Best Hunting/Guard/Family Dog Training Guides

ante_1313

ante_1313

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Hi all,

I wasn't sure where to post this... seemed like the most appropriate area.

I was wondering if any of you could point me towards some of the books/guides that you find to be the best for dog training. I am in the pondering stages of getting a large dog and want to find out a little more about the training (etc.) that would go along with ownership. And just a side note, at this point in time, I am leaning strongly towards a Rhodesian Ridgeback, if at all possible. I would want this dog for hunting, guarding the house (passively), and as a companion/family dog.

Also, feel free to post any other guides/books that could be of use to other CGNers :)

Regards.
 
Find the local Kennel club for the breed of dog you like, and go visit them on one of their outings. Its nothing like seeing it all first hand.
 
A good friend of mine has a Ridgeback...he is a BIG boy...big for even a Rhodesian. He is the best dog...great with his kids (infants/toddlers), friendly to company - strangers and friends alike when welcomed into their house or cottage at the lake...but intimidating to those that don't know him. His warning bark is enough to send most people running if he doesn't know you/you're not accompanied by his owner(s). He's never been aggressive, but the fear factor he can put out is deterrent enough to me. I have 2 Siberian Huskies that are both almost 12 and I am strongly considering a Ridgeback (based on my experiences with this dog) as my next dog when these two unfortunately happen to pass on.
 
I own a german wirehaired pointer.Super friendly,great hunter,loves kids and very playfull
but i pitty anyone who would try and unlawfully enter my home or harm my family.
He carries a hidden monster inside of him that gives even me cold chills when you see it emerge.
I would not want to be on the receiving end of his angry protective side at all.
Most wire and short hairs that i have known have these great traits.
 
I have an older GSP and a young drahthaar. I know of this "hidden monster".

What type of hunting are you planning on doing with the dog?
 
One good dog training technique I can offer is to use a training/working collar - something to symbolize 'training time' in the dog's mind. Gotta start this young.

Start young in general. Pups tend to forget a lot of things you teach them at about 6 months of age - but they remember how to train.

Hand signals _combined_ with vocal/whistle commands work awesome - they teach your dog to pay attention to you for what to do next. Remember they are not terribly useful in the field unless he's just retrieving as he will not be able to see you a lot of the time.

Make sure you're the dominent member of the household and never let the dog get a leg up on you. Good hunting dogs will constantly test for dominance - even if they don't want it, they want to know you know what you're doing.

Get a good book on animal behavior and body language and learn how to judge where your dog is at emotionally.

If your dog starts to get distracted while training, take the training collar off and do something fun for a bit.

Trying to train while the dog is not in the mind for it will reinforce disobedience.
 
The Ridgeback was originally from South Africa and used to hunt lions.
The first kennel in Ontario was KRAAL KENNELS and I worked there as a young boy( I'm 70 now)
The huge male was Beausola and huge,aggressive an had hunted in Africa. I'm sure thebreed is a little more docile now. FYI JITC
 
Thanks for all of the great feedback, guys.

I would most likely be hunting everything from ducks, geese and fowl, all the way up to deer and moose. So a pretty wide range. I am, however, gonna continue to stick to the "don't hunt nothing that can hunt you" rule.

I'm situated in BC so there is a wide variety of tasty things running around. :D

I will definitely look up a local kennel club to check out the Ridgebacks. I do love what great potential they have, given proper training and care.
 
thebigslide said:
One good dog training technique I can offer is to use a training/working collar - something to symbolize 'training time' in the dog's mind. Gotta start this young.

Start young in general. Pups tend to forget a lot of things you teach them at about 6 months of age - but they remember how to train.

Hand signals _combined_ with vocal/whistle commands work awesome - they teach your dog to pay attention to you for what to do next. Remember they are not terribly useful in the field unless he's just retrieving as he will not be able to see you a lot of the time.

Make sure you're the dominent member of the household and never let the dog get a leg up on you. Good hunting dogs will constantly test for dominance - even if they don't want it, they want to know you know what you're doing.

Get a good book on animal behavior and body language and learn how to judge where your dog is at emotionally.

If your dog starts to get distracted while training, take the training collar off and do something fun for a bit.

Trying to train while the dog is not in the mind for it will reinforce disobedience.
Click to expand...

Thats great advice. I had never heard the collar technique before. Duly noted. Thanks.
 
Shooster said:
A good friend of mine has a Ridgeback...he is a BIG boy...big for even a Rhodesian. He is the best dog...great with his kids (infants/toddlers), friendly to company - strangers and friends alike when welcomed into their house or cottage at the lake...but intimidating to those that don't know him. His warning bark is enough to send most people running if he doesn't know you/you're not accompanied by his owner(s). He's never been aggressive, but the fear factor he can put out is deterrent enough to me. I have 2 Siberian Huskies that are both almost 12 and I am strongly considering a Ridgeback (based on my experiences with this dog) as my next dog when these two unfortunately happen to pass on.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I am looking for.

What do you think of the Siberian Huskies? I have only had extended contact with one, but he was also half wolf. Amazingly great dog though, belonged to my neighbours and I would often take him for walks (or rather I'd accompany him for walks) when I was really young. He was nothing like the common description of dogs who are 50% wolf.
 
ante_1313 said:
Thanks for all of the great feedback, guys.

I would most likely be hunting everything from ducks, geese and fowl, all the way up to deer and moose. So a pretty wide range. I am, however, gonna continue to stick to the "don't hunt nothing that can hunt you" rule.

I'm situated in BC so there is a wide variety of tasty things running around. :D

I will definitely look up a local kennel club to check out the Ridgebacks. I do love what great potential they have, given proper training and care.
Click to expand...

While I am not very familiar with the breed, from what I understand the ridgeback is a "hunting dog" in the way an elkhound is a "hunting dog". In there country of origin I am sure they do their job well, however, in BC you are not allowed to use a dog for hunting big game (well they have to be on a leash, so what is the point) and I think a ridgeback would be useless as a retriever. Please, someone feel free to set me straight, but a bird dog they ain't.

Now a drahthaar could do double duty.
 
Pudelpointer said:
While I am not very familiar with the breed, from what I understand the ridgeback is a "hunting dog" in the way an elkhound is a "hunting dog". In there country of origin I am sure they do their job well, however, in BC you are not allowed to use a dog for hunting big game (well they have to be on a leash, so what is the point) and I think a ridgeback would be useless as a retriever. Please, someone feel free to set me straight, but a bird dog they ain't.

Now a drahthaar could do double duty.
Click to expand...

Oh, good point. I really do like the Ridgebacks though, but I guess the hunting aspect may have just gone out the window.

Guess I'll just have to get 2 dogs then. :)
 
Best one I ever had that hunted, chased, retrieved and guarded was a Border collie...Biggest suck around kids but strangers, another story except if he saw you were a friend to me.
 
I have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, one of the best hunting dogs I have owned. Not only is he a excellent retriever, but also great for flushing. For around the house, he is not a very vocal dog, but when someone comes in that he does not know, he lets us know. My Daughter (20 months) beats on him regularly, pulls his tongue, tail, and other things that hang down (OUCH) and he just takes it. He is quite protective of her when we are out and about, I would not want to be the person to approach her if she was alone.
 
ante_1313 said:
That's exactly what I am looking for.

What do you think of the Siberian Huskies? I have only had extended contact with one, but he was also half wolf. Amazingly great dog though, belonged to my neighbours and I would often take him for walks (or rather I'd accompany him for walks) when I was really young. He was nothing like the common description of dogs who are 50% wolf.
Click to expand...

Huskies are amazing dogs...great companions and super friendly with EVERYONE (adults, kids, strangers, you name it).

That said...they'd show a would-be burglar where the expensive things are kept/hidden in a break in...they are that friendly. A guard dog they are not.

They are also known for their tendency to run...especially when young...it is what they were bred for...it is not in their nature to be well controlled by voice or hand signals in an off leash environment. Are there examples of off leash obedience out there...absolutely, but it is the exception by far, and not the rule with huskies.

Bottom line...they are beautiful looking, friendly, loyal companion dogs. Both of mine have complete goofball personalities...it is quite entertaining!
 
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