 pm

You're going to have to work hard to get this under control. Obviously, your frail mom is more important than your new pet, so only you can decide when to give up on the hound, and you shouldn't wait until someone is hospitalized.
Nonetheless, this does sound like a problem than can be worked out, but your mom will have to earn the hound's respect. My first suggestion is to go with your mom and the hound to any basic obedience course handy. Let your mom handle the dog at the class, but be ready to step in as backup if strength is required to keep her under control. The basic problem here sounds like the dog doesn't know how to live in a house, and has to learn that all humans come before all dogs when indoors. Resources, like pillows and food, belong to the humans, not the dogs. She will probably catch on pretty quickly, but until then all the humans will have to be very self-aware.
You want the hound to learn to "DROP IT" on command, so you don't have to physically wrestle things away from her. The easiest way to teach the command is to offer the hound another valuable object in exchange, like a dog biscuit or a toy. You may also want to employ a squirt bottle to get the dog's attention when it is greedily devouring the human food. [You should keep all human food out of reach to the extent you can. My hounds will still grab an opportunity to grab my toast while I'm getting milk for my coffee, but won't argue if I grab it back.] And, assuming your mother isn't senile, make sure she understands that nothing is worth compromising her safety over, even if the dog is devouring the delectable steaks for the humans' dinner. If the dog growls when she tries to take the steaks away, she needs a distraction--squirt bottle, loud whistle, water bowl dumped on the dog's head--to redirect the dog's attention.
This sounds like a generic dog issue, rather than a hound-specific issue, so you should be able to find a trainer qualified to help. Ask the vet who placed the hound with your for recommendations.

Jennifer Leone

9/16/2019 06:28:06 pm

Greetings! Not sure if this blog is still maintained but worth a try asking for any contact info or connections for adopting an Am. Foxhound... We lost our 13 year old Foxhound in August to cancer and what we know for sure is our home is not a home without a Foxhound! Our Gabby was a big, beautiful, goofy, lovable, often stubborn, single-minded and oh so vocal girl, and we loved every bit of her. We realize now our good fortune in finding her as a young adult at Watauga Humane Society in 2009. Currently we live in Central North Carolina, about an hour west of Raleigh with 3 dogs, 8 acres, a fenced yard, in an area very suitable for long walks and in a home that is maintained for the comfort and convenience of the dogs! Thank you in advance for any info.
Kind Regards, Jennifer Leone

Barb Hurley

8/9/2020 01:58:33 pm

Hi Jennifer,
I just came across your post, I see it’s almost a year old but was wondering if you ever adopted another American Foxhound? If you are still looking I adopted a 2-3 year old from the Nash Co. Animal Shelter in April, she was in bad shape, days from being euthanized. She is the sweetest thing but my 83 year old mother lives with us and has recently been diagnosed with arthritis in her back. We have had a few close calls with Wendy, our rescue, almost knocking her over now my mom is nervous around her. I had her DNA done out of curiosity, she is 100% American Foxhound. I live in Wake Forest just outside of Raleigh. If you are still looking let me know, I’ll be happy to talk to you further.

Jennifer Leone

8/11/2020 07:40:36 pm

Hi Barb,
Sorry to just now be responding to your post...Thank you for reaching out. How wonderful you rescued Wendy, but I know it can't be easy risking your mom's health right now. To answer your question, we did adopt a Foxhound in December after connecting with an adoption program that places hounds from hunts in Virginia, and Gussie Rose quickly became an adored member of the family. Unfortunately (big sigh) we are at capacity with 4 dogs but I'm sure Wendy is something special. Keep me posted.

roger

9/16/2019 06:40:02 pm

Google:
American Foxhound Rescue
American Foxhounds for sale NC
Your humane society
Use the internet.
Bound to find a good AFH.
Good luck!
Sorry about Gabby. I've been there.

Jackie Kaiser

12/13/2020 07:33:57 am

Good morning: Can you lead me to a rescue group here in the Northern Neck of Va. So many abandoned dogs here...make me ill to think of those poor pups. One in particular needs attention. Any help would be appreciated.

Emily

12/13/2020 09:41:07 am

There's a list of known coonhound and foxhound rescues elsewhere on this site here: https://www.coonhoundcompanions.com/rescue-links.html

don bragg

4/12/2021 09:20:35 am

I loved the information and comments on your site. I too have a wonderful Fox Hounds His name is Mr Lemon (he is a lemon and white hound). He is almost 8 years old now. He was a deer hound before we got but he is wonderful and has the best personality possible..... loves other dogs and children! The only question I have is he is so afraid of loud noises. Thunder, laud bangs of any kind etc. any suggestions?

Emily S Plishner

4/12/2021 10:42:01 am

Love the name!
Have you tried a thunder shirt? This is an elasticized tube that fits tightly. It is helpful for many. Kind of like a hug.
Also, many will ignore loud noises that frighten them if their nose is seriously engaged, as in hunting. A game of hide and seek with treats during a thunderstorm may keep him distracted.

Deedee Wilson

2/15/2022 10:56:19 am

I have a 10 month old red foxhound who we rescued from the humane society. He is neutered and a great pup. We have 3 chihuahua/rat terrier mixes in the home and they are not getting along with him. I do not want to take him back to the pound and I am hoping to find someone to adopt him that has more room for him to run and grow, possibly with another foxhound or hunting dog to be friends with. He is very friendly, always wanting to play, the little dogs want nothing to do with him.

Pasty

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