Foxhound in an urban environment?

[Anonymous]

OP, some of your troubles are definitely breed related. Hounds were bred to be relatively independent hunters that follow their nose. You are seeing that manifest in not needing to be next to you at all times, seeking out snacks anywhere they exist, etc.

Harness this for good though! Instead of trying to wear out a dog who was bred to run and hunt for miles with a few walks, tire out her brain.

Easy fixes:
Food is never given in a bowl. Kibble can be put in food dispensing toys (kong wobbler, snoop, twist n treat), tossed on the grass in the backyard for her to "forage", or hidden around the living room on a rainy day and taught the command "find it".

Moderately intensive fixes:
Use her daily allotment of kibble to train her using "shaping" methods. Google 101 things to do in a box. Hounds are super food motivated, use that to your advantage.

Bigger commitment:
Sign up for nosework classes! I don't know where you're located, but you can look up certified instructors here: https://education.k9nosework.com/findinstructor If they are through a facility, they probably offer classes. You will build a bond with your dog by doing a fun activity, your dog will tire her brain out, and you'll learn skills you can practice at home. If you like it, it's a gateway to 100000 other dog sports that require a bit more commitment (agility, disc, flyball) or ones that require a drive to get to (dock diving, coursing, tracking).

Good luck. I think a lot of people are overwhelmed by their first dog. Next time you'll know to search for specific traits when seeking out a breed or mix, because you'll know what's important to you. You just don't know until you experience it sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also have a three year old hound/hunting dog. He was bred as a hunting dog and then abandoned at one, when we adopted him. He has SO MUCH ENERGY. So much. He needs to run 3-5 miles, get strenuous walks, and play with other dogs. When he does he is a wonderful family dog - affectionate, calm in the house, and well-behaved. But he needs a lot of exercise. A LOT.

If you adopted this dog as a puppy, the problems you cite are on you, not on the breed. Get yourself a good trainer and invest in training now.

Same. I have two hounds, one a failed hunting dog that was bred for that purpose. He has an insane amount of energy. Does your dog like to chew on bones? That tires mine out. I use the filled bones and he’s obsessed with them.

Can you put her in nosework classes? These dogs need a job and love to sniff. Also, how about doggy daycare?

Also, can you describe the food aggression? Mine has what appears to be food aggression at times but he just gets so excited to eat and will snatch food. It’s been a uphill battle. Hounds are food-obsessed and literally think about it all day long. You have to be SO careful to keep food out of sight at all times.

[Anonymous]

Agree that your dog needs a lot more exercise. When high energy dogs do not get enough exercise, they become destructive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why it drives me up a wall when people who've never had dogs convince themselves they need a puppy instead of adopting an adult dog. You had no idea what you were doing, didn't train/socialize the dog, and are now looking for an excuse to dump it back at a shelter.

A tired dog is a good dog. Your "tons of" walks aren't enough. It has "too much energy" for dog parks? That's what dog parks are for!

Dog parks are a big risk because many owners do not train their dogs well. The majority of them have zero recall and ignore their owners.

This is where doggy daycare is great. The dogs are screened and supervised so you don't have as many issues with aggression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for some of the helpful advice above. I realize that some of the unhelpful kind that has come in may have been because I did not clarify something: we are not looking to rehome this dog. I am looking for other people who may have had had this particular type of hound dog, in an urban environment, where it requires a tremendous amount of energy to make it "chill" knowing that we are a 'must leash' community and dog parks are not an option for us due to poor behavior in most dog parks near me. Again, looking for ideas to try. We adopted a puppy during COVID that they told us was a mixed hound. We had no idea until the DNA test it was this type and would be this large and energetic. Trying to figure out how to give it a best life.

You can get a long 30' training leash and see if you can get your dog to chase a toy in an open area or field. This wears our houd-mix puppy out. She's not great about retrieving, but loves the initial chase. Running is awesome for her.

For walks, we do three at day: before work, after work and before bed. They add up to a minimum of 3-4 miles. We try to make one be on a trail so she gets to sniff.

We also have a toddler tunnel from Ikea and do mock agility training. (She's just a puppy so not old enough for anything formal.) She loves running through and jumping over the tunnel on command. She'll weave between our legs. Roll over. Spin in circles left and right. Sit pretty. Crawl. And other fun commands. This work wears out her brain.

We also do Kongs, filled bones and bully sticks so she can use her chewer. You can wet and freeze her dog food inside a Kong so she has to chew and work to eat.

She loves playing hide and seek with our kids. (They hide in the house. She finds them for a treat.) We play lots and lots of tug too.

On weekends we do longer walks and hikes on trails for her to sniff. We also practice behaving on trips to get coffee or in busy locations.

Finally, doggie daycare is great. She gets to socialize with other dogs and comes home exhausted. She sleeps much of the next day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for some of the helpful advice above. I realize that some of the unhelpful kind that has come in may have been because I did not clarify something: we are not looking to rehome this dog. I am looking for other people who may have had had this particular type of hound dog, in an urban environment, where it requires a tremendous amount of energy to make it "chill" knowing that we are a 'must leash' community and dog parks are not an option for us due to poor behavior in most dog parks near me. Again, looking for ideas to try. We adopted a puppy during COVID that they told us was a mixed hound. We had no idea until the DNA test it was this type and would be this large and energetic. Trying to figure out how to give it a best life.

You can get a long 30' training leash and see if you can get your dog to chase a toy in an open area or field. This wears our houd-mix puppy out. She's not great about retrieving, but loves the initial chase. Running is awesome for her.

For walks, we do three at day: before work, after work and before bed. They add up to a minimum of 3-4 miles. We try to make one be on a trail so she gets to sniff.

We also have a toddler tunnel from Ikea and do mock agility training. (She's just a puppy so not old enough for anything formal.) She loves running through and jumping over the tunnel on command. She'll weave between our legs. Roll over. Spin in circles left and right. Sit pretty. Crawl. And other fun commands. This work wears out her brain.

We also do Kongs, filled bones and bully sticks so she can use her chewer. You can wet and freeze her dog food inside a Kong so she has to chew and work to eat.

She loves playing hide and seek with our kids. (They hide in the house. She finds them for a treat.) We play lots and lots of tug too.

On weekends we do longer walks and hikes on trails for her to sniff. We also practice behaving on trips to get coffee or in busy locations.

Finally, doggie daycare is great. She gets to socialize with other dogs and comes home exhausted. She sleeps much of the next day.

Your dog sounds like she has the life! 😁

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for some of the helpful advice above. I realize that some of the unhelpful kind that has come in may have been because I did not clarify something: we are not looking to rehome this dog. I am looking for other people who may have had had this particular type of hound dog, in an urban environment, where it requires a tremendous amount of energy to make it "chill" knowing that we are a 'must leash' community and dog parks are not an option for us due to poor behavior in most dog parks near me. Again, looking for ideas to try. We adopted a puppy during COVID that they told us was a mixed hound. We had no idea until the DNA test it was this type and would be this large and energetic. Trying to figure out how to give it a best life.

You can get a long 30' training leash and see if you can get your dog to chase a toy in an open area or field. This wears our houd-mix puppy out. She's not great about retrieving, but loves the initial chase. Running is awesome for her.

For walks, we do three at day: before work, after work and before bed. They add up to a minimum of 3-4 miles. We try to make one be on a trail so she gets to sniff.

We also have a toddler tunnel from Ikea and do mock agility training. (She's just a puppy so not old enough for anything formal.) She loves running through and jumping over the tunnel on command. She'll weave between our legs. Roll over. Spin in circles left and right. Sit pretty. Crawl. And other fun commands. This work wears out her brain.

We also do Kongs, filled bones and bully sticks so she can use her chewer. You can wet and freeze her dog food inside a Kong so she has to chew and work to eat.

She loves playing hide and seek with our kids. (They hide in the house. She finds them for a treat.) We play lots and lots of tug too.

On weekends we do longer walks and hikes on trails for her to sniff. We also practice behaving on trips to get coffee or in busy locations.

Finally, doggie daycare is great. She gets to socialize with other dogs and comes home exhausted. She sleeps much of the next day.

Your dog sounds like she has the life! 😁

Agreed. Can you post some of the places you use? Especially the doggy daycare. So many places are hit or miss.

[Anonymous]

OP, I get your frustration. I have a hound and live on a farm.

She is such a laid back dog. So, so chill. But she needs to roam.

Yours will probably really quiet down about age 2. Mine did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for some of the helpful advice above. I realize that some of the unhelpful kind that has come in may have been because I did not clarify something: we are not looking to rehome this dog. I am looking for other people who may have had had this particular type of hound dog, in an urban environment, where it requires a tremendous amount of energy to make it "chill" knowing that we are a 'must leash' community and dog parks are not an option for us due to poor behavior in most dog parks near me. Again, looking for ideas to try. We adopted a puppy during COVID that they told us was a mixed hound. We had no idea until the DNA test it was this type and would be this large and energetic. Trying to figure out how to give it a best life.

Former urban foxhound owner here- my dog transformed in the woods. It was the only place she truly relaxed. Go find the nearest forested trail and try to take your walks there instead of around the block. I was lucky because I lived within walking distance of Rock Creek Park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for some of the helpful advice above. I realize that some of the unhelpful kind that has come in may have been because I did not clarify something: we are not looking to rehome this dog. I am looking for other people who may have had had this particular type of hound dog, in an urban environment, where it requires a tremendous amount of energy to make it "chill" knowing that we are a 'must leash' community and dog parks are not an option for us due to poor behavior in most dog parks near me. Again, looking for ideas to try. We adopted a puppy during COVID that they told us was a mixed hound. We had no idea until the DNA test it was this type and would be this large and energetic. Trying to figure out how to give it a best life.

Former urban foxhound owner here- my dog transformed in the woods. It was the only place she truly relaxed. Go find the nearest forested trail and try to take your walks there instead of around the block. I was lucky because I lived within walking distance of Rock Creek Park.

A yes, a great place. Thanks for the tip!

[Anonymous]

13:01 has the right idea, OP. Work with a trainer and make sure your dog gets the rightkid of stimulation and exercise.

Also, eating through a ziplock is normal for any food-driven dog. I have a 7-lb dog who would do that. My 20-lb dog has eaten through plastic containers. She has opened sealed peanut butter jars! You have to adjust!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why people are so down on breeders. Choose the right breed of dog and a good breeder & you will have that snuggly, stick-with-you type of personality you are looking for.

Because rescuing a dog has becoming big business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why people are so down on breeders. Choose the right breed of dog and a good breeder & you will have that snuggly, stick-with-you type of personality you are looking for.

Because it doesn't work that way? You aren't buying a thing but adopting a living being. An under exercised, under trained and bored pure bred dog will also have behavior issues. And dogs are individuals that come with different personalities. I know plenty of neurotic pure breds and have my own snuggly hound-mix rescue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for some of the helpful advice above. I realize that some of the unhelpful kind that has come in may have been because I did not clarify something: we are not looking to rehome this dog. I am looking for other people who may have had had this particular type of hound dog, in an urban environment, where it requires a tremendous amount of energy to make it "chill" knowing that we are a 'must leash' community and dog parks are not an option for us due to poor behavior in most dog parks near me. Again, looking for ideas to try. We adopted a puppy during COVID that they told us was a mixed hound. We had no idea until the DNA test it was this type and would be this large and energetic. Trying to figure out how to give it a best life.

See if you can find a fenced-in area that will allow you to have your dog off leash. For example, some possibilities are churches, school baseball or track fields, etc. Something fenced in. Then throw tennis balls for 30 minutes for your dog to chase and bring back. If your dog poops, be sure to carefully pick up the whole mess, so that you will always be welcomed back. You can also use the dog park when it's empty, and throw tennis balls for your doggie. Exercise is key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:See if you can find a fenced-in area that will allow you to have your dog off leash. For example, some possibilities are churches, school baseball or track fields, etc. Something fenced in. Then throw tennis balls for 30 minutes for your dog to chase and bring back. If your dog poops, be sure to carefully pick up the whole mess, so that you will always be welcomed back. You can also use the dog park when it's empty, and throw tennis balls for your doggie. Exercise is key.

What the ever-loving F?!?!?!

Do you seriously take your dog onto church grounds, a school track, or a sports field, directly past the "No Animals on the Ball Field" sign, and let them run and poop? You are a grade-A narcissistic jerk, my friend.