Pen dogs vs. Woods dogs

[Reuben]

Here is a scenario that really gets to me...but first an explanation...just like many differences in bay dogs so is the same with bay pen hogs...most hogs in the bay pen circuit know to not run from the dog but to just face the dog...the dog does a great job and bays the hog...dog gets lots of points...it should be extra points for the handler to make the hog break so the dog can show he can stop a hog and bring it to bay...

[YELLOWBLACKMASK]

Good points on the pen etiquette. 

Now gotta ask yourself if you can take that dog into the worst thicket you cannot crawl through with a hog that took 4 hours to bring to bay........can that same dog handle a rank woods hog in its own environment?

Helped friends shovel dirt on many that tried.

Gotta be the monkey wrench for sake of conversation.  Lol

Are there some that can handle both adequately ......sure.  But typically Jacks of all ......Masters of none. And one in a thousand that is Maverick all around.

Well...I first want to say.....I've been away from the game for a WHILE. So... I'm....well my observations have been limited over the past few years and I don't want to step on any toes. That being said... I personally have never seen a top notch woods dog be a top contender at Earls.

Nah brotha wasn't a jab at you. Was just taking your pen etiquette....which I feel is very accurate from the last few I have been to and thrown it into realistic woods bays for the sake of the conversation.

My opinion is firm based on what we have witnessed with attempted cross overs from one to the other.
And I am a lil hard headed also........Hehe. 

[KevinN]

Here is a scenario that really gets to me...but first an explanation...just like many differences in bay dogs so is the same with bay pen hogs...most hogs in the bay pen circuit know to not run from the dog but to just face the dog...the dog does a great job and bays the hog...dog gets lots of points...it should be extra points for the handler to make the hog break so the dog can show he can stop a hog and bring it to bay...

Yeah Reuben....a lot of your score can be luck of the draw as far as what kind of hog you get. Back in the day  at my "home pen" there were a couple of pretty rank hogs that didn't like to be pressured to much. First thing outa the chute they would make a run at ANY human they saw.... Then they would go sit in a corner and wait. If the dogs bayed tight...it was a good chance there would be a full charge. Then the dogs would have to show their stuff. They would test some dogs.

Other hogs would just set up... Pretty as you please.
Some dogs did good on these hogs... Others didn't.

Back then you could turn out 1 hog (decline it) but you had to take the next one. Gave you a little leeway if you knew the hogs and your dog.

[Shotgun wg]

If u take a woods dog to a pen it's for fun. If u wanna get seriouse get a pen dog. Can a woods dog win yes. Will it win a big money bay? Probly not. I don't figure once a month will ruin a woods dog but could keep them slobbering for that next ear.


Shotgun
Arkansas

[KevinN]

If u take a woods dog to a pen it's for fun. If u wanna get seriouse get a pen dog. Can a woods dog win yes. Will it win a big money bay? Probly not. I don't figure once a month will ruin a woods dog but could keep them slobbering for that next ear.


Shotgun
Arkansas

I like

[Muddogkennels]

   I Know my lead dog can bay solid in a pen and that doesn't stop him from hunting, finding, stopping an having the bottom for hours to show the hog And still know, (role out) !  yes top contenders have placed at uncle earls that's been wood dogs!      A truly good dog shouldn't care or matter where the hog is!!   

[MrsLouisianaHogDog]

I enjoyed reading everyone's input here. Thanks all who contributed! I am very fortunate to have a mighty fine pup coming that I'll be pickin up this week  , that I will be specifically focusing on/working with to be a pen comp dog. If anyone gives a hoot, I'll post periodic updates on that journey I'm really looking forward to it....

[Reuben]

I enjoyed reading everyone's input here. Thanks all who contributed! I am very fortunate to have a mighty fine pup coming that I'll be pickin up this week  , that I will be specifically focusing on/working with to be a pen comp dog. If anyone gives a hoot, I'll post periodic updates on that journey I'm really looking forward to it....

good idea...post the entire journey like the mistakes as well as what is working...I used to enter my dogs and they did ok but I never trained in the pen for it...I am thinking that the guys who win on a regular basis have good bay pen dogs but that is only half of it...the other half is how often to train and for how long amongst other things...

[MrsLouisianaHogDog]

I enjoyed reading everyone's input here. Thanks all who contributed! I am very fortunate to have a mighty fine pup coming that I'll be pickin up this week  , that I will be specifically focusing on/working with to be a pen comp dog. If anyone gives a hoot, I'll post periodic updates on that journey I'm really looking forward to it....

good idea...post the entire journey like the mistakes as well as what is working...I used to enter my dogs and they did ok but I never trained in the pen for it...I am thinking that the guys who win on a regular basis have good bay pen dogs but that is only half of it...the other half is how often to train and for how long amongst other things...

I can certainly do that. I have a hunting buddy over here that is good friends with a woman that has some very very good pen dogs, and I am looking into meeting her through him and trying to learn as much as I can on the specifics as in what is a good training regimen for a pen comp dog. I think the hardest part about getting into something 'new,' is finding someone experienced in that area that is willing to share some insight and knowledge on the subject. For every small handful of generous folks willing to mentor someone, there's twice as many that will not give a newcomer the time of day, lol, especially in anything that's competitive. I'm looking forward to the journey. I'll start the thread when my new addition is here.