My problem is, the young dog steels birds from my older dog, then plays keep away.Updating my comments above, we have been hunting our 9 month old lab pup with our 11 year old lab this fall. I started by hunting the pup by herself on pen-raised birds to allow her to find, flush and retrieve without being out played by the older dog. That worked fine, other than the first time I did it I made the mistake of leaving the older dog in the cab of the pickup. She proceeded to cover pretty much every surface with slobber as she howled about being mis-treated (not allowed to hunt).
Later this season I've been hunting them together. They have distinctly different hunting styles and the older dog has actually started watching the young dog as she has a good nose and finds birds. Retrieving is another story. Being Labradors, they have a very strong retrieving drive and the competition is hot and heavy. Luckily I had the time to teach the pup to honor another dog's retrieves so she is much more controllable. The older dog actually appears to respect the young dog's retrieves, so it is working out.
This is likely the 11 year old's last hard year, so the pup will often be on her own next year. It will be interesting desert quail hunting this winter, for sure! Old dog still goes hard.
My problem is the reverse.My problem is, the young dog steels birds from my older dog, then plays keep away.
My thought is to hunt them separately, but that would just destroy them.They both love hunting.My problem is the reverse.
I know what I should do,but I just can't handle the guilt of leaving one.It would devastate the other one.My 11 year old os the better hunter of course, stays very close.Ive just been letting the young dog go, but I think soon I will use the e collar on Mr. Jones to reel him in a tad.Yes it's a big dilemma for sho.Here's what I do. Take both dogs. Hunt the old dog first. Find some mellow cover and give it a whirl. Once tired, switch to the younger dog. Then alternate every other spot. If you're only hunting a short time then yes, you need to hunt both dogs.
Train them.Do the dogs you leave in the crate as you alternate go ape shit when you walk away from the truck without them?
I have two wildhairs, and the one left behind loses its mind.
MUST HUNT! EVERY FIELD!
I have a female pointer now that when she was young she decided she needed to howl and try and tear my box apart when she got left behind. After those games she found herself in that box everyday I got home from work. I'd take her to check cows or do chores or whatever and just left her in there most of the time. Once they learn that not every stop is play or work time they'll knock that off. I don't know I'd want a dog that wasn't pissed to get left behind but they have to have some kennel manners and be quiteDo the dogs you leave in the crate as you alternate go ape shit when you walk away from the truck without them?
I have two wildhairs, and the one left behind loses its mind.
MUST HUNT! EVERY FIELD!
You are a total rube.You don't confine dogs.I have a female pointer now that when she was young she decided she needed to howl and try and tear my box apart when she got left behind. After those games she found herself in that box everyday I got home from work. I'd take her to check cows or do chores or whatever and just left her in there most of the time. Once they learn that not every stop is play or work time they'll knock that off. I don't know I'd want a dog that wasn't pissed to get left behind but they have to have some kennel manners and be quite
Plenty of space, plenty of blankets. They're fineYou are a total rube.You don't confine dogs.