Dog Stories

Every bird hunter has that one dog. The one that every other dog gets compared to. The one dog that no other dog will ever live up to. I am lucky. I have had two of them. Dee was my first bird dog, but Em is the reason I still bird hunt. I grew up hunting with Brittanys when they were still classified as Spaniels. My father preferred a closer working foot dog and he also wanted to have dogs that were different from everyone else’s. I always wanted pointers. Once we started hunting in Texas, I just could not get it out of my … [Read more...] about Tougher Than Metal…

I continue to be amazed at the lack of understanding when it comes to fireworks and dogs. The bright lights, screaming sounds and loud explosions are not something that most dogs are going to enjoy. If your dogs are not already prepared for what’s coming this weekend, there isn’t enough time to get them ready. Do what you can to protect them by keeping them away from all fireworks. Spend the next 6 months getting them ready for New Year’s Eve. The reality of it is that fireworks are not going to go away. We can continue to wish that they … [Read more...] about Noise Sensitivity and Your Pup: Fireworks and Dogs

I hunt with a small group of folks. I know their dogs and I keep up with their training but I still ask a couple of quick questions when anyone gets a young dog out when we are hunting. I never mind if a “hunt” turns into a “training session.” The only way to make wild bird dogs is to train them on wild birds. The first question is always “has the dog been shot over / gun conditioned?” It’s generally always been done but you must ask. There’s more than one stage of gun conditioning and there’s a difference between comfortable with gunfire … [Read more...] about Questions to Ask Before You Hunt Over Another Person’s Puppy