Hunting with 2 dogs

[Joe Stead]

I'm thinking of getting 2 puppies to hunt with -- probably Brittanys. What problems can I expect -- one following the other instead of hunting, jealousy, etc?

Would getting an older dog and a puppy be worst?

Would getting puppies from 2 different litters help?


Thanks for your ideas.

[Greg Jennings]

I think having 1 pup at a time is the better policy. Having them 2 years apart is a good policy, IMHO.

Best,

[dhondtm]

Mine are almost 3 years difference, but I agree I tried to get the second one sooner. I had a late start training my oldest though so I expect to be working her in SH while working the other in JH before long. But, if you can finish one to concentrate on the other I bet it would work out better. I guess it depends on how much time you have too.

It is great to work a puppy with another puppy though. Good to find other people who are starting a puppy at the same time. The competitive nature in them to get the bird helps drive that instinct to want to get the bird first.

[Ryan]

I would definatly get one before the other. Eventually the older will train the younger for you. But you must break bad habits of the older one before you train a puppy on it.

[Ayres]

I'll... uh... "fourth" the suggestion to get one pup and then a second dog a couple years later. You'll find out that with most gun-dogs, one pup can be a handful in itself!

[mountaindogs]

I'll fifth the suggestion to space them apart.
puppies have enough trouble focusing when they don't have another puppy to play with. But with two it's sometimes a challenge. The competition can be useful though, early on, then a pain when their at a year or so...

But as for hunting together down the road - 2 is great. They will learn from each other. Good and bad.
And you can cover more ground with two.
And nothing beats watching one lock-up on point and then watching the other slide to a stop in a perfect back!!!

I'd get a started dog and hunt him/her a season and fix their problems the best that you can. Buy from a trainer that you can work with close by if you think you might need help. Then when your pretty happy with you first one, and he/she will honor through a retrieve (at least not steal it or act aggresive - that is if you want the younger one to retrieve) get your puppy.

Just my opinion

[Ryan]

But as for hunting together down the road - 2 is great. They will learn from each other. Good and bad.
And you can cover more ground with two.
And nothing beats watching one lock-up on point and then watching the other slide to a stop in a perfect back!!!

I agree but it gets the heart a goin when they lock up on seperate birds

[Joe Stead]

Thanks for all of your replies. I will get one about 2 years before the other. I thought that I would save time training, but there's always something to work until their veterans.

[birdshot]

If you have the time, and facilities I would get two pups. It's good to have multiple dogs to train. you just can't train them together. exercise together, feed, kennel all ok, just train one at a time. The chain gang works best when you have several pups to stake out and train. Get two if you are inclined, three would be better.

[ezzy333]

Birdshot give him a break. You are suggesting divorce or two or three poorly trained dogs. His daily schedule will look something like this.

5:30- rise and shine plus quick cup of coffee
5:45- get to kennels($1500 to build) and clean runs. feed and water plus spend 30 mins with each pup($1500 to buy) doing a little yard work
7:30- Back in the house, no time for breakfast, shower and shave and head to work
8:30- arrive at work a 1/2 hr late.
5:30- Head home,kiss wife and pat kids on the head and head to the kennels
6:30 arrive at kennels, clean and wash down the runs.
7:00- starty with first pup to exercise and do some training(1 hr should do it) and only two more to do
10:00- Get back to house where kids are in bed and some cold food is left from supper. Stick in micro wave, eat while watching news, leave dirty dishes in the sink, and head into the parlor to spend 5 mins with wife before she heads to bed.
11:00- Consider going to bed if you can get out of the easy chair.
11:30- Rouse up enough to get out of the chair and head to bed, Kiss wife on top of head and tuck the kids in and pass out.
12:00 Sound asleep

This is your schedule for the first year then it gets easier when you no longer have to kiss the wife or pat the kids that couldn't remember who you were since they left last month. However the expenses have gone up with three dogs to feed and 3 kids to support, and the alimony to pay. Also need to send the dogs to a trainer since you just haven't had time to devote to the special little needs that have come up with each pup. Oh well, its the American way.

Ezzy

[llewgor]

ezzy333
That's funny
Joe if you have the time get 2 or as many as you want. My 2 dogs are 2 years apart and that works for me. I wished I had the room and time for a bunch more.
Good luck.

[TAK]

It can be done if you know what you are doing.

[Greg Jennings]

It can be done if you know what you are doing.

So can Quantum Mechanics but I made a C in QM and wouldn't want to subject one of my dogs to a C-grade upbringing.

My first dog was my mistake dog. I'm doing a lot better with the second one.

Best,

[Ayres]

If you're engaged or married, do what I did.... "bait" the better-half with cutesy little puppies until she falls in love. Then always use the line "well you wanted him too!"

You might get a grumble every now and then, but as long as she's part of the puppy upbringing, she'll defend it like it was her own child.

With two or more, though, you're on your own, breaking new ground. If you decide to go that way, let us know how it works out (and what you did if it does work).

[Birdhunter1]

I have a siml\ilar story Ayres, my girlfriend knows that I quail hunt alot and that is what makes me the person I am. But that doesn't mean I am agreeign to a fall or winter wedding. Why ruin a perfectly good quail season before it ever starts.

[OhioOnPoint]

What it really boils down to is how much time do you have to spend with your pups and how much time do you want to spend with your pups.

Having 2 pups at the same time can have benefits if the pups will also be family / house dogs. They tend to keep each other occupied.

Best bet is to work with them seperately for quite awhile. They will likely have different personalities and learn at different speeds.

I find that when I have more than 1 puppy at a time, usually the pup that learns the fastest is the one that gets more time spent with it, and thus usually turn out to be the best of the bunch.

Dogs that are perfect are needles in haystacks. If you find that one of your pups has the potential, spend the time with it needed. Don't short change your best dog to bring along another dog!

[Birdhunter1]

Having been there and done that I can say it is much easier to run one puppy at a time. A dog I have who is now 3 1/2 I use to run with her sister and it was ok till they got to chewing on each others ear and running along and literally running along-long way. Then they woudl find a bird and they'd go chasing after it.
It was a mess, but once they got the idea it doesn't hurt the side of their neck as much to listen to me all was cool, kind of.

Having done it before I'd rather run one pup at a time. I'm not saying to get just one up now and another in a few years but if you get two now you'd be better off to split your time in thirds with them, each gets 1/3 to themselves, 1/3 in the truck, and 1/3 with both in the field.

But them again who wants to do that?

[Yawallac]

Here's another thing to think about. They both get old at the same time. It would be a little easier handling the loss of one with another still around.