| Author | Message | ||
     TPH (Snowman) Senior Member Username: Snowman Post Number: 304 Registered: 12-2002 |
I received this from my sister today. She is mildly obsessed with her English Black Lab. I thought this was funny and I am sure many of you can relate: Notice to people who visit my home. 1. The dog lives here. You don't. 2. If you don't want dog hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. 3. Yes, she has some disgusting habits. So do I and so do you. What's your point? 4. Of course she smells like a dog. 5. It's her nature to try to sniff your crotch. Please feel free to sniff hers. 6. I like her a lot better than I like most people. 7. To you she's a dog. To me she's an adopted daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly. I have no problem with any of these things. 8. Dogs are better than kids. They eat less, don't ask for money all the time, are easier to train, usually come when called, never drive your car, don't hang out with drug-using friends, don't smoke or drink, don't worry about whether they have the latest fashions, don't wear your clothes, don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and if they get pregnant you can sell the pups. 9. The same applies for the cats, except they will ignore you... until you're asleep. | ||
| Andrew Clarke (Aclarke) Senior Member Username: Aclarke Post Number: 305 Registered: 10-2002 |
Pretty good. I have a few "friends" who could stand to read this list before I invite them into my house/car/truck again. | ||
| Paul Grant (Paul_grant) New Member Username: Paul_grant Post Number: 6 Registered: 03-2003 |
TPH. I couldn't agree more with your sister's list. My wife and I are childless and our three rescued Pulik (Hungarian Sheepdogs) are our adopted family. We often tell people that we live in their house and that they are very tolerant of our peccadillos. Cheers, Paul | ||
| Jake Hartley (Jake) Member Username: Jake Post Number: 178 Registered: 03-2002 |
Paul: You once said that we most likely could not agree on anything. Not so: my wife and I are in Bouvier Des Flanders Rescue. Any guy that rescues dowgs can't be all bad...... | ||
| Jake Hartley (Jake) Member Username: Jake Post Number: 179 Registered: 03-2002 |
uh, I meant dogs | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 75 Registered: 01-2003 |
My wife and I drove to Alaska from SLC Utah just so we could take the "kids" with us. We ran into these three school teachers from New Hampshire in a little tiny town call Hope, on Turnagain bay. They told us they where jealous because they all left their dogs (kids) at home and missed them dearly. After playing with our two kids for a while one of them said in parting, "remember, never trust someone who doesn't have dog hair on their clothing". | ||
| Paul Grant (Paul_grant) New Member Username: Paul_grant Post Number: 7 Registered: 03-2003 |
Jake, I am speechless!!! I know that you must think that is something coming from me!  We lost a rescued Bouvier to bone cancer back in '96 at the age of nine. His name was Deal. What else would you call a Bouvier that cost $25? My wife still pines for him. He was the finest dog I have ever owned. I guess you can't be all that bad either. Cheers, Paul | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 517 Registered: 09-2002 |
lol Snowman, that was beautiful. i think we've already weeded out all non-dog-friendly visitors from our house peter | ||
| Jake Hartley (Jake) Member Username: Jake Post Number: 180 Registered: 03-2002 |
Paul: We just lost Ivy, a 5 year old female that we adopted. She had conjestive heart failure.... that was a hard unexpected hit, even for a hardass like me. still have our 13 year old male that I inherited from a fellow soldier that ws killed in Bosnia. Tough fucking dog, hiked the Swiss Alps at age 9 and carried his own gear! He is slowing down a bit now, like we all are | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 183 Registered: 10-2002 |
Those rules definitely apply. I have a chocolate British Labrador who is my hunting partner and who always takes priority. Anyone else have a bird dog? | ||
| Paul Grant (Paul_grant) New Member Username: Paul_grant Post Number: 9 Registered: 03-2003 |
Jake, That's a great story. We have a Puli going on 15 years now. I got him when I was living in NYC at the end of the '80's. I ran into the breeder when I was walking my Bouv and she said she just had a litter and one of the pups had a murmur. He was mine if I wanted him. Turned out he had VSD (ventricular septal defect), a hypoactive thyroid and a hyperactive sebacious gland (did he stink!). The Vet said he wouldn't live out the year. That was fall of '88! He lost a leg in an old leg trap when he was three but it never stopped him. Now, his eyesight is going and he's suffering from dementia at times and it is heartbreaking. He's our oldest child! I can't tell you how happy I am that we have found an ever so small piece of common ground. Paul | ||
| Paul Grant (Paul_grant) New Member Username: Paul_grant Post Number: 10 Registered: 03-2003 |
One more thing. His name is Nagy. I named him for the president of Hungrary. He is considered a hero for standing up to the Soviet Union when they invaded in '56. | ||
| Paul Clawson (Pnut) Member Username: Pnut Post Number: 54 Registered: 02-2003 |
Dogs are the best. I just read an article on different methods for stress. of those tested, spending time with the family dog was the best stress reliever. We rescued a lab/shepherd mix from the pound. Even though its a no kill facility I am so glad we were able to give her a home. I think I have benefited more from her than she did from her rescue. | ||
| Rans (Rans) Senior Member Username: Rans Post Number: 386 Registered: 08-2002 |
We have four dogs. 3 Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Brenden, Bean, & Bailey, who are the toughest little guys you ever met, and one black dalmation named Merlin who has just recovered from a near-death brush with Lyme disease, he is 13 years old. We also have 3 teenagers, 2 rovers, 2 motorcycles, and 2 volkswagens......not sure who the real children are..... | ||
| Jake Hartley (Jake) Member Username: Jake Post Number: 181 Registered: 03-2002 |
Anyone else have a bird dog? Jack: We just adopted a English Setter/German Short-haired Pointer pup..... all energy, like a Viking on acid... | ||
| joshua Frances (Joshua) Member Username: Joshua Post Number: 128 Registered: 10-2002 |
Jake...Yes, a fellow birdogger! wohoo I have a 2 year old chocolate english lab...Madison. Great bird dog, she can flush like a motha! Mostly I take her upland hunting in Maine, though she stayed in the car this past fall when I bagged my 700 lbs cow moose. where are you? | ||
| Jake Hartley (Jake) Member Username: Jake Post Number: 182 Registered: 03-2002 |
Joshua: I am in West Central Wisconsin, inbetween LaCrosse, WI & Red Wing, MN. The pup is getting his first pointer lessons this week. He has a great nose and look like he will have good potential! A real nut case, fun dog. | ||
| Joe Blanchard (Joeblanch) New Member Username: Joeblanch Post Number: 27 Registered: 01-2003 |
Joshua, Jake, Jack- Do you train your dogs or send them to a trainer? What do you hunt? I might have a few questions? Joe | ||
| joshua Frances (Joshua) Member Username: Joshua Post Number: 131 Registered: 10-2002 |
Joe well, when madison was a pup we took her to obediance school. I was working for the Police dept in NY, and had a trooper buddy that trained the K-9 dogs, as well as did some private stuff. She boarded with him for 3 weeks when she was 4 months and then again for 5 weeks when she was 8 months. the forst time was basic stuff, and teh second time was all off leash work. I went to his house daily to work with her, and she is a great dog. for the hunting stuff, I trained her mostly myself. I use an electric collar when I have her out in the feilds, mainly because im scared if i see other hunters, she might be shot at. I started her out on a 20 foot lead, then moved up in length when she picked up the flushing. It was kinda just automatic though, she comes from a solid line of hunting dogs. Mostly I have only hunted in the northeast. Its feasent, turkey, duck, grouse, partridge. I get bored sitting in a duck blind for hours at a time, and so does the pooch...so we opt for the feild birds more often. jake, I havent ever, ever been able to get her to point. she stops, and looks, then gives me a look...but never just points, like i would have expected her to any tricks? | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 185 Registered: 10-2002 |
BirdDawgers, I live in Southern California and hunt mostly upland here and in AZ and NM. I've trained my lab all by my lonesome and with little negative correction (read: no e-collar). She just had her first season and it went pretty darn well. She's a little headstrong for such a soft training approach but not being a field trialer and not requiring styled perfection for my approach to hunting it has been enjoyable and successful for us. Joshua, I also look at waterfowling as a little too passive, but the dog loves the H20 so much that I feel like I owe it to her to start doing it. Mostly we chase quail and dove which she really loves, but she likes it best if there is a stream or a pond near by. "jake, I havent ever, ever been able to get her to point. she stops, and looks, then gives me a look...but never just points, like i would have expected her to " is she a bred pointing lab? why would you expect a flusher to point otherwise? I get most of my advice at bbs.shootingsportsman.com great magazine, really great bbs. so if you fellas drive land rovers and have bird dogs, you must shoot SxS or at least O/Us? | ||
| KJ (Karen) Senior Member Username: Karen Post Number: 110 Registered: 02-2002 |
Years ago I field trialed our Irish Setters. They were fantastic bird dogs from a field dog breeder. People would see our Irishes and kind of look down on them until we went out in our brace. My training program was pretty vigorous. I'd say, "Go get a bird!", and off they'd go! I could handle them on foot or on horseback because they were used to going on trail rides with me and the horses. They had stunningly beautiful natural hunting patterns. I won a perpetual trophy twice, once with each of my boys. The professional handlers really hated us, LOL! I thought they were overly harsh in their methods. Once my young dog bolted from our novice area, which was DEAD, and went straight into the Gun Dog field. That day even the Gun Dogs weren't finding spit and the judges were bored to tears. My dog snapped on point in about 3 seconds and held until I threaded my way through dogs, judges and handlers. I was a little embarrassed, but at the lunch break two of the judges sidled up to me and thanked me for breaking their boredom. They wanted to know all about my dog who had put to shame the rest of the "serious" breeds that day, winning his class as he did every time we went out. It was a fun time, but I could never get over the quail carnage when dogs got too rough with the little ones. Blood sport just isn't for me. Karen | ||
| Stacey R Abend (Srafj40) New Member Username: Srafj40 Post Number: 12 Registered: 03-2003 |
Hello all, My wife and I are seperated from our's while a new house is being built. Gabby, and Nevada are with my parents. Jake, I have a yellow lab, (Gabby). Big quail hunter. I live in Tucson, close by gambels, scalies, and merns. Any way Gabby's first year just is out for fun. Second season out what a natural on the retrieve. Third year she picks up the point. I can not keep her contained, no training. Pull out the over-under, and she is an instant basket case. Love her with all my heart. Nevada, is Lara's first from a pup. Saved him with the help of FAIR. Pound dogs are just the best. So happy to have a home. Stacey | ||
| TPH (Snowman) Senior Member Username: Snowman Post Number: 310 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hey KJ- Setters are great family dogs and seem just to always be happy, almost too happy with those big o' tails wagging. My best buddy Woody was a Setter/Black Lab Mix and passed away last year from cancer after giving us 12 years of friendship. He was named after the character Woody on the sitcom Cheers, they had a similiar personality. It was a painful ending to his life and very unpleasant. Truthfully it was one of the worst things I've gone through. He's now buried in "his" pasture in an area he loved to roam around. I think I have more pictures of him than our kids, I miss him dearly. On a happier note the snow is finally melting. We are going to scream up to 40 degrees on Saturday! S- | ||
| Jake Hartley (Jake) Member Username: Jake Post Number: 183 Registered: 03-2002 |
To all: This is my first bird dog. I have hunted with others who had them, but I decided to give being owned by one a try. The little guy has it in him to point, loves to smell and will point at just about any living thing outdoors he gets a scent on. His dad is a GSP and is a great field trials dog, as is the mom, on the English Setter side. Pup looks like a GSP, but black/grey flecking, instead of liver color. Great attitude, NOT gun shy and will run the legs of the anything that wil run from him. It gonna be a fun year.... We are using a trainer who is a 100% bird dog trainer. | ||
| joshua Frances (Joshua) Member Username: Joshua Post Number: 134 Registered: 10-2002 |
Jack...so its your first few weeks training your bird dog eh..well congrats, you have alot of work ahead of you, as im sure you know. Im not really sure the training stops, but for sure tapers off. I was having trouble with madison in a canoe or blind. she was so frigin exited, when she sees my pellican gun case...I mean, I could just be moving it from under the bed...and she freaks. she wont stay quiet enough in a blind, to wait for me to drop some birds. That is why I have been in the feilds...She loves it. we use all the things she was trained to do when we go out. I decided to go with the electric collar for a few reasons. Most of the time, I am with 5 or 6 other dogs, in a huge area. with teh range of 1000 yard, i can guarentee she will be safe. after a few close calls, i thought it was appropriate. Im all for positive renfocement with a pup, but at great distances, sometimes they are just to far to hear commands. Mostly, its close quarters stuff, but I like the security. But its not for everyone. Some people ( its ounds like you) think they are not nescessary) Its just personal prefference. Though she comes from a pointing background, I never did any real pointer training. what do you think is agood way to start? Im eager to get out, I just bought a Benelli super black eagle. And im very exited Josh | ||
| M. K. Watson (Lrover94) Senior Member Username: Lrover94 Post Number: 707 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jake, i am another bird dog's friend, i have two GSPs, they are truly (other than my wife) my best friends. the older of the two is a male whom was given the name Dilbert and we added Krickett, 9mos bitch, back in Oct. lasy year. they are a hoot to have around. Dilbert was 3yo when he came to live with us, he had never really had any field work so his bird work is hit and miss, he has the nose but is a lil bit shaky on the point. he works very well considering his lack of early training. he tends to creep when at point as i draw near and often will flush before i am set but taking game is only the small reward of having a bird dog for a companion. the real pleasure is watching them work. the bitch is getting her nose and after we complete our move into the new house she will start her training. she tracks well now and has gone to point on trash birds. if i can give her the time she deserves, the two will make an awesome pair. geez this is bringing tears to my eyes. mike w | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 188 Registered: 10-2002 |
Josh, Not quite my first weeks. We had a solid 6 months of training before the season started, but once we could go after birds we just worked in the field instead of doing drills. Now we are back to drills to reinforce. I certainly have nothing against the e-collar and I still consider it for a situation where we might be near a busy road or some such. If Madison is pointing lab stock, the hesitation should already be there. My next step would be to reinforce a "whoa" command (without sitting) and then style Madison on point while whoaing. Just encourage that hesitating instinct and once it is solid, lift a paw and straighten the tail while keeping the whoa. Of course this needs to be done in a controlled training environment with a dead bird or a tethered bird. Karen, don't worry, i've seen Irish Setters in action and there is no way I would consider them anything but a sporting/working breed. Whatismore, it's pretty easy to romanticize the image of a lone handler on horseback working a brace of flowing setters. Stacey, I hunt quite a bit in the Tucson area every year. Maybe we can get our Dogs and Rovers together sometime. BTW, do all you can to protect your quail, welfare ranching on public land has overgrazed to the extreme!!! http://bbs.shootingsportsman.com/viewtopic.php?t=4325 Really pleased to hear that quite a few DWEBbers are also wingshooters or trialers. | ||
| KJ (Karen) Senior Member Username: Karen Post Number: 112 Registered: 02-2002 |
"Trash Birds", LOL! We used to call them "stink birds", but my boys didn't care. They were wildly birdy and in a field with game birds, the stink birds didn't get a glance, whiff or moment's notice. Snowie, sorry you lost Woody, but I'm glad at least you had him a nice, long time. Mine both died young, but you're right about the lasting impression they make on our lives. Damn I miss my dawgs.... Karen | ||
| Stacey R Abend (Srafj40) New Member Username: Srafj40 Post Number: 17 Registered: 03-2003 |
Jack, Sorry to burst your bubble. The fj40 in srafj40, stands for....well fj40 landcruiser. I do not own a rover, (I do WANT a defender). R.B. Bailiey's epic H2 thread, (got over to cruizers.com), got me lurking here, and I registered because of the great conversational topics, my respects to Paul D, (Paul anxously waiting on the China thread). Gabby would love to take you out for a walk. This winter has not been all that good because of the drought, (7 years). Thus populations are hurting. Just your luck Gabby knows of a secret spot. :-) I am thinking of her point and I should work with her because it is rough and is probably because she is not a true pointer, more flusher. However because I know her I can figure it out. The grazing lease issue is changing. I need to look at that bbs. My history thesis was on "The Historic Vegitative Change of Southeast Arizona". I know very sexy topic. LOL. Stacey | ||
| Stacey R Abend (Srafj40) New Member Username: Srafj40 Post Number: 18 Registered: 03-2003 |
Paul, I am sorry I ment Paul G. Stacey | ||
| Stacey R Abend (Srafj40) New Member Username: Srafj40 Post Number: 20 Registered: 03-2003 |
Jack, had some time to go to your link. It was a while ago for me, but It seems that Mr. Gowdey has mixed up herbaceous, (bunch grasses), with Mesquite/palo verde, (woody xenophites). Just my opinion, there has just been NO water in the winters, excluding 98. Stacey |
