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Message
What Do You Do to Keep Your GSP Occupied? UPDATED in OP
Posted on 7/3/25 at 8:23 am
Posted on 7/3/25 at 8:23 am
Thanks for all the advice! Yesterday, we flew to SC in the am and drove back home to Louisiana with Murphy, the 4 yo GSP.
He’s amazing- my wife freaked out when the mom opened her door and Murphy plus her Weimaraner mix nearly knocked her over- then they nearly knocked the mom over. And THEN I noticed the kitchen table HAD been knocked over.
My coonass super spidey sense kicked into gear and I thought- “I bet this dog has never or hasn’t been really corrected in forever” So when the chaos kinda settled, I used my best dad voice to call him over and snapped my finger while doing it. He comes- like he’s been mine forever. If he would wander back to her, I’d call him again and he would come to me.
Stopped 3 times on the 760 mile ride back home- thank you Love’s truck stops for the cool dog parks. Worked on basics with him for a few minutes each time- for instance “we don’t get out of this car until I want you to” and “we don’t go through this gate until I want to go through it” He didn’t need a heavy hand- not once. Just a stern voice, a reminder on the leash, and a lot of praise when he did it right.
Dog slept the whole way home- even though the mom told us “Ohhhh, he’ll pace in a car (SUV)”
All this poor guy needed was some attention and instruction on what was expected.
I am amazed at how adaptable he is….kids had him bringing the dummy back to them last night, we worked this am on giving the dummy back. If this is the first day, I can’t imagine what GSP ownership is like once you really get locked in with them.
Dream come true for me! Thank you all again for the wisdom and advice- 10/10 would do again.
OP….
Super Stoked here this am….
We had to put our dog of 14 years down a month back. (Not stoked about that)
Have always wanted a GSP- but every single person- including our trainer told us “no way- they’re nuts”
To try and mitigate some disaster, we looked for a rehome or rescue dog.
Yesterday, a teacher in SC posted her ex-boyfriend’s dog…apparently his dream to have one, he splits…can’t/won’t take the dog with him. Breeder in MS doesn’t want the dog back. She has 4 little kids…and a lab…and a cat. Said she doesn’t have the want to give him what he needs…I think the dog and her remind each other of the ex.
Anyhow- dog is coming 5 this October. Vet claims he’s the most chill GSP she’s seen. We facetimed yesterday to check him out- dog looks to have a great disposition, a little clingy, but once he settled, he was laying on the floor with one of her kids.
We bought plane tickets last night and are flying up in a couple weeks to go get him (driving back in a rental).
For those of you with GSP knowledge…what did you do to keep them occupied?
We live in a rural area on a couple acres. Not out of the question for three of the four people in this house to bring him on a 2-3 mile run every day.
I heard they really like mental stimulation- like hiding things and giving them jobs.
Any advice on rehoming a 4 year old dog? Can he make this transition? Our house atmosphere is VERY laid back.
He’s amazing- my wife freaked out when the mom opened her door and Murphy plus her Weimaraner mix nearly knocked her over- then they nearly knocked the mom over. And THEN I noticed the kitchen table HAD been knocked over.
My coonass super spidey sense kicked into gear and I thought- “I bet this dog has never or hasn’t been really corrected in forever” So when the chaos kinda settled, I used my best dad voice to call him over and snapped my finger while doing it. He comes- like he’s been mine forever. If he would wander back to her, I’d call him again and he would come to me.
Stopped 3 times on the 760 mile ride back home- thank you Love’s truck stops for the cool dog parks. Worked on basics with him for a few minutes each time- for instance “we don’t get out of this car until I want you to” and “we don’t go through this gate until I want to go through it” He didn’t need a heavy hand- not once. Just a stern voice, a reminder on the leash, and a lot of praise when he did it right.
Dog slept the whole way home- even though the mom told us “Ohhhh, he’ll pace in a car (SUV)”
All this poor guy needed was some attention and instruction on what was expected.
I am amazed at how adaptable he is….kids had him bringing the dummy back to them last night, we worked this am on giving the dummy back. If this is the first day, I can’t imagine what GSP ownership is like once you really get locked in with them.
Dream come true for me! Thank you all again for the wisdom and advice- 10/10 would do again.
OP….
Super Stoked here this am….
We had to put our dog of 14 years down a month back. (Not stoked about that)
Have always wanted a GSP- but every single person- including our trainer told us “no way- they’re nuts”
To try and mitigate some disaster, we looked for a rehome or rescue dog.
Yesterday, a teacher in SC posted her ex-boyfriend’s dog…apparently his dream to have one, he splits…can’t/won’t take the dog with him. Breeder in MS doesn’t want the dog back. She has 4 little kids…and a lab…and a cat. Said she doesn’t have the want to give him what he needs…I think the dog and her remind each other of the ex.
Anyhow- dog is coming 5 this October. Vet claims he’s the most chill GSP she’s seen. We facetimed yesterday to check him out- dog looks to have a great disposition, a little clingy, but once he settled, he was laying on the floor with one of her kids.
We bought plane tickets last night and are flying up in a couple weeks to go get him (driving back in a rental).
For those of you with GSP knowledge…what did you do to keep them occupied?
We live in a rural area on a couple acres. Not out of the question for three of the four people in this house to bring him on a 2-3 mile run every day.
I heard they really like mental stimulation- like hiding things and giving them jobs.
Any advice on rehoming a 4 year old dog? Can he make this transition? Our house atmosphere is VERY laid back.
This post was edited on 7/22/25 at 7:38 am
11
Posted on 7/3/25 at 8:58 am to subMOA
Not sure of your location but run and gun retrievers in Bay City, Texas did an excellent job with my lab. They offer different levels of training not just retrieving. One of their trainers, Mike, is a big GSP guy as well.
Posted on 7/3/25 at 9:00 am to subMOA
My GSP is pretty chill. He lays around and lets the kids do whatever to him, he plays with my doodle, he also runs 9+ miles a day 
I have 20 acres and he uses about 60 acres, neighbors all know him, I have a tracker on him so I can see where he is, and beep him back to the house. Listens very well, just very active. Loves to run, chase deer, squirrels, etc.
Not an aggressive bone in his body.
I have 20 acres and he uses about 60 acres, neighbors all know him, I have a tracker on him so I can see where he is, and beep him back to the house. Listens very well, just very active. Loves to run, chase deer, squirrels, etc.
Not an aggressive bone in his body.
Posted on 7/3/25 at 9:05 am to BoogaBear
Man, I like that- my neighbor is a vet and sometimes in the am, her dogs will just cruise over to my house and come in and see what we’re up to.
We’re surrounded by thousands of acres of farmland with only this road of houses and a neighborhood about a mile away….
I had thought the tracking collar would work….glad to know someone else has done it.
We’re surrounded by thousands of acres of farmland with only this road of houses and a neighborhood about a mile away….
I had thought the tracking collar would work….glad to know someone else has done it.
Posted on 7/3/25 at 9:14 am to subMOA
It took a lot of training. I have too much land for an invisible fence and we tried all of the different GPS trackers/fences. They all suck to some degree, we settled on tractive and spent about 2 months training the dogs. If they hear a beep they haul arse back to the house now.
Posted on 7/3/25 at 10:07 am to subMOA
I have two GSP's (one bred, one rescue) and have fostered and re-homed a dozen other GSP's for TX/LA GSP Rescue.
I have also had a Vizsla and a Weim, so I feel like I am an expert in neurotic, high prey drive, athletic, velcro dogs that need stimulation.
So here is what I would recommend:
1. Doggie Door - a must otherwise you will get up to let them in/out 1000 times a day. They will signal to go out just to get you outside with them.
2. Training - they are highly intelligent and need training and love structure (although if he's 4, he is probably okay there, but NEVER too old to learn new rules)
3. Let them have the sofa with you. Trying to keep them off the sofas to lay with you is an exercise in futility.
4. Crate train them if he isn't already. Put the crate in the bedroom with you and you will never need to share your bed.
5, Daily exercise, even with a doggie door - daily walks, chasing squirrels, car rides, something every day. Skip a day and you'll realize quickly that you did.
5. With that kind of acreage, get the tracking collar and work with them so the beep is all you need for recall.
6. When you have him settled in and he learn the rules of the house, consider a second. One GSP is amazing, two is twice as cool, and yes, they do entertain each other.
7. Follow GSP Assholes on Facebook. It will make you laugh, cry, and show you that whatever yours is going through is normal.
GSP's are my favorite breed, and those derpy little frickers will love you more than you can think possible.
I have also had a Vizsla and a Weim, so I feel like I am an expert in neurotic, high prey drive, athletic, velcro dogs that need stimulation.
So here is what I would recommend:
1. Doggie Door - a must otherwise you will get up to let them in/out 1000 times a day. They will signal to go out just to get you outside with them.
2. Training - they are highly intelligent and need training and love structure (although if he's 4, he is probably okay there, but NEVER too old to learn new rules)
3. Let them have the sofa with you. Trying to keep them off the sofas to lay with you is an exercise in futility.
4. Crate train them if he isn't already. Put the crate in the bedroom with you and you will never need to share your bed.
5, Daily exercise, even with a doggie door - daily walks, chasing squirrels, car rides, something every day. Skip a day and you'll realize quickly that you did.
5. With that kind of acreage, get the tracking collar and work with them so the beep is all you need for recall.
6. When you have him settled in and he learn the rules of the house, consider a second. One GSP is amazing, two is twice as cool, and yes, they do entertain each other.
7. Follow GSP Assholes on Facebook. It will make you laugh, cry, and show you that whatever yours is going through is normal.
GSP's are my favorite breed, and those derpy little frickers will love you more than you can think possible.
This post was edited on 7/3/25 at 10:10 am
Posted on 7/3/25 at 10:23 am to Lakefront-Tiger
quote:
GSP's are my favorite breed, and those derpy little frickers will love you more than you can think possible.
So much truth in this. Mine has to have his snoot on me. He will sit on, move, step on, crawl over everything on the couch to sit next to me and lay his snoot on me.
He is also best buds with one of our cats which is quite comical watching them sleep together and cuddle.
Posted on 7/3/25 at 1:33 pm to subMOA
quote:
Man, I like that- my neighbor is a vet and sometimes in the am, her dogs will just cruise over to my house and come in and see what we’re up to. We’re surrounded by thousands of acres of farmland with only this road of houses and a neighborhood about a mile away…. I had thought the tracking collar would work….glad to know someone else has done it.
You’ll be fine. I had the same setup when I got a GSP. If they’ve got room to get the energy out, they’ll be chill.
Once we moved to town and all he had was a fenced in back yard, he seemed to get super bored and clingy.
It got to a point where I felt like I wasn’t giving him a good life anymore, so I let one of my H2A workers take him to live in Mexico. Last I heard, he’s back happy as can be just hanging out free roaming their village.
Posted on 7/3/25 at 2:17 pm to subMOA
I’m a German short haired pointer. I’m available immediately……
In all seriousness………
They are great dogs. Good family dogs. The ones I’ve had have always had a great relationship with kids.
They love to work puzzles. Hide and seek. Squeaky toys.
Get an electronic fence. Set your distance for them.
Exercise. Walks on the edge of wood lines.
They live longer than other hunting dogs. You have at least another 10 years with that dog. That’s a lot of memories.
Good luck. Have fun with
I have a Jagd Terrier. She is 3 years old. About 25 lbs. And just a ball of energy. Not scared of anything. Is a hunting fool.
In all seriousness………
They are great dogs. Good family dogs. The ones I’ve had have always had a great relationship with kids.
They love to work puzzles. Hide and seek. Squeaky toys.
Get an electronic fence. Set your distance for them.
Exercise. Walks on the edge of wood lines.
They live longer than other hunting dogs. You have at least another 10 years with that dog. That’s a lot of memories.
Good luck. Have fun with
I have a Jagd Terrier. She is 3 years old. About 25 lbs. And just a ball of energy. Not scared of anything. Is a hunting fool.
This post was edited on 7/3/25 at 2:21 pm
Posted on 7/3/25 at 3:40 pm to subMOA
I've had four GSPs. I have two currently. They are indeed very active dogs. My younger dog will stay outside and hunt the backyard staring into the trees until the sun goes down. She occupies herself that way. My 14 year old has trained the sofa to lie beneath her. Training is the key. They are hunting dogs and need to somewhat be trained as such. They train fairly easily. They are very instinctive and need to channel those instincts. Lack of training could prove to be a disaster. I train mine from the day I get them for at least a half hour a day for the first 9 months to a year, this becomes their reward. Recall is the most important thing to get right. Even if trained they will roam far from you on hunts and walks. I start using the check cord method, (the Delmar Smith method) and progress to a shock collar and eventually just a beeper. After the initial training, I take mine out to the woods as much as possible in the fall, winter and spring until it becomes too hot. I don't always hunt, but the dogs always do. They get a bad rap for being too active, but I think some of those people just liked the way they look and didn't take the whole dog into account. As the rest have said, they are great family dogs and will give you great memories. Good luck and enjoy!
This post was edited on 7/3/25 at 3:49 pm
Posted on 7/5/25 at 8:58 am to subMOA
Mine just turned 5. He’s still a little neurotic but definitely more chill than the 2-4 year old years. So I would say you’re getting him at a perfect age.
We just play fetch with ours. Once you bring out a ball or frisbee, he’s 100% locked in and goes into work mode. It’s crazy how he’ll chase birds, run across to street to visit neighbors, etc. but if he’s in work mode, nothing distracts him.
We just got a doodle so the doodle is keeping him active when not working him outside.
We just play fetch with ours. Once you bring out a ball or frisbee, he’s 100% locked in and goes into work mode. It’s crazy how he’ll chase birds, run across to street to visit neighbors, etc. but if he’s in work mode, nothing distracts him.
We just got a doodle so the doodle is keeping him active when not working him outside.
Posted on 7/5/25 at 10:29 am to subMOA
We have more GSPs to keep them occupied. I have 4 that live in our home and our lot is 40' wide. They adapt pretty well, but they also like to run and swim whenever they can. As hunting season gets closer, we will run them on bikes
Posted on 7/22/25 at 9:49 am to subMOA
Update in OP
Posted on 7/22/25 at 9:58 am to subMOA
Congrats on the pup, great looking dog
Posted on 7/22/25 at 10:18 am to subMOA
glad it's working out well for you. That's a beautiful dog.
I don't have a GSP but I have a really high strung lab. I have one of those tennis ball atlatl things that can launch a ball 100+ yards. I take her to a field by the house every day and it takes 30 to 45 minutes of playing fetch for her to start slowing up. I'll take her to a pond to swim on the weekends. If I don't she's pacing all day.
I don't have a GSP but I have a really high strung lab. I have one of those tennis ball atlatl things that can launch a ball 100+ yards. I take her to a field by the house every day and it takes 30 to 45 minutes of playing fetch for her to start slowing up. I'll take her to a pond to swim on the weekends. If I don't she's pacing all day.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 11:06 am to subMOA
quote:
For those of you with GSP knowledge…what did you do to keep them occupied? We live in a rural area on a couple acres. Not out of the question for three of the four people in this house to bring him on a 2-3 mile run every day. I heard they really like mental stimulation- like hiding things and giving them jobs. Any advice on rehoming a 4 year old dog? Can he make this transition? Our house atmosphere is VERY laid back.
You solved half the problem by getting a 4 year old.
Highly trainable, but there’s a lot in those first few years you kind of have to endure!
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