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Hello all. I'm in love with an Irish Setter that does'nt belong to me (unfortunately). Her name is Topanga and she belonged to the people I worked for. They got her when she was 8 weeks old and from the moment we 'met', it was obvious to everyone that she was 'my' dog. I'm the one who fed and watered her...took her to the vet...brought her treats...and loved her. This is the problem...When they bought her, they never gave any thought to the care and maintenance of this beautiful animal. (They wanted a dog that looked pretty and was thought of as 'prestigious'.) What they got was a bundle of energy that turned out to be extremely high maintenance. She is15 months old now. About 3 weeks ago they decided she was just too much of an 'inconvenience' and said she had to go. They would gladly have given her to me but I live in a one bedroom apartment with no yard. There is no way I could take her and let her have the freedom to run and romp that she needs. Luckily they gave her to someone I knew so I could still see her. But after only one weekend these people said they could'nt keep her either because they said she barked too much so they found her another home for her with people I did'nt know. These people said I could not see her anymore. (What there reasons were I don't know, but I do know I almost lost my mind during the week they kept her). After a week, they too wanted rid of her...too high strung they said. Now she is with another friend of mine and hopefully she will stay there until I can find myself a place with a large fenced in yard so I can bring her home with me (where she belongs).
This is one of the most beautiful animals I have ever seen and I love her beyond words. She IS highstrung...she DOES bark....she DOES get into things...she DOES run and run and run when given the chance...She DOES eat anything she can get her paws on...
But my question is this...After reading everything I can about the breed...isn't this sort of 'normal' for them? From what I have read, they are'nt a dog for everyone because of these very qualities.
So, is there anyone out there who is familiar with Setters? Is she really as 'bad' as everyone but me thinks she is, or is she just being an Irish Setter?
I'm posting pics so you can see why my heart was stolen the minute I saw her. Thanks for any info, answers, opinions...
This is one of the most beautiful animals I have ever seen and I love her beyond words. She IS highstrung...she DOES bark....she DOES get into things...she DOES run and run and run when given the chance...She DOES eat anything she can get her paws on...
But my question is this...After reading everything I can about the breed...isn't this sort of 'normal' for them? From what I have read, they are'nt a dog for everyone because of these very qualities.
So, is there anyone out there who is familiar with Setters? Is she really as 'bad' as everyone but me thinks she is, or is she just being an Irish Setter?
I'm posting pics so you can see why my heart was stolen the minute I saw her. Thanks for any info, answers, opinions...
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Tennessee
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Re: Irish Setters
Sat, July 16, 2005 - 12:30 PMSounds to me like a pretty normal Irish Setter!!! I hope it all works out and you get your beautiful girl sooner, rather than later.
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Re: Irish Setters
Sun, July 17, 2005 - 10:34 AMThis sounds like typical setter behavior to me too. I would suggest enrolling the two of you into a dog training class so that you can learn to help her control some of the less "attractive" behaviors.
Best of luck! -
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Re: Irish Setters
Sun, July 17, 2005 - 10:21 PMThanks for the advice and encouragement. I think you are totally right about the training classes for both of us..I am definitely checking into that. Right now the whole situation has me stressed beyond belief. I'm not too optimistic about finding a place I can afford that will allow animals (and I already have a cocker/pit bull mix...which also presents a problem as he is a wonderful people dog, but not too dog friendly..and he's also very possessive of me). So I will need LOTS of space I think. But I am still trying to be hopeful. Where she is right now is not the greatest either...and my heart is breaking.
I mentioned in my first message the things others find 'negative' about Pong...What I failed to mention was how silky her hair feels as I bury my face in her neck....and how I love her sloppy kisses...and her clumsy paws...the way she almost knocks me over at the joy of seeing me...how she sometimes just puts her face very close to mine and looks at me with those beautiful big brown eyes...how she can be chasing her own tail one minute and then suddenly something will catch her attention and...wham...gone is the somewhat clumsy pup...she becomes this beautiful/elegant/swift creature capable of being a showdog...or huntress.
So......I will keep trying...because I love her.....
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Re: Irish Setters
Fri, September 16, 2005 - 9:12 AMSomeone once said that Irish Setters are the Peter Pans of the dog world- they never really grow up!!!
My little Isis is the same way, just LOVES TO LOVE, alot of energy, PLAY, PLAY NOW, PLAY PLAY NOW!! She has started to settle down alittle bit now that she is almost 2 1/2 yrs. But, there are times she still drives us and her Doberman big brother nuts. Hang in there, try the classes, have lots of room for running, and many toys.
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Re: Irish Setters
Sat, January 14, 2006 - 5:55 AMI have had Irish Setters for many years (more than 30) and I know a lot about them. Besides food, they live on love. It must be honest, it must be all forgiving, it must be presented often. They do not react well to discipline, unless security and fairness is included. They are, like many other breeds, very smart, but easily insulted and hurt emotionally.
People have problems with Irish setters if they break the bond of close association. They are "people" dogs and thrive with the people who love them, become 'problems' whenever they are apart or somehow hurt (again like many other breeds.)
The breed needs exercise, too. But it can be accomplished in several hours a day, by taking the dog somewhere he/she can run freely with you. Walking on a leash does not exercise an Irish Setter. Plan on daily trips to a field, woods or park where dogs are allowed. Consider two miles a day an absolute minimum, think five miles.
Mixing Irish Setters with another dog in the house is possible, but jealosy is another Irish Setter fault. Even another Irish is competition for your love and can be a major issue. Remember, they are smart but terribly dependent on trust, consistency and affection. Cheat an Irish Setter and you can easily lose him/her as a friend.
And that's part of what they mean when they say Irish Setters are high maintenance. They must be treated fairly.
Ofcourse, there is the upside, which is the wonderful surprise you discovered. They can be the most wonderful animal companion of everything out there: they love life, they love people and kids, they are considerate of old people and they have a language owners learn that connot be explained only experienced.
I wish you the best,
Bob
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Re: Irish Setters
Sat, January 14, 2006 - 7:10 AMIt sounds to me like this is not an Irish Setter problem. This is a human problem. Perhaps you could convince one of these flaky humans to keep the dog just long enough for you to find a pad for all of you. Bribe them. If you don't have money, offer them favors. Barter. Guilt if you have to. Help them understand that with each move, they are hurting this dog's psyche...because it's true. Then look and look hard. Call every realty company you can find and say, "I need a place with a yard that will allow me to have two dogs for x amount of money." Be earnest and be sincere. Also, put the word out to everyone you know. Create a space for just what you need to happen and it will. Visualizing your perfect situation coming about will help it happen.
When it does, your dogs will work things out. Just remember to give more love and attention to the FIRST dog because the first dog is used to having you all to herself. That is the dog who will feel the sting of love divided, who will feel deprived if you give him/her less than the amount of love and attention to which he/she has become accustomed. (You would too in the same situation.) Plus, you are stabling roles in the pack. The new puppy should be third in line after you and the older pet. Plus, you're setting the bar for how much love and affection the new dog will get and if Topanga comes into your home and is showered with attention, she is going to expect it for the rest of her life. This will create huge problems down the road. Don't go there. Finally, consider taking them both to behavior classes together - even if the first dog doesn't need it. Every bonding experience they can share will help them form a fast bond.
The behavior you describe is not uncommon to ANY dog under three years. It is just a matter of time and patience to wait for them to grow up. (I find it maddening when people get rid of a dog rather than allow them the time they need to move through adolescence. The same thing happens with parrots - only their terrible two's last for nine years! And so they go from home to home to home...) So you've got a little less than two years of this time left and then you're going to have a cool loving dog for the rest of its life.
I wish you well. I am visualizing the best outcome for you, for Topanga AND for the companion you already have. And so it is.
