duck blind dog

[outdoor ran]

I have a 6 mth old yellow lab thats going to be spending some time in the duck blind with me this fall. I have a 4' by 8' box blind on stillts, no land just thin marsh. Where would the best place for the dog to be. What are some ideas for getting the dog in and out of the blind and where the dog can see the action. thanks for any ideas

[Benny]

Put the dog up front and high enough to see what's going on.

It will need to see the ducks and watch them fall, then have a ramp or dog ladder to get the dog in and out of the blind.

If the dog doesn't see what is actualy happining it won't stay intrested and it won't see where the ducks fell.

Also the dog will see ducks before you do so watch the dog a little as it searches the sky as well.

One more think, make sure anything that you don't want to fall out of the blind,get wet,or get mowed over is out of the way.

At that age the dog will be super hyper to go retrieve the ducks and will bust out of the blind with a vengance.

Anything that can get wrecked will unless you take precautions.

Benny

[Gus]

Benny, that is pretty funny. I just love it when my dog sees a bird that I didn't as it flys by. The dogs expression is just priceless. "where were you on that one buddy".

[Wade Joseph]

I feel your pain Ran. I have a 11 month old Black lab that will be hunting for his first time this year. If I can find some places to hunt. Being used to the Mississippi river, Its gonna be tough.

[duckbuster]

My 1st thought would be at that age, how are you going to keep the dog on the platform unless the gunning is fast and furious. Even then you will probably be way to busy trying to get him to sit still.

Don't get me wrong I'm sure it can be done but asking a young dog like that to sit still in a box blind on stilts isn't going to be easy.

GOOD LUCK!!

[outdoor ran]

Thats what im worried about. Getting him to sit still. He'll be 8 1/2 mths old at duck season. Would i be better off keeping him home this fall. Keep working on the training. Hate to ruin all my mornings yelling at my dog. Hes a very hyper curious dude.

[Benny]

I would not leave the dog home, just make any hunting partners aware that the dog may bust out of the blind.

The pup's learn so much that first year, and nothing beats being out in the field to gain the experiance first hand.

Just have patience and remeber to keep it simple and don't get mad at the dog if it does go wild.

Just call it back and make it sit beside you, then show the dog what you want it to do.

Benny

[fishingguy]

I agree with benny. don't leave your little buddy at home. I've gone thru it several times and that is all part of the fun. HEHE! Worst case, use a leash and hold him in place while your hunting partner shoots a bird or 2. Or, I've even tied mine up, so they can't break. They eventually get it!

[Gordie]

I agree with benny & fishinguy dont leave dog at home . I've had my lab in the boat ever since he was 3months old and at first all he did was lay on his pillow and get this he slept even while we were blasting away. now he pays very close attention to what ever is going on in the blind and in the air. the only time I had a problem was when I took him fishing in the bost the first couple of times,my kids would cast and the dog would try to fetch the bobber. he stopped that nonsence although it was quite comical kept the kids laughing (me too) as for the entrance for the dog make a ramp out of plywood and space 1x2s every 12-14 inchesthe ramp that I use is about a foot wide .

[outdoor ran]

Thats a good idea to put a short chain in the blind to get him to stay at first.

Heres what I was thinking. Cutting a square in the bottom right side of the blind. Putting some kind of little platform outside so he could get his head out so he can see and less noise from guns. Then a ramp going down and below the water. Just got to find away so the ramp stays with the waves pounding it. Think that would work?

[Gordie]

sounds like areal good game plan . how deep is the water if not to deep you could hang the ramp by rubbercoated chain,like those found on swing sets and an anchor to bottom under ramp. hope this helps

[jlm]

Here is a good trick I have used in the past with some of my dogs early in the training process. Cut a square of 3/4 inch plywood approximately 2 feet square (or to the size of your dog). Screw in a eye hook in the front. Get a rope, leash, chain, or whatever with just enough length so that your dog will be able to sit on the platform. It should be very tight so that there is no play in the line. The dog will be able to sit on the platform but will unable to break on you until you unhook him from the line and allow him to go. If he tried to break, his own weight on the platform with prevent him from going. Do this in training sessions prior to actual hunting experience so that you can make all the adjustments you need to make it work perfect in the field. Eventually, you will be able to get rid of the line as he knows that platform is his perch. You will want to place this in an area so he can watch whats going on. If you have another good dog available, this also is very useful in teaching honoring. Good luck!

[JPowell]

i agree with JIM. i did the same thing with my 6month yellow last year. the platform in the bottom of the duck boat. he sat right there and just whimpered a little. i did get him use to sitting and staying on the platform before i brought him out. Try it out.

JP

[xedge2002]

You may want to leave your gun at home or in the truck as well the first few times out and work with your dog on what you want him to do in the blind while other people shoot birds. This way you can keep an eye on him when the other people are shooting and help him learn how you want him to behave.

[outdoor ran]

Thanks for the advice guys. The water is about 3ft-4ft where the blind is. I'm hoping to get out and put the boat blind in the back this weekend and cut a hole and do the platform ramp.

I want to do some training from the blind a few times before season. Then theres the early goose season. Its not looking good so far. Hes a fetching fool and loves water. I can shoot the 410 and hes fine. Hes just so stubborn and dosn't like to listen. I hope this is normal for a 7 mth old.