He is learning that inside manners are different than outside so he is much easier to be around in the house. We know "sit" and are working on stay. I feed all the dogs at the same time (3 if you count girlfriend's Westie) and make them sit and stay at the kitchen doorway until the bowls are on the floor and I release them. He is also learning that I am always first out a door and "manners" means he waits until I am through and release him...saves a lot of tripping down the stairs - don't need that with the new hardware.
Boomer is turning out to be typical setter in that he has a tender disposition. A gentle tap on the top of his head with one finger is all it takes to stop whatever behavior he is engaged in (i.e. jumping up, pawing). I am assuming his original owner was a bit more heavy handed though he is not head shy. That owner also did us the favor of partially whistle training him; if he is intent on squirrels or birds in the backyard he usually ignores my call. However, one toot on the whistle and he comes running. He doesn't fetch at all unless you call my throwing the dummy and his playing keep-away as fetching. When I get a chance to take him to the skeet club we will see whether he is gun shy before I work on real fetching.
In the meantime, he is now completely socialized. Remember how he wouldn't look you in the eye? He does now! I have broken a couple of my own rules to get him there...I sometimes let him up on the sofa so we can be on the same level for rubbing his tummy, etc. I also let him lick my face - I think that helped establish the bond so that he looks at me.
That's it for now. Still good on the Doxy.
He would need an experienced handler/trainer at this point. Last we were on a leash, he gave me moments of loose lead but when he pulls, he can be a handful. We already know he has a nose and naturally points and he has had some field training. If if turns out that he's not gun shy, he can be put out for adoption as a green hunter. It will be a few weeks before healing and weather will let me get out to the skeet range. I would think it would be worth waiting since it might make him more attractive to an adopter. If he is gun shy (often the case with "strays") I will just emphasize the obedience part of his training. I am relieved that he should bond with his next owner as long as that person establishes themselves as the alpha dog.
