[The Coot Commander]

I've heard conflicting views on the subject, and thought I'd ask y'all. I'm planning on getting a duck dog here in the near future, and I was wondering if keeping the dog inside affects their performance as a working dog. I've heard some people say that keeping a duck dog inside will make them useless, and others say it doesn't matter. Your two cents from those with experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rick Hall]

I've heard some people say that keeping a duck dog inside will make them useless, and others say it doesn't matter.

The truth lies between those extremes. A great many top shelf dogs live indoors, but an indoor dog probably isn't going to be as weatherproof as the same dog spending more time outdoors acclimating to harsh weather. I enjoy the company of dogs enough that I'll gladly trade whatever weatherproofing is lost to have them with me more of the time. Especially given the compensation afforded by neoprene vests.

 

[goodkarmarising]

I've heard some people say that keeping a duck dog inside will make them useless, and others say it doesn't matter.

The truth lies between those extremes. A great many top shelf dogs live indoors, but an indoor dog probably isn't going to be as weatherproof as the same dog spending more time outdoors acclimating to harsh weather. I enjoy the company of dogs enough that I'll gladly trade whatever weatherproofing is lost to have them with me more of the time. Especially given the compensation afforded by neoprene vests.

I agree...but my mutt is always wanting me to roll the window down so he can hang his head out the window, even in the middle of this cold snap around KC...nothing like it being below 0 and having a dog looking at you wanting his window rolled down.

 

[scheister]

i agree with Rick. our lab comes indoors pretty frequently, but is kept in our backyard during the day. Socialization and greater human contact + a smarter, keener dog. you don't put the dog in a kennel alone with an auto feeder and no interaction then expect it to perform well during the season. i always command her to stay put on her indoor pet bed with limited wandering around. i crate her every night. she gets in herself most of the time. dogs like to know their place.

until this week, i never really had to worry about dog performance in extreme weather and weather conditioning [i use a vest when in the 30s], but, man, it is unseasonably cold here in NE LA right now!! lowest since 2001. Of course, Global warming is the cause. I'm unsure if i even want to get out in it! i got out of the rice fields in Morehouse and Richland Parishes on an invitation to a classic, traditional hunt on Wham Brake south of Bastrop last Saturday. endured a ripping NNW wind that was miserable. no dogs used out there!!

 

[Drinkin' With Deacon]

My beast sleeps inside with the kids. I own a lab and to me what makes them so versatile is their ability to be performance dogs and such great pets.

The one thing you'll want to do is get your dog acclimated to taking a bath after a hunt or water training. That way he won't grunge up the house before you bring him inside. Deacon gets a bath every weekend of hunting, whether he needs it or not, just like I had to as a kid in order to get ready for church.

Deke

 

[plumgold1]

My mom spoils my pup, he sleeps on her bed sometimes. Hell I even let him on my bed if hes clean! Both my labs have been indoor dogs and it didnt affect there drive to hunt at all. I hunt In california so im not too worried about ice cold weather, especially this year thats for sure. My labs have been family dogs just as much as they have been hunters. Remember duck seasons only 3 months long.

 

[FOWL•language]

I have a yellow female lab and she stays inside a lot. I think it has been best for us and the dog. The more time you you spend with your dog the more you will understand each other. I train my own dogs and she has turned out to be the best hunting dog I've ever owned. But in return she has become the best family dog we have ever owned as well. I have two kids both under hree yars and they love her to death. She plays with them and has really just got such a bond with the family and myself. She has a bed inside and has great manners when guest come over. I have a fenced n yard that she spends a lot of time in as well. When it start t her cold outside you do need to get the dog accustomed to the weather. This way its not a total shock. I do use a vest for my dog. (Avery boaters dog parka) but I would use it any way. Not only for warmth but it assist in flotation and serves as a great chest protector n the corn fields and swamps. I myself like to give my dog a freshwater bath several times in the season. But you do not want to use any soap products that will clean any oils she has on her skin and coat. dogs need those to help water run off and keep dry. Remember your dog will be a hunting dog only a couple months a year. It will a member of the family all year long. Spend as much time around it as possible. the house will not break your hunting dog.

 

[Rick Hall]

The one thing you'll want to do is get your dog acclimated to taking a bath after a hunt or water training.

I strongly disagree with that, if you're speaking of bathing with soap that will remove the oils in a dog's coat that contribute to his water/weather proofing and keep his skin healthy. Far better just to rinse him with a swim in clean water or the hose and keep the dead hair brushed from his coat. (Is my understanding that brushing helps promote useful oil production and distribute it, and it has been my experience that the dead hair is actually where most of a dog's odor is.)

Oops. See fowllanguage was posting essentially the same while I was typing. But I'm wit him.

 

[Indaswamp]

Hey Rick,
Is there any kind of spray oil that you could use to help out with/ enhance the water proofing? You know, rinse, spray and then brush it in...curious...

 

[The Coot Commander]

Thanks for the input guys. I have a lab/chesapeake/something else right now that lives inside, and has never had much of a retrieving instinct at all so that kind of worried me a little bit. Most likely she just didn't have it to begin with. My dogs have always been like another member of the family so I would hate keeping them outside all the time. Now all I need to do is talk the wife into letting me get another dog........

Oh, and if you guys know of a really good breeder in the East Tennessee area, let me know. Thanks.

 

[HNTFSH]

Now all I need to do is talk the wife into letting me get another dog.......

Let a fuzzy puppy face at the front door do the talkin'.

 

[Rick Hall]

Hey Rick,
Is there any kind of spray oil that you could use to help out with/ enhance the water proofing? You know, rinse, spray and then brush it in...curious...

I've used some horse products (Show Sheen and Mane & Tail) for burr-proofing my long-haired pointing dogs, but have never heard of a water repellent for animals.

 

[swampbilly1980]

I've used some horse products (Show Sheen and Mane & Tail) for burr-proofing my long-haired pointing dogs, but have never heard of a water repellent for animals.

...I've always added some Cod liver or fish oil/and or Vitamin E to the meals for an extra oil secretion in the skin and fur. Makes a shiney/yet oily purty coat :yes:

 

[MacMan]

I've used some horse products (Show Sheen and Mane & Tail) for burr-proofing my long-haired pointing dogs, but have never heard of a water repellent for animals.

...I've always added some Cod liver or fish oil/and or Vitamin E to the meals for an extra oil secretion in the skin and fur. Makes a shiney/yet oily purty coat :yes:

I started with a large tbsp of Cod liver oil b.i.d. and it's changed her coat drastically as far as sheen and smell - she smells almost fishy - I won't wash her for another few weeks after hunting is finished - I will brush her pretty good every other day. But boys - it's in the low teens here in West TN/East MS and will be single digits this weekend. I'm not wanting to brave the temps to go hunting. . .

 

[swampbilly1980]

I've used some horse products (Show Sheen and Mane & Tail) for burr-proofing my long-haired pointing dogs, but have never heard of a water repellent for animals.

...I've always added some Cod liver or fish oil/and or Vitamin E to the meals for an extra oil secretion in the skin and fur. Makes a shiney/yet oily purty coat :yes:

I started with a large tbsp of Cod liver oil b.i.d. and it's changed her coat drastically as far as sheen and smell - she smells almost fishy - I won't wash her for another few weeks after hunting is finished - I will brush her pretty good every other day. But boys - it's in the low teens here in West TN/East MS and will be single digits this weekend. I'm not wanting to brave the temps to go hunting. . .

....I love pettin' a Chessie this time of year,..you can lube your gun with the residue on your hands afterwards :yes:

 

[canbakchaser]

my dog sleeps on my bed so the real answer is there is no answer it's personal choice

 

[MacMan]

....I love pettin' a Chessie this time of year,..you can lube your gun with the residue on your hands afterwards :yes:

YO Swamp;
I keep that pump hand cleaner around on every coffee table - Jaz has her own room/bed and it smells fishy in there - while I "won't" be glad that hunting season is over - I WILL be glad that she can get back to being washed regularly. . . I've been calling her "stinky".

 

[buckmeister]

Mac:

Its gonna be one degree in North East Oklahoma saturday morning, my hunting buddy called last night to say he wants to go, he always prides mimself on only wearing a ball cap with nothing covering his ears even in the mid 20's we will see if he can do this heading down the river when its one degree! I even bought him a turlethead from avery to wear with a ball cap that blocks wind but he would not wear it.

Ricks comment about brushing the dog to keep the oil spread through the coat is something I had not thought about doing in the winter. I am going to put some thought into an application for weather proofing the dogs coat, maybe a little coconut oil brushed in, at least it would keep them smelling good!

 

[MacMan]

Mac:

Its gonna be one degree in North East Oklahoma saturday morning, my hunting buddy called last night to say he wants to go, he always prides mimself on only wearing a ball cap with nothing covering his ears even in the mid 20's we will see if he can do this heading down the river when its one degree! I even bought him a turlethead from avery to wear with a ball cap that blocks wind but he would not wear it.

Ricks comment about brushing the dog to keep the oil spread through the coat is something I had not thought about doing in the winter. I am going to put some thought into an application for weather proofing the dogs coat, maybe a little coconut oil brushed in, at least it would keep them smelling good!

Hey Buck - good luck on your Ice journey - we did it last year and had the only boat on the lake - it wore us down so bad that we didn't go for two days - the second day after the 7deg WX the ducks turned on in a big way. . . SO, this year we are going 2 days after the bottom in temps. - besides, it's a major pain getting through that ice and then it ices up right behind your boat. . . GO BIG WATER with a current. Let us know - I want to hear how your lab handles it too.

To stay with topic - Both Buck and myself keep our dogs inside and wouldn't have it any other way. . . :wink:

 

[Drinkin' With Deacon]

The one thing you'll want to do is get your dog acclimated to taking a bath after a hunt or water training.

I strongly disagree with that, if you're speaking of bathing with soap....

No, I don't use soap, not even made for dog soap. I suggest to anyone who wishes to bring their dog inside and also have their significant other happy to bathe the beast after a hunt. The mud in my marsh is fine grained, gets in his coat and stays. I use the hose pipe in the driveway approach.

Deke