Gets under my SKIN!

[Black Gold]

Gonna VENT but hopefully it will help improve the image of hog-doggin....if anyone listens:

Went to a get-together a while back and 99% of what I saw was GREAT.  Good lookin dogs and good people.  Always that 1% of folks that throws the kink in the whole thing.  Walking around thier unsocialized dog with worms hanging out its butt.  Asked him, "What is that on the dogs head?"....response: "Got a little mange.....need to doctor it."  Dog is pulling like a clydesdale (obviously because he's never been on a lead before) and the guy is beating the crap out of him for doing it....not working!
I'm trying to get my dog back to the truck (to avoid disease) and I cant help but thinking "how pathetic".......Everyone that is seeing this and that may be on the fence for hog-doggin is just receiving a HUGE negative boost in the anti-direction.

I keep my comments to myself as usual, but when I sat back and thought about this and look at what TDHA is fighting for every day I wonder if something should be said.


Should we as responsible hog-doggers stand up and say something to these types?  Should we police our own even if it means pissin someone off and causing a scene.......

YOUR THOUGHTS........

[Debbie HFB]

You damn right we should say something! That is rediculous! I know some people like that, can't stand them! If you cant take care of your dogs, you dont need them!!

[BobbyB]

Yup. Especially if it is in a public setting. But you always run the chance of the guy going off on you and making a scene. A Catch 22, I guess

[Eric]

I use to be more... its none of my business, BUT after see all the hard work, time and money people like Mr Mason and others put into promoting the positive and helping to protect us... it really hits a nerve to see that kind of stuff.

As to should we police ourselves... definatly... because if we (hog hunters) don't... the govt will... and we all know what that means. After you try to educate and help.. then you just have to draw a line in the sand and disassociate youself.

[Black Gold]

I'm kinda to this point already:


If making a scene means being able to take my grandkids hog-doggin one day.......THINKIN' it's worth it at this point!!

[jhy]

Most owners will listen to what u have to say and will usually act on it for a while at least.  However, you got the real ignorant ones that get defensive and keep on doing wrong out of pure ignorance. I always say something but I try to make it constructive criticism and explain to them how much better their dog will function for them if fed, wormed, and maintained more like a race horse than a dumpster dog. I.e. Feed the dog good food regularly, supplements when needed, and basic health care.

Joey

[Eric]

I have a post up right now (http://www.easttexashogdoggers.com/forum/index.php?topic=8266.0) about pictures of a cut dog plastered on another forum. Its not hard to just put.... I am a hog hunter and I do not believe pictures of cut dogs should be put on the e-net. It takes two minutes... no fighting or making a scene... and if you get 10-20 people to all put that clear message... they will get the point.

Instead... we have non-hog hunters over there setting the tone.

[setexasplott]

u can buy mange medicine at a feed store are vet for around ten bucks .in a polite way i would have mentioned that also that he should maybe put the dog in the dog box . try to educate the ignorant . as hog hunters we are only as good as our weakess link

[Black Gold]

I was thinking that maybe TDHA could put out a pamplet with proper techniques of healthcare for working/hunting dogs.  Maybe a before/after photo of a dog that was improperly looked after and then how it looked afterwards.  Maybe a few "it doesn't cost much at all" type statements to help from that angle.......Something that can be handed out or left under a windshield wiper to get a hint across.........could help educate the uneducated and improve the look of our sport........just an idea....

[BobbyB]

The worst are the ones that go off and tell you it's none of your effin business how the care for their dog and then keep on just for spite.

[Cull Buck]

Cody, I couldn't agree more.  No excuses for not being able to take care of your dogs.  If a person gets in a bind and can't take care of them in a proper manner he should sell them and start over when things turn around.  It may suck but its the responsible thing to do.

[Russ]

As to should we police ourselves... definatly... because if we (hog hunters) don't... the govt will...

Bingo!!! Case in point I guided the Director of Whitetail Deer for Georgia DNR and we got to talking about dog hunting. He said that they made it simple and clear to the dog hunters, Police your own ranks of hunting clubs in your county and there will be a dog season in that county.

Lo and behold the outlaw, disrespectful crowd got the foot in alot of counties and folks don't look down as harsh as they used to on deer hunting with hounds. You keep the morons out of the public view or tell what for and it makes us all look better

[TRAPPERJOHN29]

i see alot of the point being made and i would love to ask a question? I run three dogs and i am runnong them alot right now so i have the thinned down a little. now the guys that run with me see my dogs and know they are not starved at all i just have them cut back a little to keep the extra wieight in the the hot season from over heating them! now my question is if someone from a non dogger standpoint was to ask me why dont you feed them damn dogs and i say i do feed them them i just have them cut back for the summer for some reason they never seem to understand that? why is that?

[bghogdogtx]

Because they dont have WORKING DOGS.  They belive every dog should be a big rolly polly. in my opion that is crulty to animals.  Its not right to have a working dog breed and keep it in a yard or in the house to get fat and board out of its mined. Let it do what it was ment to do. If you want a pet get a damn pug.

[djhogdogger]

All bs aside, I do agree that showing neglected dogs, cut up dogs, mauled hogs, and public lewdness, all puts hog hunters in a bad light. With all of that being said I would still be cautious about policeing others because there is a fine line between telling people how they should treat their dogs and sounding like a P.E.T.A. whacko. I mean, who gets to decide what is acceptable and whats not acceptable? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for doing the right thing. Just something to think about. 

[Eric]

now my question is if someone from a non dogger standpoint was to ask me why dont you feed them damn dogs and i say i do feed them them i just have them cut back for the summer for some reason they never seem to understand that? why is that?

Compare your dogs to athletes. I always say.... "How many track stars you see running carrying extra pounds. With the new GPS tracking systems for dogs we can see that our dogs run 5, 10, 15, 20 miles a a hunt. Times that by hunting 3,4,5 hunts a weeks."

Some of the other people can explain how a dog should look better than I, but basically you don't want to see any back bone or hip bone... and just see one or two of the last ribs I believe. That's another good thing for Tdha to get up and some pics of how working dogs should look.

[TrueBlueLacys]

I couldn't agree more working dogs being in working homes and kept in working condition. I actually let Sadie put on about 5 pounds this spring, because compared to all the dogs in agility she looked thin, then I realized it was decreasing her stamina in the heat. So on a diet she went, and I bet there are people in Austin who look at her and think she's too thin, but she is obviously healthy, none of her bones are sticking out, so it's none of their business.

But there is a huge difference between hunting condition and neglect. Worms, mange, open wounds... they don't have a place anywhere in the hog dogging world, but especially not at public events. I'd think the solution is pretty simple. The people who put on these events need to agree that they'll ask people with sorry, sick dogs to leave. They have the authority, it is their event, and they can explain to the owner they're welcome back when the dogs are healthy. Maybe seeing someone actually refuse their business due to the condition of their dogs would help get the point across.

[Hippy]

thats exactly what i was about to say tbl and really and truly i wouldn't care if they pitched a fit bout me saying something the ppl that matter are going to understand why i said something and if non hog doggers see us sticking up for dogs then it will be easier to explain to the general public that our dogs are not abused just becuase they hunt and work for their food. jmo.

[txboardog]

I agree with trueblue 100% maybe they would get the hint and go tend to their dogs better. If not we shouldn't accociate with them anyway.  Also agree that if you can't afford to to take care get rid of them until you can afford to keep them properly.

[Spencer]

I agree totally with everyone! The person should be confronted . Its a free world with freedom of speech, and you should not have to bite your toungue for something that could fataly hurt us as dog hunters.! If this person doesn't like it, then thats their problem. I would rather someone talk crap to me about my dogs, or anything to my face rather than talking crap behind my back. I personally have no problem speaking my mind, and im not scared to do it if i feel the person is in the wrong. Thats just my .02 worth! We all need to stick together to protect our rights as dog hunters, and it takes only one IDIOT to ruin it for us! SPEAK OUT OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE.