Gundog-sleep inside or out?

J

Justice

New member
This is my first post, but have been lurking for awhile. I am from eastern Kansas, semi-retired, and just got my first gundog. He is a black lab, and has been out twice in his 8 month old life, and has 10 bird retrieves under his belt. My question is, does your birddog sleep in the house, or kenneled outside? Mine has slept inside since I got him, but I have had so-called experts tell me a birddog should not be a housedog. I wouldn't have it any other way, but just wanted to hear other opinions. What say you? Thanks in advance for the info.
Pat
 
Someone once faceticiously use to say "never, ever spoil your bird dog". It was meant sarcastically. Mine sleeps on the bed.
 
So does mine. The more the dog bonds to you, the more it wants to please you including while afield.
 
No right or wrong answers here. Mine sleep out at times and in at times. When in they either sleep in wired kennels or the bed...whatever 'momma' says. Keep him hunting and keep loving him and he will be just fine regardless of where he sleeps.
 
Thanks for all the different responses, and my opinion was also if he sleeps near me, he feels closer to the alpha, thus an increased desire to please. Not that he needs that, he is very driven to make me happy.
 
I've had both outside and inside dogs in my life. As far as their hunting is concerned, it didn't make any difference to their hunting drive and abilities whether inside or out. My best overall dogs, socialized with family and other people have been inside with us. Now I wouldn't have it any other way - inside. I crate train and my dogs are not allowed on the furniture. The current one, Max, thinks he's one of the family.

Two dogs ago, the breeder I got my pup from assisted me with some training. While working my pup, he was also training a litter mate he had given to his brother. The brother came by while we were working dogs and the breeder chewed his ass. Said to "get that dog out from the kennel out behind the garage and into the house with your family". Said it would calm the dog and make him more biddable.
 
my best friend sleeps inside, hes outside in his kennel during the workday but otherwise hes a family/hunting/fishing dog. great bond between us:thumbsup:
 
If u want a machine kennel them outside & socialize them & hunt em only let en out when u can watch & or hunting... Seen guys treat dogs like this like a tool them guys could not trust there dog mite run off usually dogs pooped wear ever on trips rude crying/batking in kennel in hotels etc.

If u want a hunting partner & good house & family dog keep them around the family they will want to please you more in general other wise I figure if he a kennel dog ur the boss only not friend who do u want to please more your boss or your friends?

House dog/hunting dog usually have more personality also smarter all around dogs in my experience...
 
I cant imagine kenneling a dog all year just to use them two months. My dogs are pets first and hunting partners second.
 
MinnHunter said:
I cant imagine kenneling a dog all year just to use them two months. My dogs are pets first and hunting partners second.
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My dog's are my friends 1st hunting partner 2nd pet last I'm like you I feel bad for them dogs kept in kennel all year for 5-10 hunting a season.

I feel as bad for great hunting dog's who never hunt turned to house dogs only I consider 7 days or less a season not hunting 360 off season. Dont make a hunting dog..
 
All of my pack sleep inside, outside during the day in their kennel. Oldest lab stays inside while we are at work. Wouldn't have it any other way.
 
Justice,

I concur with most of the other posts. My Vizslas stay inside. Each has their own kennel, and they see that as their den. Dogs are pack animals, so they will do much better in a pack situation. The dog will see you and your family as a pack, and in general, will do much better in that situation. I would recommend that you have an area and a kennel for them to stay in. I feed my dogs in their kennels as well. Also, when you travel, or if your dog goes to the vet, they will be use to a kennel situation.

I agree with Crossing shot. You and your dog will bond better, and it will help you become a better team in the field from that bond. Plus, there is nothing better than sharing a football game or a movie with your gun dog on the sofa with you.
 
This tough guy myth of hunting dogs staying outside is of the same thought train as teaching a pointing dog to whoa by using #9 shot. It is completely contrary to achieving what you are trying to do.

"You get more flies with honey than vineagar."
 
I like this thread and agree with most opinions above, but I'll try a new spin on this from an objective side:

I am of the opinion that any interaction with a dog teaches it something, hence every interaction can be a training moment. If you're the average gun dog owner, you probably work a full time job and have other life responsibilities such as family and chores. Those responsibilities take time away from training. If you have a dog inside you can take back some of that time and train for manners in the house. But a full time kennel dog would miss that. Plus 24/7 socialization makes a difference.
 
Yellow labs #6 Parker and #7 Brady and their 5 yellow lab predecessors have all been inside companions first, hunters second. I would not have it any other way.
 
mnaj_springer said:
I like this thread and agree with most opinions above, but I'll try a new spin on this from an objective side:

I am of the opinion that any interaction with a dog teaches it something, hence every interaction can be a training moment. If you're the average gun dog owner, you probably work a full time job and have other life responsibilities such as family and chores. Those responsibilities take time away from training. If you have a dog inside you can take back some of that time and train for manners in the house. But a full time kennel dog would miss that. Plus 24/7 socialization makes a difference.
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I agree with this statement 100%. I wish I could spend more time out with my dog letting him run, explore, etc. But the reality of life is that we spend most of our time in the house together just enjoying each others company. Why have a dog if you can't do that?
 
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