dogs getting in the way

[Covey]

My little fox terrier will set and watch. I take him to the woods to squirrel hunt/ stumpshoot and he'll actually find my arrow's...huh, if I miss that is!  :D  Jason

[GRINCH]

The pitt I used to have would do that,as soon as I picked up my bow he'ld run straight to the target drove me crazy.

[Hawkeye]

This whole thread is built on a false premise.  Your dogs aren't "in the way"... they're HELPING!       Look at the "smile" on your furry friends' faces, and you'll know it's the truth!!  

[Lee Robinson .]

I REALLY APPRECIATE dogs. The old saying "a dog is a man's best friend" may very well be true. It may also be his most loyal friend.

Unfortunately, loose and uncontrolled dogs are a MAJOR PROBLEM in the US. People are seldom as responsible as they need to be.

I don't think it is wise to rush practice. When we practice we need to be calm in our minds to establish good form. Doing some obedience training with the dog will go a long way if you want to keep the dog loose while you are practicing. Of course a kennel or crate would work well too.

I have had dogs my entire life, but I don't let them get in my way. Instead, they are an addition to my life. I have also been hunting and had my hunts ruined because dogs owned by others have been allowed to run loose and come to my location only to bark at me if they spot me (although in most cases they just wonder on by). One time I had a rottweiler find me at around 6 am when I was on my way into the woods. He wouldn't leave me and was very defensive natured (although forward) and would stay about 1 yards from me barking non-stop. I was REALLY close to shooting him with a blunt but that is just against my nature despite being upset with him. Every time I would turn to walk off, he would pursue me. I ended up having to walk towards him to "walk him home" and then had a conversation with the owner. I told the owner should he come back at me again I might not be so patient and asked them to put their dog up. They did, but people shouldn't have to be asked. Typically, dogs are not the problem. They only do what we allow them to do. It is the people that need to accept the responsibility to prevent bad behavior.

I hope my comments help you. If training is beyond your skills, contact a professional trainer in your area. It will benefit the relationship between you and your dog by lowering your stress and by motivating your dog's desire to please. (Personally, I would stay away from trainers that use a lot of compulsion exercises...as I favor the treat/reward methods).

[Friend]

Had both the cat and house mutt routinely get in the fireing line. My wife always sounds the alarm if I'm letting them get too close.

Wish I had some pics. On at least two occassions, I have had let deer pass between me and the target and one time I was only 15 yards away from the target. They were so used to seeing me shoot that they routinely came and fed in the back yard while I was shooting. My back yard was not that big since I lived on .78 acre plot. Too bad we moved.

[Mint]

I had a pit that I use to take to my archery club when i shot the muzzy stump course. The dog knew she had to wait until I hit the block off the stump. It was pretty funny sometimes if i didn't hitthe block in the first couple of arrows she would start with a low cry like "Enough already hit the block!" I sure miss that dog.

[maineac]

My older GSP is so hyper-driven to retrieve that I can no longer work him with retrieving dummies, or objects.  That translates to the arrow.  He spins in circles whining if he even sees the bow. I can get him to sit behind me wile I shoot, but his whining makes it impossible for me to focus, so he is left in the house after I sneak the bow out. My younger dog is fine, but serious retrieving training has not started.  I hope he doesn't have OCD my older one has.

[Ken Taylor]

That reminds me of another arrow/pet encounter.

Last november at my friend's farm I learned something:

Do not sharpen broadheads that are attached to arrows with large bright feathers if there are any kittens around.

[Montanawidower]

I have a kennel full of hunting dogs and thats where they have to stay while I'm shooting.  One out is fine, but controlling several is too distracting.

[Woodduck]

It's good for dogs to be taught commands for what they can and can't do...come, heel, sit, stay. Your life will be easier and may save your pets life. My dog obeys whistle commands for come and sit. Could keep them from being run over in traffic. When I release my dog, she will run to the target and bump the lowest arrow with her nose. She's very proud and I am too.(that they are in the target...haha)

[ChristopherO]

My dogs aren't too bad since I had to train the one to stop jumping at the pointy sticks flying through the air.  Crazy dog.  :rolleyes:  
The cats love to sit on top of the roundbales and watch the arrows thump in below them.  So far no cat shishkabobs.   :D  
My main issue is when I do want to break out a rifle and shoot the range.  Never an issue before we built the pasture around the back stop but now, whether a cow or horse is there they always have to graze in front of the target as soon as I staple one to the stand.  :mad:    :mad:    :mad:

[chopx2]

My dog likes to sniff the arrows and stands there wondering why I haven't sent another one down...worse in my 3yo does the same ting. He starts off to my side and starts creeping closer with each shot. Then I made him stand behind me and a couple shots in he is practically under my bow string...

So I do a lot of shooting at night in the flood lights after bedtime.

[Thumper Dunker]

My ausie Sits be sides me and waits till Im finished then he helps finds the arrows.

[Killdeer]

A dog that won't behave is not only a pain in the butt, it's a hazard. Here is a video of my pooch, a Jindo, who sees that I am not going to enforce the command.

 

But as long as she stays out of the line of fire, I am happy.

 

Having learned that to a Jindo, life is a series of challenges, I am more adamant about my commands and responses.

Killdeer  

[Hoyt]

Ole Jake minds pretty good. When we go out to shoot he may take off running past the target into the woods, but I just call him back and he lays down beside me or behind me and chews on a bone or looks up into the trees for squirrels.

 

[guspup]

My lab says he's smarter than that..... as for his sister...........