Thursday, November 10, 2011

What Was I Thinking...

Ok. Here she is. The reason I have not had any time to write a post. The reason I haven't gotten a full days work in for at least two weeks. The reason my house is a mess. The reason my patrol truck is no longer lonely. The reason I am smiling.
Maple on patrol
A German Shorthair Pointer- and her name is Maple. Ok, dog experts out there, I need advice. This great white hunter will not leave the house because it is cold outside. She goes out, tucks her tiny tail as far between her legs as she can get it, then sits down, whimpers and shivers. Tough girl. It is kind of hard to wear off all that GSP energy if she won't leave the house. I'm looking for suggestions...
Help!!

20 comments:

  1. Maple! What a perfect name, and gorgeous girl, growing into a best friend. I have no sage advice...my dog (full grown and furry!) does a similar thing and when it snows, won't go off the back deck to use the "facilities."

    I'm very happy for you...that your truck isn't lonely anymore. :-)

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  2. What a terrific looking dog. My prediction is that Maple's energy will rebound once she grows into her paws a little more.

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  3. What a cute dog! Hopefully she will become a rough and tough hunter for you!

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  4. Congratulations! So happy for you :)
    Maybe you should introduce her to ice fishing, give her something to love in the winter :)

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  5. Food is the great motivator of dogs. See "the power of training dogs with food" at Leerburg. Use Google.

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  6. She should get used to the cold in time, she's still a pup.

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  7. You ould send her to me? :)

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  8. Beautiful dog and little girl also. I also don't have any wise advice. No one has figured out how to get me out of the house when it's cold either.

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  9. Lure her out with some treats. Never fails with my pooch.

    She is adorable!

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  10. Maple is quite the looker...beautiful dog! Always a challenge with the new ones though...I have two bulldogs, and they have aren't too thrilled with the outdoors either, so unfortunately, I have no advice....Sorry.

    Good Luck!

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  11. Wearing out my dogs' brains is every bit as important as physical exercise, so we utilize treat dispensing toys. Stuff her meals into a toy and make her work for it.
    Kongs are a favorite here. There are a ton of treat puzzles out there meant for puppy teeth.

    You could get her a coat, too..doesn't have to be cute, it can be a tough girl huntin' dog coat :)

    She is adorable.

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  12. Adorable! We have a 6 month old GSP named Jager, he doesn't love the cold either. GSP's even though they are hunting dogs and thin coated with not a lot of body fat to keep them warm. So definitely get a coat or sweater for her, the neoprene hunting vests are nice but can be pricey to keep getting them while they are still growing so just a simple sweater is fine for now. I'm assuming you'll be working towards bird hunting with her? Start working with a wing on a string or birds now outside. Get her excited for it and she'll start to realize that cold is good and fun because it means birds!

    Good luck with her, she's gorgeous! Love the roan!

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  13. Good- I thought of a sweater but my husband disapproved. I must say I am becoming discouraged. I can hardly unlatch her jaws from my pant legs (or my youngest son's body) long enough to work on any other training. Frustration!

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  14. All good suggestions! I would add that making going outside fun for her is a must, which includes you! I am sure she just wants to be with somebody ALL the time, so if you just kick her out the door, all she wants to do is come back in to be with you. You have to go out too, and whatever the weather, it has to be fun, but with a reward for doing her business. Food may be it, or it may be a smelly sock that she loves. Love the name, my dog is Mable!

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  15. Well, Hello there Maple!

    She's gorgeous! I don't have any suggestions for you since I've never had this problem with my pooches but I'd try all the above ones. They all sound like good advice

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  16. Maple is beautiful. Rotties are not very weather tolerant either. If I can put a sweater on my Rottweiler, I think your hubby can get over one on Maple:-)

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  17. Simply gorgeous - a close friend of mine here in Richmond, VA is a very well known and respected GSP breeder. I have even shown his dogs for him at times in the confirmation ring. Maple will learn to love the outdoors, especially when her prey drive kicks in. At her young age, she has not developed sufficient fat stores to withstand the harsh cold, so I would recommend getting her one of these.......

    http://www.gundogsupply.com/drake-helping-hand-neoprene-dog-vest-with-cordura-chest-plate.html

    It is where I get all of my field supplies for my spaniels.

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  18. My buddy has had 3 one never did like the cold. They had to shovel a spot in the yard his whole life. My Weimaraner was a little shy about it but now she loves the cold and eating snow especially.
    Booties helped with my friend's Vizsla.

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  19. Maple! If she's like my GSP, Sophie, was then get used to yelling that name at the top of your lungs. There has never been a dog happier to be a dog, but there's never been one more challenging either.

    I really like your blog. My great uncle was a game warden who was killed in the line of duty on Christmas Eve 1950. I have a great deal of respect for you guys. Keep up the good work -- as a blogger, wildlife officer and, of course, mother.

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  20. No one has figured out how to get me out of the house when it's cold either.
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