Should you show affection to hog dogs?

[SCHitemHard]

all my dogs slept in my room, some on the bed some under it. i feel you hunt as a pack you should act as one , when i would step out in the woods they are gone but when im at home they stay by my feet

[TimmsHogDogs]

all my dogs slept in my room, some on the bed some under it. i feel you hunt as a pack you should act as one , when i would step out in the woods they are gone but when im at home they stay by my feet

While mine dont sleep in bed with me, I have the same concept with my dogs, I do not pet bay/strike dogs in the woods and dont really pet the catchdogs, after the hunt they will get attention because they have done what they were suppose to do

[YELLOWBLACKMASK]

My style is socialize the pups to the point of being able to handle them. I ususally drastically drop personal contact with them after that point and let them absorb themself with their peers or adult dogs to attempt and establish a pack mentallity. I usually attempt to kennel pups with older pups already working or finished dogs if they are not to agressive in the attempt to build bonds. Affection after that point only comes when they accomplish tasks or milestones but I still keep it to a minimum. If they are injured they get VIP and full affection until recovered and back in running order. When I retire a dog to stud or full retirement they get affection every day for the rest of their life along with all the perks....running loose, ect.. My view has always been the same.. Hunting dogs are a tool that I utilize for working ability only. I do not raise mine as pets in any sort of way, thats what I keep a seperate pet dog for the family that can be as worthless as it wants. My belief on this matter is perty simple, this is an addiction to me personally and I cannot afford to keep a tool that does not produce up to its own worth. It also desensitizes you as a handler for the inevitable that everyone will face if you stay in this sport long enough. I have lost to many over the years to take that kinda hurt built from a close personal bond with each dog. I lean toward the views of the handlers on here that choose to distance themselves from their hunting dogs because as stated above I don't want them hanging around wanting lovin in the woods. ITS GAME TIME OR GAME OVER!

This post is in no way a jab at the views of anyone else just my own personal way of training.   

I understand and respect everyones different style that is what keeps it interesting in here   

[Oly]

I haven’t read the whole thread, BUT WILL, I gotta get to work, but I will throw this thought of mine, if it has been already said I apologize.

 I pet ALL my dogs often, BUT I am a bit of a stickler in the woods, I DO NOT like my dogs petted while they are working--- I could be wrong BUT I was taught it teaches them to stay close instead of ranging out ---NOW--- after words while they in the box or at home I like kids to play with them and I like them to COME TO ME WHEN CALLED that takes a considerable amount of interaction on my part, so they learn to trust me and that it’s OK and GOOD to come when called. 

I enjoy ALL ASPECTS of dog care, breeding, hunting and training and that also includes affection which in my personal opinion is an integral aspect of training.

[let-em-go-10]

My girl babies are catch dogs also plays fetch with my female. My big pit is a big baby at the house but once I back my truck up with the dog box on it. It's like a switch gets turned on. So if your dog is game it doesn't matter how much u baby him his gonna be ready do roll when u load them up. Like they say when the tailgate drops the bullnumber 2 stops. They either have it or they don't. If he don't want to go hunt out it's cause he just don't want to that's jmo.

[Dexter]

. Like they say when the tailgate drops the bullnumber 2 stops. They either have it or they don't. If he don't want to go hunt out it's cause he just don't want to that's jmo.

X2
 I bring all my dogs in the house at one time or another, and want a dog that will call out and come when called  I hunt alot by myself and want a dog to like me and will give it thier all and bail my my out of a bind if need be
    my .02
 Dexter

[Reuben]

So if your dog is game it doesn't matter how much u baby him his gonna be ready do roll when u load them up. Like they say when the tailgate drops the bullnumber 2 stops. They either have it or they don't. If he don't want to go hunt out it's cause he just don't want to that's jmo.

didn't want to say it but this is true...if the dog has hunt it will hunt no matter what but I pretty much agree with Yellowblackmask...the main thing is to make sure the dog is social towards family.

[Bryant]

My style is socialize the pups to the point of being able to handle them. I ususally drastically drop personal contact with them after that point and let them absorb themself with their peers or adult dogs to attempt and establish a pack mentallity. I usually attempt to kennel pups with older pups already working or finished dogs if they are not to agressive in the attempt to build bonds. Affection after that point only comes when they accomplish tasks or milestones but I still keep it to a minimum. If they are injured they get VIP and full affection until recovered and back in running order. When I retire a dog to stud or full retirement they get affection every day for the rest of their life along with all the perks....running loose, ect.. My view has always been the same.. Hunting dogs are a tool that I utilize for working ability only. I do not raise mine as pets in any sort of way, thats what I keep a seperate pet dog for the family that can be as worthless as it wants. My belief on this matter is perty simple, this is an addiction to me personally and I cannot afford to keep a tool that does not produce up to its own worth. It also desensitizes you as a handler for the inevitable that everyone will face if you stay in this sport long enough. I have lost to many over the years to take that kinda hurt built from a close personal bond with each dog. I lean toward the views of the handlers on here that choose to distance themselves from their hunting dogs because as stated above I don't want them hanging around wanting lovin in the woods. ITS GAME TIME OR GAME OVER!

This post is in no way a jab at the views of anyone else just my own personal way of training.   

I understand and respect everyones different style that is what keeps it interesting in here   

That about sums it up for me.  My working dogs are my working dogs.  The kids occasionally mess with them a bit at the kennels, but for the most part it's hands off.  Over the years I can probably count on two fingers the number of dogs who were handled as pets that impressed me as hunting dogs.  I've also been personal witness to PLENTY of well bred dogs that I feel were screwed up royally due to too much handling.

[Reuben]

Btyant,

is it too much handling or could it be the wrong kind of handling?

examples of what I mean

calling the dogs and petting them and the dogs are being conditioned to pull off the track.

The pup is winding a hog but the handler is not paying attention to what the pup is doing or doesn't have a clue. The handler calls the pup and sends him ahead of the wheeler. To me, the pup is being conditioned to not be what he could be...I see this often and this is why one pup can shine with one handler and not the other...in this case the handler should stop the wheeler and give the pup a chance to work out the track. The pup needs to know you are hunting with him and he is not just having to worry about keeping up with the handler. Of course there is more to this but only a few examples.

[Hamilton_hogger]

ALLWAYS SHOW AFFECTION TO  YOUR DOGS ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY DO THE RITE THANG

[Mike]

My style is socialize the pups to the point of being able to handle them. I ususally drastically drop personal contact with them after that point and let them absorb themself with their peers or adult dogs to attempt and establish a pack mentallity. I usually attempt to kennel pups with older pups already working or finished dogs if they are not to agressive in the attempt to build bonds. Affection after that point only comes when they accomplish tasks or milestones but I still keep it to a minimum. If they are injured they get VIP and full affection until recovered and back in running order. When I retire a dog to stud or full retirement they get affection every day for the rest of their life along with all the perks....running loose, ect.. My view has always been the same.. Hunting dogs are a tool that I utilize for working ability only. I do not raise mine as pets in any sort of way, thats what I keep a seperate pet dog for the family that can be as worthless as it wants. My belief on this matter is perty simple, this is an addiction to me personally and I cannot afford to keep a tool that does not produce up to its own worth. It also desensitizes you as a handler for the inevitable that everyone will face if you stay in this sport long enough. I have lost to many over the years to take that kinda hurt built from a close personal bond with each dog. I lean toward the views of the handlers on here that choose to distance themselves from their hunting dogs because as stated above I don't want them hanging around wanting lovin in the woods. ITS GAME TIME OR GAME OVER!

This post is in no way a jab at the views of anyone else just my own personal way of training.   

I understand and respect everyones different style that is what keeps it interesting in here   

X3... seen way to many people get attached to their hunting dogs or try to turn their pets into hunting dogs. First time something bad happens, that usually ends their hog hunting career.

[Bryant]

Reuben,

The "too much handling" I speak of occurs before the dogs/pups ever hit the woods.

Lots of people can't stand having cute little puppies around without wanting to continually mess with them.  I don't see cute little puppies...I see future jam-up hunting dogs.

If you prefer shorter range hunting dogs and like them to stay somewhat near, I don't think it makes so much difference.

[skunkhounds]

i love on mine from day one and they hunt just fine  for me. a dog thats going to hunt will hunt a dog that wont wont

[let-em-go-10]

i love on mine from day one and they hunt just fine  for me. a dog thats going to hunt will hunt a dog that wont wont

 X2

[Coady Curbow]

Some of the best, long range, hog finders that I have ever seen didn't care if there was a person hunting with them or not.  I lean toward the dogs that really don't want your affection, but will let you put hands on them if you want to.  I like dogs that load in the truck to go hunting and load after its over, the only time I handle them is to put tracking collars on them.  My two young boys feed them nearly every day and pet every one of them and the dogs as well as the boys really enjoy it.

[let-em-go-10]

 Doing the petting and stuff at home is fine. I just don't understand why anyone would be hugging and petting babying the dogs out on the field, if u do well then I don't know if u should be out hunting lol. After a catch I tap my dogs and the head and say good job boy or whatever. I don't get down on my knees and start hugging them for catching a pig.

[djhogdogger]

 One thing that Ive noticed about dogs is that  they all have very different levels of independence. Some are born leaders and some are very lowly and dependent on their leaders. The dogs that have low self worth and are always looking for leadership are the ones that need less interaction with people, and more interaction with other dogs ....I think. Because once they see you as the leader they want to be up your behind. So yes, some dogs do well with lots of attention while others do not. So this subject isn't black and white. But just to be sure, we don't over do the attention until our pups are getting out and hunting well.

[FLBayNSlay]

My style is socialize the pups to the point of being able to handle them. I ususally drastically drop personal contact with them after that point and let them absorb themself with their peers or adult dogs to attempt and establish a pack mentallity. I usually attempt to kennel pups with older pups already working or finished dogs if they are not to agressive in the attempt to build bonds. Affection after that point only comes when they accomplish tasks or milestones but I still keep it to a minimum. If they are injured they get VIP and full affection until recovered and back in running order. When I retire a dog to stud or full retirement they get affection every day for the rest of their life along with all the perks....running loose, ect.. My view has always been the same.. Hunting dogs are a tool that I utilize for working ability only. I do not raise mine as pets in any sort of way, thats what I keep a seperate pet dog for the family that can be as worthless as it wants. My belief on this matter is perty simple, this is an addiction to me personally and I cannot afford to keep a tool that does not produce up to its own worth. It also desensitizes you as a handler for the inevitable that everyone will face if you stay in this sport long enough. I have lost to many over the years to take that kinda hurt built from a close personal bond with each dog. I lean toward the views of the handlers on here that choose to distance themselves from their hunting dogs because as stated above I don't want them hanging around wanting lovin in the woods. ITS GAME TIME OR GAME OVER!

This post is in no way a jab at the views of anyone else just my own personal way of training.   

I understand and respect everyones different style that is what keeps it interesting in here   

PERFECT, Couldnt of said it any better myself, Im glad there's someone out there that shares my thoughts..

[YELLOWBLACKMASK]

And again guys my post is not to call anyone out on their personal views or beliefs, so please nobody take that as a jab at your way of training. But as stated above especially on the building a close bond with your dogs. I speak from personal experience on that issue due to having done that very thing and then going through the pain of loosing a dog in the field when I first started out.

Everyone is wired different and can handle a situation different. But I would venture to say everyone that has extremly close attachments to their dogs cannot just deal with the situation on the spot and move on accordingly to finish out a hunt without litteraly coming apart or having a major hangup that effects the current situation you find yourself in. I know the answer that everyone will usually give due to not wanting to be thought of as a begginer or whatever, but everyone take a minute to consider how many dogs you have PERSONALLY lost in your hunting career and how it effected you (Not some buddies dog). If you can can keep your hunting dogs close close as part of your family and have lost numerous not just 1 or 2 but 20 or more and can keep going in this game without hesitation you are way ahead of where I can stay mentally.

I may have came out as a cold hearted individual to some about my dogs, but is truly further from the truth. I care a great deal about them and provide everything that they require. Again when they get cut down I realize that is a situation I placed them into and react accordingly providing VIP service to them for their sacrifice. I havn't retired many dogs just an unfoutunate part of this game, but the ones that do make it continue to live a life of luxury because they have earned every right from me to be spoiled.

To everyone that can accomplish these feats and continue to operate at full capacity you truly have my respect and should be proud because you are a very strong willed individual or a lucky sucker that time may prove to reveal a harsh reality in the end.

Truly I wish everyone the best of luck with your program and will say it to everyone "If it works for you thats all that truly matters".

Myles

[dan]

I socialize and handle pups like crazy, because it works for them.  
I pet dogs on the head when we catch a hog because they work for me.  
That's really all the affection they get.    
I only pet the house dog to impress my wife.