Thread: Dog breed advice??

Yea true very good point i just dont want the dog to be too lonely during the day? Some people have a lot of different view for hunting dogs kenneled all day and night let out once in avo others out in paddocks others let out morning night just want to do whats best i guess cheers

Fair enough and good on you for researching.

Personally (my dog isn't a hunting dog although he does come hunting with me, if that makes sense haha!) my guy is usually alone 6 hours a day at the least. Partner and I both work shifts so dog gets a little more attention I guess but when we are home, he just sleeps really. When we are not home...he also sleeps!

We get out (any weather) at least once a day for at least 15min exercise. This could be up to two hours, but 15min is our minimum. "Getting out" always includes training whether that is tracking, obedience or tricks; and also running, be it one of us running with him or hitting the ball for him to chase.

Back inside we do minimum half an hour training throughout the day but that is broken up into small sessions normally 5min each.

When the dog is inside, he always has access to fresh water, his crate and some safe toys but usually won't do anything but sleep if I'm not around. Pigs ears, Gorilla Kong stuffed with dried meat and peanut butter, knotted rags, empty milk bottles etc are in the toolbox of shit the dog can destroy. But like I say, he doesn't really touch them unless I'm home.

On the weekends/days off, dog will come out for a day long hunt and overnighters if I have the time.

Dog is a four year old German Shepherd cross, just shy of 30kg and lean and fit. He's regularly run 30km with my man friend and can get up to near 40kph next to a quad bike (not quite as fast as @Dundee 's dog Bolt!) but you get the idea - he's not a handbag dog but does just fine with being at home alone for an extended period of time on a regular basis.

Tip though - don't just go straight into leaving your puppy to his own ends in the house for 6 hours a day right off the bat

Originally Posted by simontrevor

Yea true very good point i just dont want the dog to be too lonely during the day? Some people have a lot of different view for hunting dogs kenneled all day and night let out once in avo others out in paddocks others let out morning night just want to do whats best i guess cheers

He wont be lonely...he'll be asleep.
If you read back on the best wisdom around producing a hunting dog it's ... if he isn't under your direct control he should be in a kennel.

His/her only satisfaction should happen under your control.

Long walkies are really opportunity to form bad habits...ie self hunting

Hah...I'm a product of the Ruff/GDT school of dog understanding.

There is a quote in the go-to book for training a pointer and setter by Derry Argue that always springs to mind when I hear people speak of puppy management - "I like to manage my puppies by keeping them unfit and naïve"

At first glance it sounds simple enough, but it basically sums it up. Unfit enough to not need a continuous physical outlet, and only exposing them to the positive things you want them to - the value of a kennel and run. In fact the greatest benefits of a kennel are psychological and are far above the convenience of the actual physical containment.

In the last few years I've come to know quite well a person who would be the top handler currently in P&S trials. What was a revelation to me was her kennel management with a large (for NZ) kennel of dogs. All I can say on the matter after seeing her methods is that it isn't the amount of time they are given, its the quality of time given at the correct moments in a dogs life. That she can achieve the level of control she does over the amount of dogs she has, within the time constraints she has, was a real eye opener. Quality time, at the right time!

[QUOTE=Dougie;275583]Fair enough and good on you for researching.
Dog is a four year old German Shepherd cross, just shy of 30kg and lean and fit. He's regularly run 30km with my man friend and can get up to near 40kph next to a quad bike (not quite as fast as @Dundee 's dog Bolt!) but you get the idea - he's not a handbag dog but does just fine with being at home alone for an extended period of time on a regular basis.


Clocked Bolt at 45km/hr today this is an old clip will try and get a better one tomorrow.

Thats my dog.

Have clocked my bitch at 53kmh...

Interesting...does a dog have a concept of time? The kennel is 'their' space...

Interesting...does a dog have a concept of time?

Yes they do, but not able to tell the time like a clock as that is human invention, but they sure know when it's coming up dinner time!

Originally Posted by simontrevor

Yea true very good point i just dont want the dog to be too lonely during the day? Some people have a lot of different view for hunting dogs kenneled all day and night let out once in avo others out in paddocks others let out morning night just want to do whats best i guess cheers

Had the same point of view when I started out, I thought I'd keep the dog in the house even (worst mistake ever). Free roaming to people may seem to be "keeping a dog busy" but it allows them to pick things up. At one point I had my pup chew the weatherboard of my house. What followed after the act was a unnecessary correction which could have been avoided.

Dogs need their own time and space. Quality outing in the morning and a longer walk in the evening is sufficient (Quality not quantity), as for training - a well bred dog doesn't even need that much training as many people think (depending on breed and required work). The dog will be more calm and happier with a structured lifestyle. So will you.

Oh yea true good advice cheers