A lot has been written lately about fishing with dogs. Good fishing dogs, bad fishing dogs, PITA dogs interfering with your fishing, etc.
I fish with my dog as much as possible. I find that to make a good fishing dog, you need to take your dog fishing. To make a dog fish well with others, you need to take your dog fishing with others. A dog’s life purpose and heart’s desire is to make you happy. They find out pretty quick what makes you unhappy, and tend to avoid most of that most of the time. Most dog trainers will tell you they spend most of their time training the owner to communicate what they want to the dog.
Here’s some tips from me, a erratic dog trainer. I look forward to reading other tips from others.
Rule Number 1: You need to relax. If you relax, your dog relaxes. They tune into your body language and listen better when they are relaxed. If you’re not relaxed, they’re not either.
Second: Give ‘em a break. Yes they will splash the pool and spook the fish. Again, relax. Fish are used to things splashing the pool. Rockslides, deer, ospreys, beavers, cows, whatever. If fish gave up feeding for the rest of the day because something splashed the pool, they’d starve. AJ McClane said in some book years ago that if you take a break, the fish will resume feeding. He was right. He suggested having a smoke. You could use the current equivalent, checking your phone, but hopefully you’re out of service. In any event, take 10 minutes. If you can’t do that, go back to rule number 1.
Third: Keep perspective. If you were fishing to eat, you’d do it differently. You’re not. When you’re done with a pool, throw a stick for your partner, let’m swim, play a little bit. They like that too. That way it’s fun for them, and worth the time they spend standing next to you hoping to see a strike or catch. And sniffing the net never hurt a fish.
Four: Use the proper tools. New e-collars have pager functions that vibrate and get your dog’s attention. If you’re wading deep and your dog can’t follow, they may find that waiting for you gets tiresome. That e-collar can get their attention and divert them from chasing a deer or coyote or skunk or other dog, and can reinforce that recall. It’s easier to relax if you know you’ve a bit of technology to help you.
A word about boats: It’s hot in the summer. They need water and shade. Shade in boats generally limits fly casting. But it can be done. And they make PFD’s for dogs. I’d use ‘em on moving or cold water, or with dogs who cannot swim very well.
And lastly: give your dog a chance. If you’re going with someone who’s very serious, or otherwise with a situation you know your dog isn’t gonna have fun like some combat fishing situations with tons of people of all temperaments, don’t take the dog. In a large group, they ain't gonna bother me but there's always gonna be someone who isn't relaxed. And then you won't relax. Big violation of rule 1. If your dog is very young or batshit crazy like a cocoa lab or something, take them to places you'll be alone several times and let them age a bit before putting them in a challenging situation.
I hope that you and your dog have a good time or two this year. Me and Dugan have, and we'll have more.
Oh, and Dugan insists on the following additional rule:
One treat, broken in half, does not become two treats. It is still one treat. Clear?
I fish with my dog as much as possible. I find that to make a good fishing dog, you need to take your dog fishing. To make a dog fish well with others, you need to take your dog fishing with others. A dog’s life purpose and heart’s desire is to make you happy. They find out pretty quick what makes you unhappy, and tend to avoid most of that most of the time. Most dog trainers will tell you they spend most of their time training the owner to communicate what they want to the dog.
Here’s some tips from me, a erratic dog trainer. I look forward to reading other tips from others.
Rule Number 1: You need to relax. If you relax, your dog relaxes. They tune into your body language and listen better when they are relaxed. If you’re not relaxed, they’re not either.
Second: Give ‘em a break. Yes they will splash the pool and spook the fish. Again, relax. Fish are used to things splashing the pool. Rockslides, deer, ospreys, beavers, cows, whatever. If fish gave up feeding for the rest of the day because something splashed the pool, they’d starve. AJ McClane said in some book years ago that if you take a break, the fish will resume feeding. He was right. He suggested having a smoke. You could use the current equivalent, checking your phone, but hopefully you’re out of service. In any event, take 10 minutes. If you can’t do that, go back to rule number 1.
Third: Keep perspective. If you were fishing to eat, you’d do it differently. You’re not. When you’re done with a pool, throw a stick for your partner, let’m swim, play a little bit. They like that too. That way it’s fun for them, and worth the time they spend standing next to you hoping to see a strike or catch. And sniffing the net never hurt a fish.
Four: Use the proper tools. New e-collars have pager functions that vibrate and get your dog’s attention. If you’re wading deep and your dog can’t follow, they may find that waiting for you gets tiresome. That e-collar can get their attention and divert them from chasing a deer or coyote or skunk or other dog, and can reinforce that recall. It’s easier to relax if you know you’ve a bit of technology to help you.
A word about boats: It’s hot in the summer. They need water and shade. Shade in boats generally limits fly casting. But it can be done. And they make PFD’s for dogs. I’d use ‘em on moving or cold water, or with dogs who cannot swim very well.
And lastly: give your dog a chance. If you’re going with someone who’s very serious, or otherwise with a situation you know your dog isn’t gonna have fun like some combat fishing situations with tons of people of all temperaments, don’t take the dog. In a large group, they ain't gonna bother me but there's always gonna be someone who isn't relaxed. And then you won't relax. Big violation of rule 1. If your dog is very young or batshit crazy like a cocoa lab or something, take them to places you'll be alone several times and let them age a bit before putting them in a challenging situation.
I hope that you and your dog have a good time or two this year. Me and Dugan have, and we'll have more.
Oh, and Dugan insists on the following additional rule:
One treat, broken in half, does not become two treats. It is still one treat. Clear?
. He will stand next to or share a rock for a long time. He tracks my line…