The past couple of weeks hunter has been acting strange on our walks. Whenever we pass a person, other dog, car, etc, he whines.. Ive had people tell me "He sounds just like a hound baying" (Wierdest bay I've heard) sometimes its embarressing (he keeps doing it until were away from the thing he was parking at, and it is super loud and usually he gets some strange looks)... I do use a choke chain on him, but have taken classes on how to use them so its not actually hurting him, but he sounds like it is.. Even if I don't use the choker and just his collar he still whines.. its not really a whine.. more of a high pitch bark. Im just wondering what this is and what he is trying to accomplish doing this?

--P.S, even when he is doing this he doesn't pull, he still walks beside me like he is supposed to.

Anxiety...

I agree with Lucky. He's a hound, that howl (called baying) is what hounds do when they've tracked a scent, or when they're anxious. He's still not having his needs fulfilled and that's why he's baying. He's likely scenting. The walks aren't enough.

Chewy bays too, when he's in the yard and catches the scent of something he doesn't like, he'll bay. He'll also bay if he has a lot of pent up energy. A good run or brisk walk usually does the trick, or a game of find the hidden item in the yard does just as well. As a hound he needs to be able to do the job he was bred to do. The bay isn't always a bad thing, but if it sounds like a whine, or pain, it's because he's upset, distressed, anxious. He's not being allowed to do what he's meant to do, what's built into him to do.

Hunter is trying to tell you that he needs more then he's getting.

He bays when were out gopher hunting (and we try and go everyday unless its raining, then it is a couple laps around where I live and home), this is most definantly higher pitched. He is getting out and doing what he needs to (most days it over 2 hours were gone in the field), but I still like his "structured walks" to be there, when he is out hunting I just let him do what he pleases on his cord..

So the reason that his bay is different when he is hunting and when he is going for a walk is anxiety? Should I cut our walks shorter and do more field time?

I also hide his kong in the yard full of peanut butter, wet dog food, or wild meat (deer, goose, crane, whatever my dad has extra in his freezer), he is still learning to look for it, and that when he finds it he is allowed to eat it (he will sit there and wait for me to take it away, give it back, and tell him his eat command)

You're a smart girl Emily, figure out what he needs.

If he is acting anxious on a walk, then find out what is wrong. Its not normal for a dog to whine and wimper while being outside... Maybe its too much field work and not enough "structured" walks..

I agree with Lucky.

Emily, you love Hunter, I know you do. You do however worry too much.

A working breed, scent hound like Hunter is not for everyone. They need a lot of work. They need a lot of exercise. I've told you before, 2 hours a day isn't enough for a breed like Hunter.

You'll figure it out. Sadly there's no text book "do this, do that, all will be fine" answer that I can give you. You have to find the balance. You know him better then we do. So find what works for both of you. I know you can. :)

I worry so much because I'm scared if I do something wrong he will go back into his aggressive state of mind (which he hasn't been aggressive in awhile now, and you can do anything to provoke him and he doesn't get mad), he gets 2 hours of field time, and about 3 hours of walking (an hour morning, lunch, and before bed), he also goes to the dog park for an hour-an hour and a half a day.

He's such a complicated dog (who is as strong headed as a brick wall), so he has me on my toes at all times, and like I said, I just don't want the past to repeat itself.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Emily94

I worry so much because im scared if I do something wrong he will go back into his aggressive state of mind (which he hasnt been aggressive in awhile now, and you can do anything to provoke him and he doesnt get mad), he gets 2 hours of field time, and about 3 hours of walking (an hour morning, lunch, and before bed), he also goes to the dog park for an hour-an hour and a half a day.

He's such a complicated dog (who is as strong headed as a brick wall), so he has me on my toes at all times, and like i said, i just dont want the past to repeat itself.

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Emily, it sounds like you're doing all you can. He'll let you know if he's not happy, trust me. I have a beagle, a hound breed. I know what you mean by "strong headed". They're very stubborn dogs, but they're also very smart, and very driven. If they're fulfilled they're great dogs. If they're not, they can have issues.

I'm lucky. My border collie (also a breed that's goal oriented) wears out my beagle. They play together a lot, and that's how they both expend a lot of their energy. That play is enough for the border collie (Jasper) but not for the beagle (Chewy). Chewy needs more, and we provide that through play, making him use what's bred into him.

It can be hit and miss. It sounds to me like you're doing what you can, and Hunter seems to be doing well. If he continues howling on walks then up the unstructured times. That may be what he needs. I'd do the structured walks after he's good and tired. The more tired he is the better he will do on his structured walks.

I hope this helps. :)

Thanks guys, Ill try and rearrange his schedule a bit and see if I can find something that works.