Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

I really like golden and labrador retrievers. I plan to have a house kept retriever some day, and I'm wondering if it would possible to bring it varmint hunting with me (like a canine hunting buddy). Assuming it was trained well enough that it would sit/lay/stay when I told it to, would it be ok to bring the dog on groundhog hunting trips? Would the groundhogs be scarred upon sight of the dog/sound of the bark?

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

As long as your dog is properly trained, (no movement & no barking), the groundhogs shouldn't even notice there was a dog anywhere around.

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

I use my spoiled, couch-potato, bed-hogging Chessies to hunt most upland and some waterfowl. House dogs not being able to hunt is over-stated.

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

Actually, in my opinion, house dogs make better hunting dogs because they are more familiar with taking commands from you and they know when you're serious and when you're just playing around.

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

Since you don't seem to be referring to using the dog to actually hunt, just tag along on some varmint hunting, as long as you have a dog that listens there would be no reason to leave him home. Especially groundhogs. Switch to coyotes or other varmints you may want to be sure of your control over the dog.

If you are seeking companionship while hunting, you really should consider using that golden or lab to hunt birds.

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

My dog is one of the best dogs around the house, and in the woods. He is the biggest baby when in side but as soon as that door opens he is a hunting machine, ya cant stop him. I have read lots of books on dog training and some of the best trainers sware by having the dog be a full time pet. Dogs are social animals and are loyal to there owners, I would rather have a dog that has bonded with me then on that I feed threw a fence.

Ihunted with 2 cennel rased wire hair pointes in North Dakota and they could have cared less if there owner was even on thehunt, way to indipendent for me.

3 mounths out of the year my dog is a hunting dog the other mounths he is just a dog.

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

which dog would you like to hunt with. one that spends tons of time with you in the house running free and is treated like a family member and knows what you are asking him to do. or one that sits outback always tied upand you throw dog food to once a day. the more time you spend with them the smarter they get. without question my dogs are smarter than some people. if you don't believe me just watch the jerry springer show someday.:D:D:D

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

When I got our GSP puppy I was warned not to let her be an indoor pet or she would be worthless as a hunter. The boys wouldn't have anything to do with that idea though and have spoiled her rotten. Nonetheless, when we get in the field she is fantastic. The fun thing is, she ignores my hunting buddies but will do anything my 10 year old or I tell her to do!

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

:eek:it would seem a little bit of a waste to own a golden or lab and not use it to its potential, but, to each his own!
As far as a hunting bred dog being a house dog, again to each his own, but, I wouldn't have it any other way. I've owned Vizslas for 25 years now, and they all have lived in the house, slept IN bed, ours, not theirs, have eaten at the table, lay on the couches, chairs whatever!
When its time to hit the uplands, they've been all business, I'd bore you to death with the tales I could spin regarding these dogs! They've loved kids, my own, and now my grandkid, but, at the same time, will defend us and their domain without regard!
You should be able to train or have trained your dog to be the plinking companion you mention, I just wish you had ideas of making it your upland and waterfowl companion! It'll change your life, for the better IMHO!

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

:)My 3 1/2 year old black lab is a great hunting dog when it is time to hunt. The rest of the time, she's in whatever room we occupy!:) Hogs the couch, sleeps with us......there is one problem tho[:o] She sheds year round and I have lab bunnies (not dust bunnies) in every room that she goes in. So make sure you have a good vacuum cleaner.....;) That is the only "con" that I know of regarding a hunting dog as part of the family:). My grown kids are jealous of the love and attention she gets.....especially the steaks and table scraps that she gets....

She is much smarter than alot of people that I know....;)

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

I think there good points and bad on inside dogs and outside dogs. I believe it to be true that the more contact (human) a dog has the better but when you live in a cold climate an inside dog does not develop the thick coat that an outside dog does. If a dog being in a kennel means you have not enough contact with them then you probably should not even have one. Too many labs nowadays are being bred with such short and sparse coats they can't take even a little cold and ice breaking when it comes to retrieving waterfowl.

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

In my personal Opinion as a Dog Groomer.. I get a lot of hunting dogs in the fall and spring.. tons of them.. I have outside dogs and inside dogs.. This is Just my opinion but the inside kept dogs have more manners.. They listen well.. have a sense for when you are serious when it's not play time and when it's play time.. the outside dogs are like Hey! It's people let's jump and be happy and get all crazy and burn out a bit and then go hunting.. They don't have the one on one human contact that the house dog has.. I think if you have a house dog for your hunting partner they are more loyal to you because they are in the company of you 24/7 and really are intuitive to what you are asking of them... Outside dogs.. Some are good when trained well and are used on a regular basis but heck when you are only hunting during certin seasons you let the one thing that retrieves your kill or stir it up.. you just let them sit the other times of the year!?!?!? I'm sorry how do you think they feel... Just because they were bred to hunt doesn't mean that they shouldn't be able to enjoy the warm house you live in while you enjoy eating what they retireved for you..........

Just m opinion.. I meet a lot of Dog people and I can tell you how 75% of most dogs live.. I believe that Dogs are mans best friend.. If someone told me my dog had to sleep outside I'd pitch a tent and sleep outside with her!!!

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

My beagles live in the house. They are all miniatures so they don't take up much room, and they have a yard to wrestle in a few times a day, but the only thing I will complain about is the barking/hooting/hollering. Anyone who has ever heard a beagle knows what I'm talking about, and anyone who has ever heard three beagles carrying on after the cat sinks a claw into one of their weinersat 3 in the morning knows even better.

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

We have two GSPs and they are inside dogs, but wonderful hunters as well. My experience echoes many others who say that the dog that spends alot of time with you is the one that will tend to listen better when it comes time for some real commands.

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

Just like most of you, I belive that your Hunting dog should also be your house dog, I think they listen better and under stand you when your serious and when your playing, My britt lives with me as a friend and I feel she is a better hunter for that, she sleeps in my bed, hogs all the covers lays on the couch and watches Yankee games, But I think she is a Red Sox Fan though that hurts,, This is how I think it should be, but thats my opinon.

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

We kept a beagle in the house and hunted her on rabbit. Never had a bit of problems with her, even with the barking. She was a great hunting dog and companion.

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

I've talked to several professional trainers and every one of them told me that a house dog will make a better hunting dog because of the bond being strengthened through continuous contact. Granted, there are times when I wish my dog lived in a kennel. However,I will live with those times for the way that she enriches my life. Much like having a wife and kids. Just my $.02

RE: Is it possible to have a housepet hunting dog?
 

Absolutely. You cannot get my In-Laws beagles offthe couch until they see the cage going into the back of the pickup truck, then its rabbits beware.