Letting go of it

[isonychia]

I'm a first time dog owner and constantly have thoughts of cougar, rattle snakes, and cliff falls running through my head, not to mention a deer chased off into the horizon. Now that my dog is almost 2 years old I am starting to let go a little, but still have a hard time with it. I'd like to go ptarmigan hunting with him this fall but am worried about all of the cliffs, I think he would chase a bird right on over one. Doesn't help that the people that used to live in my house lost an airedale that way. My guess is that my second dog will be a little easier, just like children.

[brad27]

I think he would chase a bird right on over one.

Sounds like it's time for your dog to get broke.

[AzDoggin]

I think he would chase a bird right on over one.

Sounds like it's time for your dog to get broke.

Agree. Age 2 years old, it may be the time to finish the dog to steady to shot and fall. Once you have confidence that he is, the cliffs won't be so scary.

Cougars and whatnot - you're on your own there. Have to guess those encounters are pretty rare??? He's snake aversion trained, right? Has the Red Rocks vaccine in him?

[DonF]

I never hunted near chiff's that bad with my dogs. Not even broke dogs. There is no bird worth taking that kind of risks with. I think there is or was someone on here that did hunt ptarmigan in Colo but he never mentioned cliff's.

[SCT]

I saw a ptarmigan once a few years ago in CO. It was at 12,000 feet and no cliffs there, just steep hills. I like a dog that takes risks, shows he's got guts. Probably should get a handle on him though.

[gotpointers]

I hunt around a lot of hazards. Had one dog break a tooth when he didn't make a jump, but other than that no problems. I won't take my dogs out where rattlesnakes are unless its a real cool early fall morning. from what i have seen most of the dogs are killed by vehicles.

[birddogger]

Any time you have your dog out, there can be potential hazards but worrying too much is going to do nothing but cause you stress and keep you from enjoying the dog and the sport. Having a well broke dog will help but I think I would just avoid areas that appeared too hazardous.

Charlie

[isonychia]

Yeah breaking him was in the works for this year but as you may have seen my bird rant :roll: Still time though. Mostly stay away from rattlesnake territory until it cools down, making my training grounds move from 5 miles away to 20.

[reba]

I can tell you this: If you are out with your dog and spot a mountain lion, just fire a shot in it's direction and that lion will kick into the fastest high gear you have ever seen.

GPS collar for your dog is a really good idea.

A shock collar turned all the way up, when you see your dog chasing game or live stock, fry him. They learn fast. Same applies to snakes and rodents. If there ever was a real need for a shock collar these are it.

Whoa is a must.

I also hunt around cliffs, chukar hunting. I try and keep my dogs away from the edges. Did I say WHOA!

[gotpointers]

I can tell you this: If you are out with your dog and spot a mountain lion, just fire a shot in it's direction and that lion will kick into the fastest high gear you have ever seen.

GPS collar for your dog is a really good idea.

A shock collar turned all the way up, when you see your dog chasing game or live stock, fry him. They learn fast. Same applies to snakes and rodents. If there ever was a real need for a shock collar these are it.

Whoa is a must.

I also hunt around cliffs, chukar hunting. I try and keep my dogs away from the edges. Did I say WHOA!

+1

[isonychia]

I can tell you this: If you are out with your dog and spot a mountain lion, just fire a shot in it's direction and that lion will kick into the fastest high gear you have ever seen.

GPS collar for your dog is a really good idea.

A shock collar turned all the way up, when you see your dog chasing game or live stock, fry him. They learn fast. Same applies to snakes and rodents. If there ever was a real need for a shock collar these are it.

Whoa is a must.

I also hunt around cliffs, chukar hunting. I try and keep my dogs away from the edges. Did I say WHOA!

Yeah I love having the GPS!@ The thing about cougar is that normally when you see them it is too late. I worked with cougar specialists last summer who were GPS collaring them and got to go to a few kill sites when my mapping days were slower. Pretty neat, but they confirmed that a cougar will take a dog (no, none of the kill sites were dogs, but one was a full grown 3-4 year Elk Cow and her calf), any size, without hesitation. Also, I heard a few local accounts of cougar eating dogs, one was a full grown lab that didn't even break the stride of the lion... amazing