Hunting Dog or House Dog?

Many hunters entertain the idea that their prized hunting dog will never be a good hunting dog if he is allowed to step foot in the house. This notion is absurd. Modern hunters of today often miss out on the true companionship that their hunting dog can give to them in the other areas of their life and perhaps in the end, they suffer as much as the dog does from the lack of socialization with their hunting dog who can also be their companion and friend.

dog kennels

It took thousands of years for mankind and canines to develop a partnership. That partnership included the mutual ability to give each other aid and affection. It also built upon the canine's natural watchdog and guarding capabilities and afforded both the human and the dog a sense of companionship and mutual trust. That togetherness also allowed for the dog to learn more and for the human to train the dog more.

Dog

Certainly in the early days of the settling of America the settlers who were lucky enough to have a dog did not dream of sticking him into a pen and leaving him there...the dog was a valuable part of their survival because it could do a great deal to protect the homestead besides being a warm body next to the fireside and helping the hunter to bring home the next meal.

Perhaps the basis of keeping the dog penned except during the hunt came from the traditions established by the nobility of Europe and England when large kennels were the norm for the landowner. Of course it was unfeasible to keep hundreds of dogs in the house. But there was never a time when the Lord of the Manor did not keep his favored hounds in his home with him. The large kennels did a great deal to establish good hunting lines and different breeds, for selective breeding could be more easily accomplished when there were large numbers to choose from for the matings. But the average hunter is not selectively breeding. He has no need at all to keep the dog penned up except during the hunting season.

Apparently there are hunters who believe that allowing a hunting dog to have the run of the house will ruin his nose, deflate his natural hunting instincts, make him fat and lazy and make him become somehow badly mannered and disobedient. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Firstly, the power of the dog's nose to scent comes with it when it is born. The idea that letting him be in the house will help to destroy his scenting ability is ridiculous. Actually the ability to scent well and to discriminate scents is an inborn ability and increases exponentially as the dog learns to distinguish more and more scents, often many of them having nothing at all to do with hunting. It would seem that the more exposure the dog has to a myriad of scents of all kinds would be better than less exposure. Surely when indoor living is also combined with outdoor living there would be more scents involved!

Then there is the idea that living indoors will allow the dog to grow fat and lazy. Here again, the exact opposite is true. A do who is with his humans will get up and follow his master, will roam the grounds with his master, will investigate his household environment and be more stimulated to activity than a dog who is penned in a 10 by 12 foot area day after endless day with no stimulation to make him want to get up and move. Furthermore if a dog happens to have the good fortune to live with someone who is even minimally healthy and likes to walk and get outside, there is just naturally more of a willingness for the human to take the dog along when he is right there by his side and not stuck in a pen out in the back forty. Also the question of his weight has to do with how much he is fed regardless of where he is living. The wise owner will regulate the dog's consumption of calories, giving him more during the hunting season and less when he is not hunting.

But the single most important reason, which I have not yet touched upon, for the dog to live with his hunting companion and master in the house, has to do with the dog's capability to learn more effectively when it is coupled with the desire to please his master. A dog who is bonded to his master is a dog that will try harder and accomplish more than a dog who is not motivated to learn, is not trustful of his human companion, is distracted by the joy of being out of the pen more than he is wants to be trained. In short, a dog who is allowed to be a pet is a dog that is much more ready to be trained and has much more opportunity to learn than a dog who is shunted away into a pen and forgotten about between hunting seasons.

Hunting Dog or House Dog?

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dog Training

Dog

Homemade Dog Food - Your Hunting Dog Will Love You

My two Vizsla hunting dogs get homemade dog food twice each day. I mix an adjusted amount with good quality dry kibble.

knit your dog book

Homemade dog food can be better than some commercial products. We don't realize what's in the food we give our pets. Always inspect the ingredients.

YOUR DOG

Commercial dog foods can contain preservatives, and are altered by chemical processes that can be unhealthy for dogs. They can also contain processed unknown animal products and fillers that do nothing to contribute to your pet's health.

To avoid your dogs ingesting unknown dog food ingredients, make your own. Control not only the content, but the quality as well.

Reasons To Consider A Homemade Dog Food

dog has allergies to food persistent skin problems gastrointestinal upsets including diarrhea or constipation competes in sporting events or working stock and needs strength for endurance control of quality and freshness nothing processed so food retains all the vitamins, antioxidants and enzymes

Observe your dog to see he is getting his required dog food nutrition.

shiny coat, illustrious feel sparkling eyes alert, good energy and activity maintain weight without getting fat stool firm and consistent

An appropriately balanced dog food recipe contains roughly 40 percent meat, 30 percent starch and 30 percent vegetables.

1. Meat: Any type can be included. Organ meat, such as liver, is particularly healthy for dogs. Bones should be removed as they are a choking hazard. Cook the meat - uncooked meat can contain unhealthy bacteria and possibly parasites.

2. Starch: Most forms are okay - cooked pasta, potatoes, and rice are common choices for homemade dog food.

3. Vegetables: Most types can be used. Do not use onions as they can be toxic. Cook the vegetables - raw veggies can pose a choking hazard.

Recipe For Quick Adult Homemade Dog Food

This recipe will feed a 50 pound adult dog for one day. If your dog in smaller or larger then the 50 pounds, adjust the amount of ingredients. You can cook enough for many days, divide accordingly and freeze the rest. This food has No preservatives, so refrigerate the fresh food for 3 days maximum. The human vitamin supplement Theragran-M Advanced and calcium carbonate (example: Tums) can be found in any pharmacy. 5 oz. dark meat chicken or turkey beef or fish 2 1/8 cups cooked brown rice 1 tsp. corn oil 1/2 tsp. salt 2 pills Theragran-M Advanced (crushed) 2100 milligrams calcium carbonate (crushed)
Directions: Cook rice until done. Bake your meat, poultry, or fish choice 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Crush human vitamins and "Tums". Mix all ingredients.

Pay attention to your dog's response to the new dog food recipes you use. There may be items they refuse to eat or have reactions to a particular food. Try something else in their place, such as substitute chicken for turkey or rice for potatoes. Be aware for changes in your dog's behavior, especially things such as excessive scratching. This could indicate an allergy to one of the foods you are using.

Homemade dog food recipes generally cause fewer allergic reactions than commercial brands. Plus, by making dog food recipes at home, you can control the proportion of different ingredients. This can be very important to working and sporting breeds that may require more nutrients for their active lifestyles.

While in the kitchen, why not whip up some dog biscuits. Recipes can be found on the Internet, or try your library. Here is an easy dog biscuit recipe, use it for training or a treat. I have never met a dog who didn't love his cheese!

Any Cheese Biscuits1 cup all purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, or any cheese in the fridge)... dogs Love any type of cheese! 2 tbsp. butter 3/4 cup milk, lowfat grated parmesan for topping (if you have it on hand)
Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all flours and cheese together in a food processor (or by hand, mix well). Add softened butter and milk, mix well. Roll out on a surface to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into shapes, squares is fine. Place on greased baking surface. Bake for 15 to 29 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and store in refrigerator.

Always check with your Veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's diet. For any type of dog, homemade dog food is a good choice to ensure they live a long, happy, and healthy life.

Homemade Dog Food - Your Hunting Dog Will Love You

Lizzie Novotny R.N has a researched and informative website about dogs, especially the hunting dog breeds. She raises, trains and shows dogs and horses, and is familiar with all aspects of their care. Find answers to your dog-related questions by visiting her website at http://www.the-hunting-dog.com

YOUR DOG