Old Mens advice Vs Young Mens reason.

[YELLOWBLACKMASK]

We are all generally anchored somewhat into our own pasts while looking into our uncertain futures. 

I have always been fascinated by Old timers rymes and reasons for doing certain things pertaining to their hunting dogs. Some give very solid advice that is backed by modern research. Some is just downright comical to me but for some reasons always prove to be true as well. The question I am throwing out here is based on your personal programs, would you venture to say you are more prone to follow an Old Mans advice...or prefer to be skeptical until it can be proven in your minds as a young mans reason?

Some of the Old men pieces of advice that i have picked up for example, is

If you want more male pups..breed the gyp toward the end of her heat and vice verse for female pups. No scientific proof that I am aware of but so far has been right on for me.

Feel free to share your thoughts and instances that have guided or influenced you in your personal programs. 

Enjoy

[Oly]

There is a proverb in my homeland;
 
"Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo"

that translated goes something like this:
"The devil knows more for being old than for being the devil"

Meaning, that experience means a lot.

I listen and try the old ways ALWAYS.

[waylon-N.E. OK]

I had heard this one when I ran hounds years back " The lower a hounds ears START on the side of  his head the colder nosed he will be " I don't know if I ever tested the idea but I did have some Extra houndy pups from then on 

[dub]

Truth be told I like to listen. I have been told some plain stupid stuff. I do the smart stuff and ignore the stupid stuff. That is the best recipe I have found for a big serving of humble pie. Now that ain't saying old people never ay anything dumb but you better stop and think about. When I ask about the stupid stuff many times I find out I am the stupid one. When I ignore the stupid stuff sometimes everyone learns I am stupid. But that is how the old men know I ain't gonna listen because neither did they. Nut no matter what you need to listen and have respect. Science changes every day and science I'd just an educated guess. I have old men to be way better than science.

[Critter Catcher]

Just want to see if anyone knows what spent motor oil is used for regarding dogs

[Eric]

Just want to see if anyone knows what spent motor oil is used for regarding dogs

Fleas, ticks, or even if they have mange

[firemedic]

The old timers used, as they called it, 'burnt' or as you said 'spent' motor oil and sulphur as a cure for mange.

[DangerZone]

my dad and uncle use (burnt/spent) motor oil for almost every skin related problem that a dog can have, Dad has also used new axle grease on cuts. I dont ever remember one of the dogs having any long lasting problems......

[SCHitemHard]

my dad and uncle use (burnt/spent) motor oil for almost every skin related problem that a dog can have, Dad has also used new axle grease on cuts. I dont ever remember one of the dogs having any long lasting problems......

my papa used mineral oil for intestinal worms, lubricates the walls of the intestines and they slide right out

[Reuben]

The old timers used, as they called it, 'burnt' or as you said 'spent' motor oil and sulphur as a cure for mange.

x2

Also heard that dogs with rear dew claws made better dogs.

Also was told that linebreeding made for retarded pups/dogs...

Dogs with a black on tongue and inside of mouth were gritty dogs.

[Critter Catcher]

that's exactly right and it works but you don't want to handle a dog for a while...that stuff works too, my uncle taught me that in the early 80's. I don't do it anymore but it does work just makes your dog pretty nasty.

how about a good pinch of snuff? anybody

[T-Bob Parker]

Snuff cures worms and French kissing

[matt_aggie04]

how about a good pinch of snuff? anybody

Worms and long relationships...

[Bryant]

The question I am throwing out here is based on your personal programs, would you venture to say you are more prone to follow an Old Mans advice...or prefer to be skeptical until it can be proven in your minds as a young mans reason?

Interesting topic.  No doubt some of the "old timers" you refer to had a reason for doing the things and believing the things they did.  Most of what they did/do was based on years of observing the results, and also the proven logic that was perhaps passed down through generations.  What they lacked, was the scientific reasoning behind it.  For example...many of us have probably heard over the years how when the cows are grazing the fish are biting..cows laying and fish aren't as active.  That is something that perhaps people noticed through generations, but it wasn't until modern research showed that falling barometric pressure effects the digestive system of cattle and can cause them to stop grazing and lay down.  Falling barometric pressure also can negatively affect the fish bite.  See where I'm going?  People knew this all along, just didn't really know why.

I'm personally a very analytical person...I love research, and I like being able to find hard evidence for the things I choose to put trust in.  I live by the addage of believing nothing of what I hear and only a portion of what I see.  I refuse to ever believe that I should do something or believe something just because someone said it was so.  Times change...methods change and just because something was good years ago doesn't necessarily mean it is good today.

In regards to breeding animals...look at anything bred for work, sport or show.  Horses, cattle, dogs, even down to the 4H rabbits, goats, etc.  They're better today than they were years ago and there's a reason for that.  Progress is inevitable and you either keep up or get left behind.

[wine6978]

I was told when you pick a pup (in bmc atleast) make sure every toenail is the same color and they have a knot on the head. They will make for a smarter dog. Well i have learned this aint true, but an old dogger told it to me!!!

[wine6978]

But i do catch myself lookin for a conehead when pickin out a black mouth pup.

[Critter Catcher]

The old timers used many rememdies that still hold water today regardless of there fact or fiction as seen in the eyes of some, vet medicine has developed and reached light years past the days of old but it doesn't mean the old timers had it wrong they didn't have to justify the reason but rather knew it worked. Why in the world would you ignore some of the medical remedies of times gone by just because a man that run dogs to live rather than a hobby found out he could avoid the expense of a vet and handle these issues himself. Now I'm not saying I don't use a vet because I do but if there is a "Old Timers Remedy" that I feel will work I will use it without question.

[DangerZone]

I was told on picking a pup to do it before their weaned, to pick a smarter , easier training pup... to lay it on iits back in your hands and see if it fights to turn back over, if not inspect the mouth and teeth, and so on ..... the more you can do to the pup before it starts to sqerm out of your hands the better it is....

[YELLOWBLACKMASK]

I was told when you pick a pup (in bmc atleast) make sure every toenail is the same color and they have a knot on the head. They will make for a smarter dog. Well i have learned this aint true, but an old dogger told it to me!!!

I brought up the same question the other day on the pot knot on the top or rear of the skull. I actually somewhat have a lil faith in this due to identifying and observing multiple dogs that strangely seem to show higher intelligence.

Again is it just happen stance or an unproven scientific answer. 

[Oly]

Occipital protuberance--- in the Dogo they say the larger the knot the larger the head shall be when grown, not sure that is fact either.