Hi everyone - I've just adopted a 2-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound from a
rescue org in my area. She's a second dog in the house (in addition to my
7yo male Pointer) and I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping the
experts here might answer.

First, the rescue org had her spayed last weekend so she still has stitches,
but she doesn't appear to be in pain -- no crying or whimpering, and only
shows what I'd call the average interest in the wound site. I've had two
male dogs neutered but I've never had a female; obviously the spay surgery
is more invasive, so I'm wondering if, other than keeping the wound site
clean and making sure she doesn't mess with it, is there anything else I
should do for her? The rescue offered to get pain meds for her if needed --
how would I know she needs them? She spent the better part of yesterday
sleeping, and when she did get up, she was in good spirits although she got
up slowly. What is the recovery period generally for spay surgery? What is
the best way for me to get her to roll over so I can keep an eye on the
wound site? I don't want to do the dominant rollover move with her just
yet; I think it's too early in the relationship development process for that
and I want her to learn to trust me (can you tell I'm a social worker??).
On the other hand, maybe I do need to show her dominance from the outset.
I'm not sure how to handle this particular issue, especially given she's new
in my home and recovering from surgery. Any suggestions for me?

Second, my understanding is that she was surrendered by a family in WV that
kept her as a hunting dog (but who knows really). Other than being terribly
thin, she doesn't show any apparent signs of having been physically abused.
She was shy the first day (Saturday), but now is following me around the
house off and on like my Pointer does. However, she shows very little
interest in him other than some initial sniffing of each other when they
were introduced, and for the most part they've ignored each other. This is
unusual for my dog because he's very playful and loves other dogs. He's
made a few attempts to engage her in play, but she doesn't seem to know what
to make of it and has shown very little interest in dog toys or chewies (not
so with chicken snaps though!). Can he tell by smell that she's been
"injured" and thus he's not pushing her to play, or is it just because she's
new in the house and he's keeping his distance? On her end, it could be
that she's either (1) not interested in him because she's recovering from
surgery, or (2) wasn't well-socialized as a puppy and doesn't really know
how to play, or (3) both of those. She's very sweet and has shown no
aggression at all in my home, and according to the shelter folks in WV she
was the same there before the surgery. The best word I can use to describe
her personality so far has been subdued, so I'm wondering what to expect.

What do you all think might be the prognosis for this girl? Do dogs with
poor puppy socialization learn to play over time? Both of the male dogs in
my past were puppies when I got them, so this is the first time I've taken
on a young adult female and I really want to give her a good home. Any
recommendations or info you could provide would be greatly appreciated. If
you'd like to respond to me directly, please send e-mail to natty dot dread
at comcast dot n e t. Thank you!

Rhonda
Alexandria, VA


==============
Each of us, a cell of awareness
imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends with uncertain ends
on a fortune-hunt that's far too fleet

"Natty_Dread" wrote:
First, the rescue org had her spayed last weekend so she still has stitches,
but she doesn't appear to be in pain -- no crying or whimpering, and only
shows what I'd call the average interest in the wound site.

Good. As long as she doesn't lick or nibble at it, or display any signs of
illness, I wouldn't worry about it. Dogs are pretty resilient after surgery.
She probably doesn't feel a thing. If there's a problem, you'll probably see
redness or swelling.

She spent the better part of yesterday
sleeping, and when she did get up, she was in good spirits although she got
up slowly.

That's probably more an effect of the anesthesia than the surgery itself. All
the females I've had neutered have been woozy for the first day or two, but
never showed any other sign that they had been under the knife.

What is the recovery period generally for spay surgery?

They think it's immediate. :} The best thing is just to restrict her activity
- no crazy running or playing - until the stitches are out.

What is
the best way for me to get her to roll over so I can keep an eye on the
wound site?

When she is lying down, look at which hip she's on. Take a piece of food and
put it to her face, just behind her eye, on whatever side her legs are sticking
out. Lure her to keep turning her head to get the treat. She will plop on her
side. Hold the treat to the floor to feed her, so her head stays down. Praise
her and massage her, encouraging her to stay there. Now you can look at her
belly.

I don't want to do the dominant rollover move with her just
yet

Don't do it EVER. It's not not not the right way to establish leadership. It
establishes conflict. Instead, see: http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm

The best word I can use to describe
her personality so far has been subdued, so I'm wondering what to expect.

She's in a new place and has just had a traumatic experience at the vet. Give
her time to adjust and feel secure.

What do you all think might be the prognosis for this girl? Do dogs with
poor puppy socialization learn to play over time?

Poor socialization usually results in fear reactions. If she's just aloof,
don't worry about it. Some dogs like to play a lot, others don't. She may
begin to initiate play, your other dog may teach her, or she just may prefer
not to.

---
Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
It's A Dog's Life
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html
Get Healthy, Build Your Immune System, Lose Weight
http://www.re-vita.net/dfrntdrums

Natty_Dread wrote:

snipped

Hi everyone - I've just adopted a 2-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound from a
rescue org in my area. She's a second dog in the house (in addition to my
7yo male Pointer) and I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping the
experts here might answer.

Oh, Treeing Walkers are so cool! I had 2 of them here,
when I was involved in rescue.

Second, my understanding is that she was surrendered by a family in WV that
kept her as a hunting dog (but who knows really). Other than being terribly
thin, she doesn't show any apparent signs of having been physically abused.
She was shy the first day (Saturday), but now is following me around the
house off and on like my Pointer does. However, she shows very little
interest in him other than some initial sniffing of each other when they
were introduced, and for the most part they've ignored each other. This is
unusual for my dog because he's very playful and loves other dogs. He's
made a few attempts to engage her in play, but she doesn't seem to know what
to make of it and has shown very little interest in dog toys or chewies (not
so with chicken snaps though!). Can he tell by smell that she's been
"injured" and thus he's not pushing her to play, or is it just because she's
new in the house and he's keeping his distance? On her end, it could be
that she's either (1) not interested in him because she's recovering from
surgery, or (2) wasn't well-socialized as a puppy and doesn't really know
how to play, or (3) both of those. She's very sweet and has shown no
aggression at all in my home, and according to the shelter folks in WV she
was the same there before the surgery. The best word I can use to describe
her personality so far has been subdued, so I'm wondering what to expect.

As Leah says, it is normal for her to be subdued after
surgery.

She might have been kept outdoors in a kennel with
other hunting dogs.

My experience of Walkers - but only 2 of them, which
were probably lost hunting dogs - is that they're smart
as heck and love, love, love to get out and run through
the woods, through the weeds. Both were females; the
younger, 1.5yo, was a taller dog who could clear a 4 ft
fence with ease, and she's the only dog I ever saw who
would *test* the hotwire and/or tear at the welded wire
until she popped the welds. Then she'd wait while the
younger dogs in her yard would follow her out, and
they'd all go for a jaunt in the woods, or across the
road to the stock pond and have a swim.

I had a lot of dogs here at the time and couldn't give
her the amount of attention that she deserved, so her
escapades may have been from boredom. She became
housebroken very quickly, behaved well in the house,
and also learned to walk well on leash quickly. She
wasn't a real waggly dog - she would appear to behave
in a more aloof manner than a Lab, say, but obviously
was paying attention to the lessons that she had. She
was very happy to lie at my feet in the house, or sleep
in my son's bed.

Since the younger dog came when called, I took her down
to our woods once and let her loose. It was a
beautiful thing to see - she dashed around, seemed like
40 mph, jumping downed logs, dodging around trees,
kicking up leaves. Never got more than about 150 ft
from me, and she'd swing around and head back. Then
into the meadow, where she'd leap into the air about
every 10 paces.

Most of the other dogs on the property would
alarm-bark, and both the Walkers did, too - but they
never met a stranger :-). Neither was aggressive toward
other dogs.

I don't know for sure if any of the above is
characteristic of the breed, but it might be, because
they both acted the same, though they came at different
times and I doubt they were from the same original
home. (The older dog died during her spay surgery :-().

Heh, like your name - I have dreds.

flick 100785


What do you all think might be the prognosis for this girl? Do dogs with
poor puppy socialization learn to play over time? Both of the male dogs in
my past were puppies when I got them, so this is the first time I've taken
on a young adult female and I really want to give her a good home. Any
recommendations or info you could provide would be greatly appreciated. If
you'd like to respond to me directly, please send e-mail to natty dot dread
at comcast dot n e t. Thank you!

Rhonda
Alexandria, VA


==============
Each of us, a cell of awareness
imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends with uncertain ends
on a fortune-hunt that's far too fleet