EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

Doesn't seem to exist in today's day and age as much as it used to way back when.
My post is in regards to integrity, but specifically pertaining to the dog world. My family is first of course, but next in line comes my dogs. I take my dogs very seriously, and I take great pride in my dogs. I put a lot of time and effort into my dogs...as one should...and given my debilitating back condition, it takes a bit of 'extra' effort, on my part to properly maintain my portion of the yard to my standard. That being said, what ever happened to someone's word meaning something? Now, I have met a couple folks, through this forum actually, who I now consider my friends, through interactions pertaining to dogs. So I know there are still a few folks out there who stand behind their word, but it seems that as of today, these very people are the minority. I personally have never done or participated in any shady or untruthful wrong doings in the dog world, nor have I EVER broken my word on any verbal agreements pertaining to a dog. I have however, been on the receiving end of people breaking their word, and it's definitely not a good feeling. We've farmed out dogs to people in the past on the stipulation that said dogs MUST come back to US if they decide to no longer feed said dogs, only to later find out that said dogs were given away or passed on to a complete stranger. I've purchased a dog, which was supposedly coming with a VALID registration, only to find out after I paid to have the registration sent in for a transfer of ownership, that the prior owner's signature was forged. Upon contacting the party I purchased the dog from, I was told she had no idea the signature was forged, and that she'd refund my money, only then for me to never hear from her or be able to reach her again. It's not even that the paperwork was a big deal (no real use for it other than a reference anyway), it's the principal that I was TOLD I was getting that dog's legit registration, and that's not what I got. I have paid to have dogs transported to me that were supposed to have legit paperwork, told I'd be sent paperwork, only to never receive it. Again, I am aware that the dog proves it's worth all in all, not the papers, but I was given someone's word that I'd be getting it, and that word was broken. It's simple really. Be truthful....when words come out of your mouth....stand behind them, no matter what. Do as you say you're going to do, or don't say anything. A correlation of past events/experiences has led to me 'venting' here if you will. So folks, if you have friends, or people you KNOW you can trust in the dog community, be thankful, because people like that seem to be a dying breed nowadays.

Integrity is a word that most individuals clearly do not understand, I agree with you 100%.  I have had the great opportunity to get into this sport by some very trustworthy people.

The issue that I have had to deal with is the reputation that some Hog Doggers have. Some land owners are not very receptive to letting me run my dogs, but after some persuasion they have come around and see the professionalism I have demonstrated.  It is unfortunate that a few people have represented the sport in a negative way to only group the majority of hunters in this category. 

The site has help me tremendously with training and how to avoid getting into certain situations when dealing with landowners and self proclaim dog breeders.  I truly believe the majority of the fine folks on here have good integrity and honesty as well.