Between 7 weeks and 7 months...

[Dogs]

... "most working dogs are either made or broken" - according to Guy Wallace, The Specialist Gundog.

Thoughts? Stories, experiences, either to the contrary or to back this up - or both?

What are the implications for taking on a dog older than 7 months, with an unknown history?

Both physically (for example, potentially having had far too much physical activity for growing joints etc.) and mentally (for example, traumatic experiences, habitual disobedience, lack of socialisation and exposure to different environments, unacceptable hobbies like chasing cats)?

 

[Dogs]

Or: A dog who has developed a habit of going wherever they fancy, at whatever distance from the handler (much further than you want them to), whenever they are off lead. Much easier to prevent in the first place - but taking on a dog who has already established the habit?

 

[Brittany boy]

I had a rescue vizla, who had some bad habits, the main one was he didn’t like kids. I had two weeks grace from the other half to sort the problem or he was going back. It comes down to a fresh start for the dog. You have to be consistent for the dogs sake. He will take his lead from you, as to what’s acceptable to his new pack leader and what’s not. Once he understands the rules he can be moulded to his new home, intelligent breeds can be a challenge and can’t be given any Lea way. Build the bond with the dog get his trust so he associates you with the fun things and wants to please you. The vizla turned out to be a great family dog and shooting companion once he overcame his gun shyness, turned out his fear of kids was caused by the youngest member of the previous owners poking him while he was crated for 3 months recovering from an operation. It’s not usually the dogs fault but the previous owners, try to get as much background on the dog as possible, it will help iron out any issues, no reason not to give it a try, good luck .

 

[stalker.308]

I largely agree with the statement they are moulded during that time. My own preference is to have a pup from 8 weeks. You are ultimately responsible for how that dog turns out and you are there to ensure it is introduced to all the right things at the right times and are the person they look up to and want to work for.

Of course there will always be stories of people who have had dogs older that turned out superbly but if you do inherit issues/quirks etc it’s a long period of regret for the next 10 - 12 years. If you cause those quirks/issues when you have a pup from 8 weeks then you only have yourself to blame.

 

[Brittany boy]

If a new pup is an option then go with the pup, that’s what I did after the vizla, now got a GWP.

 

[long_range_rob]

I’ve been taking on rescue/rehome Lab dogs for twenty years now. All I can say is be patient and kind. Bad habits made in minutes can take years to resolve.

 

[Dunwaters]

Or: A dog who has developed a habit of going wherever they fancy, at whatever distance from the handler (much further than you want them to), whenever they are off lead. Much easier to prevent in the first place - but taking on a dog who has already established the habit?

Big questions to answer without context.
A man/ woman used to a springer/ lab will be horrified by a pointer ranging as it should, a pointer handler will be kicking the dogs off their heels.

 

[Overlay]

Training is for the dogs ability and it’s work requirements, have a wire and not let it work the ground for air scent you might as well not have it, let some one else own it who will let it use it’s built in skills

I’ve been taking on rescue/rehome Lab dogs for twenty years now. All I can say is be patient and kind. Bad habits made in minutes can take years to resolve.

Never a truer word spoken Rob

 

[Dogs]

Thank you very much to everyone who has responded, and sorry for being absent a few days. I guess it's difficult to generalise. I have read that the first few months form the foundation on which everything else relies. I've met dogs who spent the first 6-12 months or so of their lives mostly isolated, and were absolute nutters (not just lively - badly adjusted). I've also heard that with dogs between around 12 and 18 months, it's still very possible to fix any potential issues, e.g. help anxious dogs become more relaxed.
It's strange as well how different litter mates can turn out, no? I met two recently, just under a year, one super cautious and worried, the other plastered into your face within seconds. Same experiences up to this point in their lives, as far as I know.