Adopting my brother's dog

[Skillet]

Looking for a little advice from the dog gurus.  Here's the story-

My brother's dog needs to find a new home.  He's a 4 year old Yellow Lab/Shepard mix (looks like 90% or better lab to me), and is pretty good sized.  Last trip to the vet put him at 115#, and he's not fat.  I don't want to see him go anywhere outside of the family, as he is part of the family already.  He is well behaved (he DOES have some energy, though!), great with kids (they have an 18 month old), and has never eaten people food (well, unless it fell off of my neice's tray, I'd bet).  I'm single and work some long days, occasionally.  My retired neighbor has offered to walk him every day (she loves shepards and used to have them, so she is used to largish dogs) while I'm at work, and I can provide him a doggy door to go in/out of the basement when he wants while I'm away.  On my weekend time, I like to get out and fish, hunt, hike, drive, etc.  Fun dog stuff.  I'm not a homebody or a couch potato at all.  I will be able to provide him a good, loving, stable home that will allow him to go visit his "Original Family" fairly often.

My issue is, I've always wanted a lab for hunting birds - both waterfowl and some upland work.  This dog has never been around a gun (brother does not do any outdoors stuff outside of camping once a year or so).  Am I going to be able to get him to take to being around guns at his age?  Does the shepard in him "nix" any of the good qualities of the lab for hunting?  Does his size, aside from the obvious feed/vet issues, give any indication of problems with birding in the future?

I'd really like to hear about any experiences people have had with dogs of this mix / size / age.

[Special T]

Does he play fetch? Is he scared at the 4th of july? get him a bird wing and see what he does... I've heard of some srange breeds used for huntng uplands and ducks.... take him out, leash him up with your bro, thow a ball or bumper for him and shoot your shotgun... Never know unless you try???

[Rick]

There is a guy on Ifish that hunts with a couple dog pound mutts. Total Heinz 57 type dogs.

He posts some impressive pics of their hunts together.

If they're smart enough,you can train a dog to do just about anything.

[Skillet]

He does seem like a smart dog, and loves to play catch.  The 4th got him a little skittish when he was a young pup, but he seems to have mellowed out on that a little.

I'll get the bro to take him out with me for a little catch/shooting.  Will be a fun day!  Should I start out with the .22 pistol and move up to the shotgun from there?  Obviously, really new at training dogs...

[seth30]

associate gun fire with fun.  I trained my labs by taking them to the gun range every weekend.  Not only did they get a ride in the truck, but they got treats, and to meet other guys, and dogs.  Worked for me

[Skillet]

associate gun fire with fun.  I trained my labs by taking them to the gun range every weekend.  Not only did they get a ride in the truck, but they got treats, and to meet other guys, and dogs.  Worked for me

Great idea - thanks!

[Rick]

He does seem like a smart dog, and loves to play catch.  The 4th got him a little skittish when he was a young pup, but he seems to have mellowed out on that a little.

I'll get the bro to take him out with me for a little catch/shooting.  Will be a fun day!  Should I start out with the .22 pistol and move up to the shotgun from there?  Obviously, really new at training dogs...

My dad worked with me when we exposed my lab to gunfire for the first time. I was shooting the shotgun and he had her on a leash. He started about 100yds out and slowly got closer as I was shooting. By the end of the day she was standing next to me without a care in the world.

[Skillet]

Thanks for the tip, Rick.

Here's a picture of the mutt


He knows he can't have those crackers at his feet that she "shared" with him, and it's killing him - but he's a good boy and won't eat them!

[Special T]

He looks plenty lab to me! takem off your bros hands so he can be guilt free and enjoy a new hunting buddy!

[gaddy]

does he swim?

[Skillet]

Bro says he does swim - I've never had him out to the lake.

Here's another shot of him -




Thanks for the input, guys - I'm going to go ahead and take him.  Re-confirmed with the retired neighbor lady to walk him every day, spent yesterday dog-proofing the back yard, putting in a doggy door into the basement, etc.  As soon as the bro gets back from training in February we're going to go out and have a "field day" with the ol' Browning.

[BallisticsNut]

You mentioned your "new" to training dogs.

Obviously, really new at training dogs...

  The wrong training can ruin a good dog.  For your sake and the dogs.  Find a good adult dog obedience class for mature dogs.  Spend the time and money, it will be a lesson that will stay with you the rest of your life.  Not to mention give you a better relationship with your new friend and understand "why" dogs do the things they do.  Its really really important for all dog owners! 

Secondly, all dogs that do not get enough exercise will have problems.  Most people dont understand that most dogs with problemsome behavior is not the fault of the dog but the dog owner for not getting them out and exercising their brains and muscles.  Dogs need to work, they thrive in a working environment.  You keep a dog locked up all day in the house, then come home after work exhausted. (even if the neighbor walks him daily) You still have to get up and out and work with him, train him, play with him and make sure he gets mental stimulation.  If you dont, a good dog can go south.   

[Curly]

I love the pics of him and your niece.  Very cute.

I bet he'll make an excellent waterfowl dog.  If he has the patience to sit there and not eat those snacks in front of him, he should do excellent in a duck blind.  Being a little large, he may not have the stamina that a smaller dog might to upland hunt all day, but he'll probably still have fun and so will you and that is what really counts.  

Congrats on the new companion and good luck.

[Skillet]

Thanks, everybody. 

BallisticsNut - Great points.  He has been through obedience training, but I sure haven't.  My bro and I have been talking about how to best transition him, and all options are on the table.  Ultimately, what's best for the dog is going to be the acid test.  I understand what you're saying about letting a dog "sit" during the day.  I've seen that happen too often myself, and made myself available as an option only if the other two families (both with stay-at-home moms and young kids) that had expressed interest backed off.  That's why I had to do some soul searching, dig deep and make sure I was ready for taking on a dog this size with these needs.  I've made the commitment to do what it takes to keep him worked out.  If that means running him in the morning before work, and again when I get home, then that's what I'll do.  I really like the idea of the adult dog obedience class.

Curly, it's pretty funny to watch those two together.  He knows the rules about eating people food, but she's been taught it's nice to share!  I'll make sure they get to visit each other often - you never know, she may be part of the next generation of hunters (if Uncle Skillet has anything to do with it, anyway  )

[lokidog]

You'll do fine, because you're worried about not doing well for the dog. 

I had a healer/lab mix, smart, pain in the butt dog but when I ran her for two miles after work, she was like a completely different dog, smart and fun to have around.  She also loved to duck hunt.

Good luck and have fun.

[L8NITE]

I use to accustom all my pups with a cap gun way before a shotgun was introduced...If you can associate loud noises with something good such as feeding time he will be more wound up about the positive he recieves versus the loud noises IE: gunfire. As was mentioned in the post the wrong training can do way more harm then good. He is a beautiful looking dog. Good luck in your training and most of all enjoy him know matter what happens. Also A good learning book for waterfowlers is Water Dog by Richard Wolters.

[Skillet]

Thanks Lokidog!

L8NITE - You're the second person that's suggested that book.  I will pick up a copy.

I definitely get the point - slow and easy, much harder (if not impossible) to "undo" a bad experience for him than to take the time to make sure the exposures to gun noise are set up and done right.