RE: Hunting dog or family dog
first things first-if it is possible to keep this dog inside instead of outside, do it. You need to make this new dog your best buddy, the only way that will happen is if you spent as much time in each others company as possible. If you have to keep him kenneled outside then you still need to spent as much time as possible out there with him.Some guys will disagree with me but it has been my experience that the dog you allow to be part of your family,the dog you interact with every day, the dog you play with and bond with, will also be the dog that is easiest to train and control, in the field. My lab is my best friend first, and because of this I am fortunate to have a very well behaved dog who hunts for me, hikes and camps with me, and is always the one constant that I can count on when I need a friend.