How older dogs adjust to new homes

When Jerry and I sell a started or trained dog, two questions are always asked.

•    How do they adapt to living in a family environment?

•    How well do they bond with new owners?

The answer:  very easily. Judge for yourself.

Northwoods Led Zeppelin, call name Gus

Gus is a setter male by Blue Shaquille and Houston’s Belle’s Choice whelped June 18, 2011. He was one of several from last year’s breedings that we kept to start and train. Gus was taken for group walks in pastures and in the grouse woods. He was worked on bobwhite quail in Minnesota and Tennessee as well as local grouse and woodcock. He had birds shot over his points. We introduced him to all kinds of other experiences such as being in a dog crate, being on a stake-out chain, riding in dog trailers and pickups and interacting with other dogs and people.

David and Pam recently bought Gus and have sent two messages—one after Gus’s first night and, about 10 days later, the next message.

We made it home with no problems. He didn’t make a sound the whole way home and no fuss during the night. We are spending most of our time letting him explore and adjust to the house. The picture was after getting back from a thirty minute run.

Thanks for all the time you spent with us. It was sincerely appreciated.

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Gus is doing very well. He is adjusting to the sights and sounds of the house, he sleeps through the night, he has learned to ask to go outside, we have not had an accident in the house, and we did not hear him bark until this weekend. I am very pleased with the way he is responding to his name in the field and his rapid response to “here”.

Thank you again for our opportunity to purchase Gus. We could not be happier.

Win-win-win

Jerry and I say we couldn’t be happier.

This is a win-win-win situation. David and Pam bought an older puppy whose size, personality and strengths are readily apparent. Gus will have a wonderful life in a loving family situation and will have ample hunting opportunities.  Jerry and I are able to breed good dogs, train them and move them on to good homes.

Comments

• David says:

  May 27, 2012 at 11:02 pm

  What a great dog! If I wasn’t the owner, I’d think he was too good to be true.

• Chris Bye says:

  May 29, 2012 at 6:15 pm

  Hi Jerry and Betsy,

  With my Dad and a close friend both buying “older” dogs from you in the last year, I can say their experience is exactly as described above. In both cases, the dogs adapted to home life extremely well, with almost no “accidents” or issues to speak of. Although puppies are great, they both commented how nice it was to see the dogs perform in the field before they brought them home. The fact the dogs are so easy around the house is a huge bonus.

• Tim says:

  May 31, 2012 at 2:42 pm

  I’m a big fan of started / trained dogs. I think you have a much better chance of getting a dog that will be a match for your needs than if you get a puppy.

  I also like having someone with the experience and tools start the training so that I can be ready to hunt when the seasons start.