Emily
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Feb 2004
Location: West Kill, NY
Posts: 2045 |
I'd try some bonding time with her away from the tree. She's been through a lot, as have you. I'm sure the fire was particularly traumatic. She must have been a house dog for awhile with her previous owner, from what you say, and she's probably been spending too much time alone in her kennel lately. You've been leaving her on her own for a good part of the day since you don't live where she does. Just throw her in the truck and take her with you for a couple hours a day. That may help.
Do you smoke when you hunt? Its possible she doesn't like smoke after the fire.
Carry bribes with you if necessary--pieces of hot dog or some other irresistable treat. I live in thin coon, and I have one dog that is very difficult to catch if he hasn't treed. I use freeze-dried lamb lungs to get him to come in.
Will she come back to chew on the coon if you shoot it out? Maybe if you shoot a few out, then take to shooting every other one, than every third one, etc., she'll be more inclined to hang around.
Another thing that works for a lot of dogs, especially males, but some females. is for you to pee. Most dogs can't resist investigating that, and will be caught easily while investigating. Praise her up when you catch her and tie her under the coon for a few minutes after you catch her.
Meanwhile, don't hunt her with the young dog until you cure the problem!
Please don't leave any dog in the woods. That just makes it someone else's problem. Either find it a home elsewhere or take care of the problem yourself humanely or bring it to the local shelter.
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