pet or friend?

[rosscrazyelk]

I have read many peoples opinion on how to treat their dog so it is a hunting dog and not a family member. I was just wondering what kind of success other people have had and how do they treat their dogs. I personally let my dog in the house and treat him as my friend. I know some guys who never let their dogs inside and kennel them every night and only play with them when it is time to train or hunt. What do you do and do you think it makes a difference?

[bow4elk]

I don't agree with the "dogs is a tool" mentality.  Not saying it doesn't work, but I believe it makes no difference in hunting performance whether you dog is "part of the family", in fact, dogs are pack animals.  Once you establish your dogs place in the pack, he/she will behave accordingly.  And dogs like having a job (especially retrievers) to do.  Hunting is a treat for many dogs and they thrive on doing "good" for the alpha (you).  Besides you want a dog that is socialized and not going to growl at people or other dogs.  That is very important.

Follow your gut and do what works for you and your family.

[KillBilly]

I don't agree with the "dogs is a tool" mentality.  Not saying it doesn't work, but I believe it makes no difference in hunting performance whether you dog is "part of the family", in fact, dogs are pack animals.  Once you establish your dogs place in the pack, he/she will behave accordingly.  And dogs like having a job (especially retrievers) to do.  Hunting is a treat for many dogs and they thrive on doing "good" for the alpha (you).  Besides you want a dog that is socialized and not going to growl at people or other dogs.  That is very important.

Follow your gut and do what works for you and your family.

+1

[Wacenturion]

I don't agree with the "dogs is a tool" mentality.  Not saying it doesn't work, but I believe it makes no difference in hunting performance whether you dog is "part of the family", in fact, dogs are pack animals.  Once you establish your dogs place in the pack, he/she will behave accordingly.  And dogs like having a job (especially retrievers) to do.  Hunting is a treat for many dogs and they thrive on doing "good" for the alpha (you).  Besides you want a dog that is socialized and not going to growl at people or other dogs.  That is very important.

Follow your gut and do what works for you and your family.

+2

[dbllunger]

I think as long as you maintain their working status, having them as a great pet is an added bonus.  The issue I have is when people turn them into pets, and ride the dog like crazy because they have hunting problems.  The problems were/are caused by the owner not the dog.  Dogs are dogs, but treating them nice is expected.  Does that mean the dang thing belongs in a restaurant, business, or other general public place?  Hell no, but then again I have never seen too many hunting dogs being treated like those little coyote baits. 

[benbo30]

I don't agree with the "dogs is a tool" mentality.  Not saying it doesn't work, but I believe it makes no difference in hunting performance whether you dog is "part of the family", in fact, dogs are pack animals.  Once you establish your dogs place in the pack, he/she will behave accordingly.  And dogs like having a job (especially retrievers) to do.  Hunting is a treat for many dogs and they thrive on doing "good" for the alpha (you).  Besides you want a dog that is socialized and not going to growl at people or other dogs.  That is very important.

Follow your gut and do what works for you and your family.

+3

[Bigshooter]

I don't agree with the "dogs is a tool" mentality.  Not saying it doesn't work, but I believe it makes no difference in hunting performance whether you dog is "part of the family", in fact, dogs are pack animals.  Once you establish your dogs place in the pack, he/she will behave accordingly.  And dogs like having a job (especially retrievers) to do.  Hunting is a treat for many dogs and they thrive on doing "good" for the alpha (you).  Besides you want a dog that is socialized and not going to growl at people or other dogs.  That is very important.

Follow your gut and do what works for you and your family.







+4

[Birdguy]

I too agree with bow4elk. I tend to look at our dogs as pets 300 days a year and hunting partners for the short season. That being said, a dog can be a trained hunting partner that is worked year round on hunting but still needs a bunch of time to just be a dog/pet. The OWNER must remember that you will only get out what you put into any relationship. If you pull your pet out opening weekend and expect it to perform like the dogs on "bird dog challenge" I would expect you will be disappointed. However if you start working it in the evenings a month or so before the opener you and the dog will enjoy it a lot more .

[AngelFace]

I will always treat a dog as part of the family. Dogs are the type of animal that if you treat them good they will return the favor. A dog can be trained to be both a wonderful family companion and a hunting buddy. It just all depends on how you train them. It is all up to you.

One of my most favorite quotes:
"A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbols means nothing to her. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give her your heart and she will give you hers. It is really quite simple, and yet we humans, so much wiser and more sophisticated, have always had trouble figuring out what really counts and what does not."

[Intruder]

I don't think I've seen anything in the posts above that I disagree with. A person is really missing out on the joys of having a dog if they are keeping them just as a tool.  Some of the the best advice I've ever heard echos Birdguy's post about it being a pet 300 days a year. 

"Pick your hunting dog fully expecting him/her to be a pet and family member 95% of the time and a hunting dog 5%". 

Think about someone who really hunts a ton... they're probably only using their dog 20 or 30 days a year. 

[SpokaneSlayer]

I completely agree.  I just got a pup 3 weeks ago.  I think he's going to be a good hunter if I do my part in training him.  And if he isn't, so be it.  I won't love him any less and he won't be any less than a member of the family.

[Rowdy]

I know some people choose to leave their hunting dogs kenneled and only let them out to hunt, train, and exercise.  I choose different and I'm not saying one way is right or wrong but I like the companionship my dog provides and the fact that he is a pretty darn good hunter is just a bonus.  He could be a complete dud in the field and he would still be my best friend.  The old adage "you'll ruin a hunting dog by letting them be part of the family" is completely false.  My guy is a goofy dork who likes to lay around and chew on toys 340 days a year but those other 25 he is a hunting machine.  To each their own, but for me dogs are part of the family.

Jake

[merlo105]

It makes no difference at all I have had them out side in side in my bed anywhere they want to be. You got a good dog you have a good dog, You dont then well sell it. get a better one. Its all up to everyone some of the best dogs I know couch potatos untill its business time, that goes for some Hall of famers coach potatos untill it was time to win. Its all the dog. Probably a more comfortable dog a dog thats in doors would do better why not hes warm and happy.

[mossback91]

Dogs are COMPANION animals we cannot own them............. oh wait wrong forum....

[firecrotch]

the best hunting dogs ive seen are dogs that are always with their owner,(at work, in the house, or just in the cab of the truck)

[ducksdoom12]

I don't agree with the "dogs is a tool" mentality.  Not saying it doesn't work, but I believe it makes no difference in hunting performance whether you dog is "part of the family", in fact, dogs are pack animals.  Once you establish your dogs place in the pack, he/she will behave accordingly.  And dogs like having a job (especially retrievers) to do.  Hunting is a treat for many dogs and they thrive on doing "good" for the alpha (you).  Besides you want a dog that is socialized and not going to growl at people or other dogs.  That is very important.

Follow your gut and do what works for you and your family.

+5

[MichaelJ]

Dogs are COMPANION animals we cannot own them............. oh wait wrong forum....

LoL!

[Pathfinder101]

Just got a Yellow Lab last week, so I am reading Game Dog by Richard Wolters.  He is a very opinionated guy and makes no bones about his belief that a working dog should be a pet AND a hunter.  He also said that if you "give your dog a job" (hunting, retrieving..etc..) they are much happier pets.  All my dogs have been pets and hunters.  Nice to hear it from an "expert" though...

[Grizzle]

Just reading Joan Bailey's book  "How to help gun dogs train themselves", she's also of the pet+working dog opinion.  She's got the experience to back it up. 

[docsven]

Grandpa had one of the most serious hunting dogs I can remember, and the dog was always with him, so the dog rode up front with grandpa and the kids had to ride in the back of the truck.

[Aneoakleaf]

My husband always said, Raise the dogs like you would your kid and the kids like you would your dog

[canyonduck]

I'm proud of my friends.  Pets just take up space.  My dog belongs in the former defintion.

[Pathfinder101]

My husband always said, Raise the dogs like you would your kid and the kids like you would your dog

Hmmm, I may start using that...