Should you show affection to hog dogs?

[dub]

I think many people think about but I did not see it. For me it is control and me being in charge of everything. That includes affection. I lost a good guard dog to a lab because they all wanted affection. I do believe the dogs need affection. But I say when and how much not the dogs. I will go out and give affection. I say the dog's name and that is the only dog I will pet. If a dog jumps on they will get shoved back hard. I call each dog one at a time so each gets a turn unless they are not waiting their turn with dog patience. They get excited but should wait. If they won't wait I put them in a kennel and then pet the other dogs one at a time. Then the next time I start with them and see if they turn off when told. It is the same reason I pet them when I give them food. I expect them to let me touch them any time. My dogs don't sit, stay or roll over but they know I am in charge.

[halfbreed]

i've said it before i'll say it again . back in the day's of ol are hunting dogs were as well the family pets and household gaurd dogs . every dog i plan on keeping and putting my time into is welcome in my house for a while to learn me and bond with me and after that at spaced out intervals cause i cant let them all in at once and as a result of much affection and bonding i don't hunt with my dogs my dogs hunt with me . i'll only have a dog that hunts medium range and if nothing there check back in and i decide to go further or go someplace else . i have never in 45 some odd years had a dog that wouldn't hunt because of being to overly socialiezed. and after all i am out hog hunting and not dog hunting. i'll take my dogs out to the pond and play fetch in the summer months and as well be exercising them i will never walk past one of my dogs and sling em feed without stopping to scratch there ears and talking to em thats the way i been doing it since my first little rabbit dog back in 1962 my best beagle was my mommas house dog talk about spoiled !! and he led the pack in anybody's company. coon hounds hog dogs or what ever ain't no differant just my 25 cents worth.

[Reuben]

This thread has had excellent posts/responses.

A well bred dog will hunt and I don't believe too much affection will keep it from hunting. A so so borderline dog might be affected but this kind of dog will be on the replacement list first chance I get.

[BobbyB]

My dogs are all raised inside til they are 3-4 months old. My bird dogs love attention more than any dog I have, but when we hunt, they are all business.

Blade will walk up and fall over wnating his belly rubbed with my foot, but when we turn him out, he is out and about. Same with all my dogs. The young dogs hang around but in my eye, because they are not sure what they should be doing.


We lay rub one's head when he is on the truck, but when they get put down, that stops. When I call them to the truck and we load them, I will pat them on the side and tell em good dog, but that is about all the attention they get in the woods. At home, Its whatever I feel like, belly rubbing, head and ears, whatever.

I have asked this and have seen it come up several times. I also asked the folks that wanted my pups how much attention they would get.

Raise and hunt yours your way and I will do the same for mine. But I really dont see how it can affect a dog  and would even suggest if the dog continues to hang around, it may be a bit short on drive.

[bayed hard hog dogs]

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   

myles I fill the same way it very well may not be the best way but its the best for me.
And I also figure that's the reason I didn't get a pup from Bobby b he ask me how I show affection to my puppies I told him the same thing, but all is good I no the game and what works for me.  No hard filling with anyone on here and not a jab at bobby just seen his post above.

[YELLOWBLACKMASK]

I always enjoy these discussions. They usually turn up very interesting or very productive ideas. I truly believe there is no right or wrong way...just your way if it works. I enjoy the debates even if there are two totally different sides that wont give on either. At the end of all these posts we are all here for the same reason. ....Birds of a feather flock together...

A man that does not leave himself open to new ideas is realitively stuck in his own ideology and thus for cannot continue to learn anything else.

Great post guys keep it going.

[wilton]

There are a lot of good/great ideas, and opinions on here, just like there are a lot of good owners and good dogs that respect one another. Whatever works best for you and your dogs, has got to be good for all of you. Too bad our government can't learn from such simplicity.

[BobbyB]

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  

myles I fill the same way it very well may not be the best way but its the best for me.
And I also figure that's the reason I didn't get a pup from Bobby b he ask me how I show affection to my puppies I told him the same thing, but all is good I no the game and what works for me.  No hard filling with anyone on here and not a jab at bobby just seen his post above.

Actually I had 16 people wanting one of 10 pups. I decided to just keep one and let 9 go. You were about 13 on the list. The way you described to me how you raise your pups didnt play into it . If there had been 13 pups you would  have had one. I was actually wanting one or 2 to go to guys like yourself to see how being raised differently would make the pups turn out. But I did the same with these pups as I do with my Brittanys. Pick in order I am contacted.

One of the biggest draw backs to being close to your dogs is when something happens to one of em, it tends to hit you a little harder. I know everyone feels bad to loose a good dog regardless how it was raised, but for me at least, it is just a little tougher.

[Strike Dog Kennels]

It all depends on a guys definition of a hunting dog.  I'll talk about "Strike Dogs".  Some won't label them a good strike dog unless they leave the truck running and don't come back until a hog is found.  You know, lots of range and bottom.  Some folks are ok with strike dogs that hang around close, within 20 yards and never leave.  It depends on your hunting style.  I think this quote is right on.

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.

"As for the long range strike dogs".  More than not, if you want the dog to stay close then you put more of a "handle" on him.  If you want the dog to leave out then you build a working relationship with him.  I've never had a long range jam up dog that once he was finished hunting that he was hard to catch.  The only time those dogs are hard to catch is while they are hunting.  One of my training secrets for a strike dog is, while they are hunting hogs I do not teach them the command no or stop or any command of that kind.  If you turn mine out you can not call them back for awhile.  I was once told by a partner of mine that a good find dog is like a machine.  All he needs is someone to turn the button on and let him go.  Thats what I prefer in a find dog.  My experience with them is they, will reach a point to where they don't care it they are petted or not.  Only when they are fed and after the hunt.  Yeah its agervating to try to catch a dog at the truck that wont come to you, but Ive seen several that instead of loading up they will go back to the woods and hunt.  I tried bringing the hunting dogs in the house and they crapped on ever thing they could.  They chased ever cat I owned and chewed up all the legs on the chairs.

It just depends on your preference and hunting styles.  More than not.  If you want the dog to stay close you baby him more.  If you want the dog to leave out you build a working relationship with him.

i've said it before i'll say it again . back in the day's of ol are hunting dogs were as well the family pets and household gaurd dogs . every dog i plan on keeping and putting my time into is welcome in my house for a while to learn me and bond with me and after that at spaced out intervals cause i cant let them all in at once and as a result of much affection and bonding i don't hunt with my dogs my dogs hunt with me .

A hog hunter has to understand that most of the hogs now days act different from the hogs in the old days.  The hogs now do not bunchup and and their running distance has no bottom.  I bet not many hunters on here have ever hearded a set of wild hogs to a corral with dogs and then worked the pigs and turned them back in the woods.  To get a dog to work like that you need to have him close.  Dogs that work like cow dogs are supposed to work will not get the job done these days on the hogs that run.  In my situation, I select cow dogs vs. hog dogs on how they act and I pet the cow dogs more, to gain more of a handle on them, than I do the hogs dogs.

*I enjoy a good conversation.

[Reuben]

It all depends on a guys definition of a hunting dog.  I'll talk about "Strike Dogs".  Some won't label them a good strike dog unless they leave the truck running and don't come back until a hog is found.  You know, lots of range and bottom.  Some folks are ok with strike dogs that hang around close, within 20 yards and never leave.  It depends on your hunting style.  I think this quote is right on.

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've said it before i'll say it again . back in the day's of ol are hunting dogs were as well the family pets and household gaurd dogs . every dog i plan on keeping and putting my time into is welcome in my house for a while to learn me and bond with me and after that at spaced out intervals cause i cant let them all in at once and as a result of much affection and bonding i don't hunt with my dogs my dogs hunt with me .

Strike dog Kennels makes a good point as to what  different hunters believe in what a good hunting dog is...

For me there is only one kind and all others are culls...If I am in the market for a catch dog I want him to be a natural. I want to see him catch a 15 pound shoat at 10-12 weeks.

If I am looking for a strike dog I would like it to be a natural. I want it to roll out at 3 - 4 months in the woods. I don't want it running straight lines but making a circle around me...He is not trained to do this but does it out of natural instinct. What make these dogs great are the small things that we do right...and that is calling them at the right time, petting at the right time, disciplining at the right time, right amount of discipline, the right tone and allowing the dog to apologize....you want the dog to respect you but not fear you...

You can hug them, baby talk to them and they will perform because that natural drive is built in...

[NechesBobcat]

Every dog I own has slept in the bed with me as a puppy. I also let every dog I own inside at night. I bring them to work with me. I will pet each dog a lot about once a week. Other than that I pat them on the head. I believe that a dog can learn anything you let it learn. I have never had a problem with a dog that was shown a lot of affection getting out and hunting. I believe that is 100% up to that individual dog. I'm sure no one on here pets their dogs in the woods but I refuse to even talk to or acknowledge my dogs in the woods. Everyonce in a while they will check in and look at me buts it's only to see which direction I am walking. I make sure that I am walking the direction I want them to hunt when I know they are checking in because that's the way they will go. When my dogs get out of the truck they know it's business. If they didn't then I would agree that they would be culls.

I have raised everyone of my dogs like a family member since they were pups but I will honestly tell you that I will be the one to put a bullet between their eyes when their time is up. I have seen a lot of death and I believe a person or animal is on this earth to serve a purpose. When that purpose is done its time to go. I love my dogs more than people but even my best pets I feel like I owe it to them to put them down one day if a hog doesn't get them first. I've lost some really good dogs that were also pets. Haven't shed a tear yet but its mainly because I knew what I was getting into when I started hunting with dogs. If you can't handle the loss of a close dog then don't get close because you will loose them one day.

But I say pet and love all over them dogs and enjoy them while you got them. If you think a dog is only capable of being a pet OR a good hunter, you're putting a limit on an amazing animal. Ask anyone that has spent time around my dogs and bhunted with them. People always ask me how I got my dogs to learn the things they know. I tell them they learned it theirself, I just didn't stop them from learning.

[halfbreed]

x2

[Coady Curbow]

Neches, I keep my pups stay in the house with me until they learn their name and will come to me good.  Then, they run loose outside until my wife gets mad about everything they are chewing up.  Then I put them up and haul them around in the truck on hunts once every month or two just to get them used to the routine.  I start carrying them hunting at about a yr old.  This whole time, I am good to the dogs, but they don't get any babying and hugging or googling over.

Also, you mentioned above that your dogs check in while hunting.  That reflects that we have different styles of hunting.  I don't walk hunt, I find a track on a road crossing or try to turn out in fresh sign.  The dogs either strike or come back.  That is why I need one to cover a lot of ground.  I don't mind one to hunt for miles, I'll just pick him up at the next place that I can get to him.   My Dad likes to walk his dogs in, but I don't.  I guess you could blame it on my lazyness. LOL.  If I walk hunted, I too would want a dog to check back in with me.



I am not cold hearted or abusive in any way toward the dogs (physically or mentally), I just realize that these dogs in my yard are an instrument to show me a hog.  Not a family member, not a friend, but a hunting companion that must perform.

When I was younger, I carried an old hound out of a creek bottom that had shown me hundreds of hogs.  He was about ten yrs old and had been cut twice in his long career (the second one ended his life).  I picked him up on my shoulders and started walking to the truck while in the company of my Dad and Uncle (two of the hardest men you will ever meet).  I started sobbing uncontrollably, to the point I couldn't hardly put one foot in front of the other.  Needless to say, I was ashamed to be crying in front of these men.  I vowed that day to never get attached to a hog dog like I was to that old Black and Tan hound.

[halfbreed]

hell coady that ain't nothin to be ashamed of i'm 56 years old ex-marine and hard as nails when it comes to humans but i've dampend the dirt on many a grave sendin my dogs off on that last hunt

[Coady Curbow]

I hear ya, with all that stuff I said earlier, it's still hard to not get attached when he does everything you expect of him.

When you haul as much junk to the woods as I have, you appreciate those few good ones! LOL

[make-em-squeel]

If yall are "petting or cuddling" the hunt out of your dogs its time to get some better bred dogs!

With that said there is a good middle ground and exceptions but come on.... HUNT is genetics referred to and bred for as "Prey Drive"

[YELLOWBLACKMASK]

WTF Yall!

I tried a different approach this weekend and petted,cuddled,and rubbed bellies while I baby talked to all my dogs to get em warmed up for a hunt.

Now all my dogs are laying around in lawn chairs sipping margaritas and wearing sun shades.  I asked them nicely to go hunt like they usually do but they told me NAH and asked for a refill. So now I have become my dogs new personal assistant and they are making up ON STRIKE SIGNS.

(Guys yall are getting way to serious with this post)

AGAIN WHAT WORKS FOR YOU......WORKS! !!!!!!

[Reuben]

WTF Yall!

I tried a different approach this weekend and petted,cuddled,and rubbed bellies while I baby talked to all my dogs to get em warmed up for a hunt.

Now all my dogs are laying around in lawn chairs sipping margaritas and wearing sun shades.  I asked them nicely to go hunt like they usually do but they told me NAH and asked for a refill. So now I have become my dogs new personal assistant and they are making up ON STRIKE SIGNS.

(Guys yall are getting way to serious with this post)

AGAIN WHAT WORKS FOR YOU......WORKS! !!!!!!

hogdogs Is serious business...

Maybe you just rubbed them the wrong way.

[YELLOWBLACKMASK]

WTF Yall!

I tried a different approach this weekend and petted,cuddled,and rubbed bellies while I baby talked to all my dogs to get em warmed up for a hunt.

Now all my dogs are laying around in lawn chairs sipping margaritas and wearing sun shades.  I asked them nicely to go hunt like they usually do but they told me NAH and asked for a refill. So now I have become my dogs new personal assistant and they are making up ON STRIKE SIGNS.

(Guys yall are getting way to serious with this post)

AGAIN WHAT WORKS FOR YOU......WORKS! !!!!!!

hogdogs Is serious business...

Maybe you just rubbed them the wrong way.

DANG IT I knew I should have asked more specific questions.  LOL
Now I have a yard full of drunk culls. 
All in fun my friends

[NechesBobcat]

I need one of those margaritas!!!!