roadkill Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Right this is a new area to me so would like some hints tips and suggestions on this matter. I have so far had a lab and a cocker and both were kept outside for there working lifes and never had anything to do with the family only me and both were great working dogs. I'm now at an age and not as strict as i use to be and am thinking at getting a lab pup only this time for it to be a family pet and live in the house with the mrs and two kids 4 and 9. I would also like to train it up for the beating season... Just basic commands and hunting skills but would also like it to thrash about on family walks with the kids can this be done and what do i need to know? Cheers all roadkill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 I bet if you take 50% of gundogs then this is exactly what they do. Some are very good, some are very bad - but aint that the same with kennel dogs? You do get issues with it but you also get other issues with kennel dogs from not living with the familly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee-kinsman Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 I limit the amount of family/unsupervised interaction my family has with any of my dogs until the dog would clearly choose the gun over anything else because for me my dogs are first and foremost for working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greymaster Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 I limit the amount of family/unsupervised interaction my family has with any of my dogs until the dog would clearly choose the gun over anything else because for me my dogs are first and foremost for working. Top post. The kids will love the puppy, but are they disciplined enough not to undermine your training, and also, not to treat the pup as a toy, which if often to be seen in FB pics of the puppy with its new family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Just have clear boundaries from the outset on who does what, when and how. Also make it clear where the dog is allowed and not. I started with different leads and coats for when we go 'work' or 'walk' (I don't bother now) and it's only me that ever uses the whistle. To be fair, if my wife or kids take the dogs out while I'm at work all they need to use is a recall or sit command - I just made sure the dogs were bombproof with it before they could take them. They are not allowed to do anything else with them other a simple dog walk. Dogs are clever animals and they soon know what's what. My viz is laid on the sofa at the moment because my cocker is in full heat. Tomorrow he'll be at my side on a driven shoot and he'll be a completely different dog - all I have to do is say 'coming shooting?' and the switch is flicked from 'pet' to 'working'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pigeon man Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 My dog is an "in side " dog his a good pet but as soon as he hears them keys in the cabinet his as the door waiting as above it's like a switch from pet to working !! He will sit on the marsh in the wettest muddiest ditch no problem he will work all day so Indont see the problem by them not being outside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 Ultimately you are looking for a pet to take shooting so it has two jobs. As you have trained decent dogs before you will be fine especially with a lab. The family part is worth so much more for your children that even if you loose a little performance in the field you won't worry. My two live in and I wouldn't have it any other way and the one that currently shoots with me sure knows the difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE AD Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 inside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted November 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 I'm going for it, pups are born in two weeks. So main no's are not to tell it off when it has there toys or wife's slippers and no tug of war with toys, any other no's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayDT10 Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 Only thing with training an live in dog is that there can be too many distractions after training sessions, the perfect scenario is to have a good training session a then put the dog up to let it think about all its just done undisturbed . The last thing you'd want is to have cracking training sessions then bring him back home with lots of distractions then he may forget a lot he's or she learnt, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 Praise the dog even if it's carrying something it shouldn't And the hardest one is stopping guests calling it by its name and telling it to sit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 I bought The Gundog Club Raising your gundog puppy for fieldwork book. I find it has been invaluable. Not least so I can quote sections to my family when they say I'm being a misery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabery 3 Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 Not least so I can quote sections to my family when they say I'm being a misery! If you can win this your a good man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 I'm going for it, pups are born in two weeks. So main no's are not to tell it off when it has there toys or wife's slippers and no tug of war with toys, any other no's I'll go for some yes's or do's: Make sure you let it out regularly! A kennel dog can 'go' out in the run, but an inside dog can only 'go' (ideally) when YOU give it the opportunity to do so. Get into a strict feed, play, exercise, training & bed routine - buy a crate, they are worth their weight in gold. Make sure everyone understands the reasons why. Do make sure you are the only one that feeds, treats and trains. Do make sure you have a good mix of toys available at all times. It is important a dog knows what it can carry about or chew from the outset - Just be clear with what you say, they will learn. Do learn the art of distraction to get it away from doing something it shouldn't. Do have rules about where it can go or not and make sure everyone understands them - mine are not allowed upstairs and never even try. Do praise and encourage often - a full house is very distracting so you need to become the best thing to be around, ever! Good luck and have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted November 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 right my next hurdle is bitch or dog I have been told a dog as I don't have to worry about the bitch coming into season but that doesn't matter as I will be getting the bitch done if I go that way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 Mine live inside and I prefer dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 right my next hurdle is bitch or dog I have been told a dog as I don't have to worry about the bitch coming into season but that doesn't matter as I will be getting the bitch done if I go that way That's very much your own choice, I prefer bitches as I think they are slightly easier but lots prefer dogs, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanielman Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 I keep my pups indoors, mind l only have one at a time, socialise them, at six months old they go down the kennel. Start training proper about 8-9 months old, take it nice and slow, make sure they understand each stage of the training process, I reckon they do focus better kennelled but everyone to there own, my dogs have free run of the garden, but they will not cross the threshold into the house once outside, just got a cocker pup so it all begins again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 That's very much your own choice, I prefer bitches as I think they are slightly easier but lots prefer dogs, +1 My dog's ok, but I find bitches a bit more eager to please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted November 12, 2013 Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 My soon to be *fingers crossed* Novice trialling dog lives in the house. You'll find if you do all the training etc anyway it'll hardly take any notice of anybody else in the household IMO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millrace Posted November 12, 2013 Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 (edited) Noooooooooooooooo stop pause take a breath,,,,,a lab over a cocker when there are kids nooooo cocker all the way.........!!!!!! No problems with dog for both, my cocker and 4yr old are mad for each other first thing in morning dog has to find her, but,, as has been said put keys in lock ,lift wellies say ducks or shooting the dog knows exactly what's coming and whats to be expected rest of time either glued to me on chair or perched on back of chair at window sleeping,,,,,,, Edited November 12, 2013 by millrace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 Noooooooooooooooo stop pause take a breath,,,,,a lab over a cocker when there are kids nooooo cocker all the way.........!!!!!! No problems with dog for both, my cocker and 4yr old are mad for each other first thing in morning dog has to find her, but,, as has been said put keys in lock ,lift wellies say ducks or shooting the dog knows exactly what's coming and whats to be expected rest of time either glued to me on chair or perched on back of chair at window sleeping,,,,,,, The temperament of the dog is not guaranteed by any breed, got to be said though although I have seen an odd dodgy Lab have seen a stack more Grumpy cockers and seems to be a big issue with resource guarding coming up time and again on forums. The biggest issue with a Lab (as a breed) is its size in relation to bumping into kids and knocking them over. But like I say breed is no guarantee either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 The biggest issue with a Lab (as a breed) is its size in relation to bumping into kids and knocking them over. But like I say breed is no guarantee either way. Them's the hobgoblins in the equation - all else being same, a Lab is your best choice as a "working housedog." Rest assured, bigbird, your fingers don't need crossing - having "Them Four Legs Indoors" makes for a stronger bond with the handler (master) for trialing. MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 Nothing more enjoyable than having your four legged friend and companion curled up by your chair after a hard day on the marsh or field. The Memsahib bangs on about the mud now and again but it is well worth the agro... (Then I catch her feeding Merlyn titbits in the kitchen - I pretend I don't notice). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 Nothing more enjoyable than having your four legged friend and companion curled up by your chair after a hard day on the marsh or field. The Memsahib bangs on about the mud now and again but it is well worth the agro... (Then I catch her feeding Merlyn titbits in the kitchen - I pretend I don't notice). Yeah, all wives do similar I feel if the dog is sound. Mine constantly goes on about the floor and the hair ( he don't come in that often though) never ever after shooting. I did it once as kennel only and its a right Royal pain as they soon fail to respect the indoors and just occasionally you have to bring them into buildings. Thing is if I am out late without the dog, guess who gets to come in without fail , if you keep the dog away from the kids and family don't be surprised if he breaks rules he don't even know about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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