Bringing your dog in grizzly country

[grfox92]

I know there are guys (guides especially) who bring their dogs with them in the back country.

Just curious about in a hunting scenario, does the dog come with you or stay in camp? How do you keep them in camp? If they come with you how do you keep them from blowing out deer or elk? .

I now live in and will be hunting next season in a crazy high density grizzly area. Bringing two dogs with me would be a big help if I don't have someone to hunt with on a particular day.

I'm new to grizzly country and have no fear of hiking around with my dogs by my side (they are really good and stay right next to me in the field). But hunting alone in the forests of NW WY is something not too many guys recommend, maybe that will change for me over time but for now it makes me nervous.

The dogs are Mountain Curs and are pretty fearless. I have shock collars for them and don't think it's going to take much training for them to stay by my side when in the field.

So for anyone who brings their dog with them, what can you tell me about it?

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[Akwoodchuck]

A good dog is a great hunting partner, IF they heel....aside from the spooking game aspect, many a bear mauling has occurred when the frightened dog runs back to its owner. Keep them close and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Superdoo]

Train the heel command with a release command. Get them to heel reliably and remain at heel until a release command is given 100% of the time. I'd also make sure to have the "woah" command locked down to.

The advice above is coming from a "dog guy" not a guy with experience having dogs in grizzly country so take it FWIW.

 

[def90]

Training.. if your dog isn't properly trained leave it at home.

 

[BackcountryBloodline]

Double edged sword in my opinion. On one hand they can help alert you to a bears presence before your own senses pick up on it, the issue is bears aren't the only thing they'll pick up on and they may spend more time making you think every squirrel or grouse is a griz than anything else. On the other hand as mentioned a good portion of bear attacks are instigated by dogs getting territorial with bears then running back to the owner when they realize they've bit off more than they can chew. In my personal opinion they have potential to be more of a liability than helpful out there but that's just me...if anything I see the most value in dogs for tracking in thick country.

 

[Downeaster]

I take my beagle/lab mix with me most times when im filling baits. (more for fun for him than anything else). Id reiterate the command parts from above and for starting out i would say you have done well starting with a shock collar. Instant feedback helps a dog learn extremely quick. Once they know the deal, a beep is sufficient 90% of the time. Honestly just gives the dogs a better life when the know the deal and can have a greater level of freedom.
Mine is an awesome little bear detector. He just sits down and stares.

 

[grfox92]

Thanks guys, and one out there regularly bring along your dogs?

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[Decker9]

My main dog is by my side on every trip, and has saved my arse from two grizzly encounters, one which would have ended badly.

It was no easy task getting her to where she is today, many, many stalks on game in the off season. Black bears make great training tools for training a dog (their around every corner where I live).

The end result, a partner you wouldn't think about leaving home without.

 

[4rcgoat]

Awesome pics.....what kind of dog?

My main dog is by my side on every trip, and has saved my arse from two grizzly encounters, one which would have ended badly.



It was no easy task getting her to where she is today, many, many stalks on game in the off season. Black bears make great training tools for training a dog (their around every corner where I live).
Cool pics....what kind of dog?


The end result, a partner you wouldn't think about leaving home without.

View attachment 245482View attachment 245485

 

[hartigjosh]

I have been around two guides that had the sheep dogs (something tree collie mix) that look like they weigh 40 lbs, pardon me for not knowing the exact name. Both dogs were great on the trail and knew their way around horses. One was keen on finding grizzlies down the trail before we could bump them which was awesome. The other I literally shot my mule deer with it laying behind me. I think overall they were both value added to the experience and added a layer of safety. Also, it is just flat out awesome having a dog with you.
I don’t think I would take one archery hunting but I have zero issue rifle hunting with one by my side.

 

[Decker9]

Awesome pics.....what kind of dog?

Thanks . I was told she’s a Shepard/lab/catahoula mix.

 

[Tenstrike]

Great pics, the only thing bad about a dog....they don't live long enough!

 

[4rcgoat]

Thanks . I was told she’s a Shepard/lab/catahoula mix.
View attachment 245495

I would love to start taking my new dog in deep with me this spring but know she isnt disiplined enough as of now. Is there an optimal age to start training a dog/ or an age when its too late? Any recommendations for a starting point?

 

[VernAK]

get a kerilian......problem solved

 

[Decker9]

I would love to start taking my new dog in deep with me this spring but know she isnt disiplined enough as of now. Is there an optimal age to start training a dog/ or an age when its too late? Any recommendations for a starting point?

ASAP!! Even 5 minutes a day (whatever their attention span will allow) will be a big benefit. And lots of treats and good praises too, like humans, a good compliment to your dog will go a long ways.

My dog has had anxiety issues her whole life, especially separation anxiety. The dog pack has helped her tremendously in that department. I believe a pack (even an empty pack to start) is a good training tool.

As a pup, we had lots of blown and failed stalks (hunting and not) but it didn’t take her long to figure out what we were trying to do. The biggest tool I used, is any time we got within the zone of an animal, like any new dog, her excitement went through the roof. My job, is to kneel beside her, rub her ears and calmly insure her that, “it’s ok”, over, and over again. Starting off by teaching them to keep calm is the first step I believe.

The sit/staying is right there as well, I started off at short distance, and worked my way further away and eventually going out of sight for a while, and of course always rewarded with a treat and praise.

My one and only ram was on a solo hunt. The last day, I had one chance to make it happen. It was the longest “sit/stays” we’ve done. I left a bit of my gear with her and her dog bowl with wayer and was gone 4-5 hours by the time I got back to her with a ram in the bag.

In all honesty, with my dogs anxiety, I thought she was a dud for the first year or two. Persistent training can and will do wonders though.

 

[Salmonchaser]

I’ve been guiding on the Alaska peninsula for 20 years, always had dogs, see bears every day, 9/10 anyway. Operating from a lodge there is a difference in bear/dog interaction. Generally a bear, even one that has just come out of the park will run from the dogs for a short distance. There is then a critical exchange that goes something like “ok you little shit that’s enough”
Always best to have recalled the dog before then and as mentioned above you must have absolute control. The dogs are out when we are out doing chores/ taking care of guests that kind of thing. Almost a daily occurrence to have them alert on a bear coming into camp.
I do not release the dogs when we are inside for the evening or awakened by the dogs because of a bear. We respond, drive the bear off if needed. The dogs are too aggressive charging out of the house.
Bumping into a bear when out is completely different. The dogs often will pick up on the bear from a long distance if they can smell it and pushing through heavy cover, they can let you know there’s a bear in there. The difference is being in the bears domain not the dogs. I don’t take my dogs on fly out fishing trips, had too many bears chase the dogs. When I guide ptarmigan hunts I carry a rifle. Generally, because we’re up on the tundra, stay away from the Salmon streams we see the bears before there is a problem.
it’s a mixed bag of issues but as long as you have complete control of your dog there are great benefits.

 

[Blacktail22]

I bring my chocolate lab everywhere

 

[Beckjhong]

I live in NW WY. Depends on you. Depends on the dog. Depends on the bear. All you can control is your training, your reaction, your choices. You walk creek bottoms with a dog under marginal voice control in the spring, your odds for a bad time are high.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

I’d be more concerned with wolves. If they cut your dogs track you’re in for a hell ride.

Never ever leave your dog unattended in camp in wolf country.

 

[4rcgoat]

ASAP!! Even 5 minutes a day (whatever their attention span will allow) will be a big benefit. And lots of treats and good praises too, like humans, a good compliment to your dog will go a long ways.

My dog has had anxiety issues her whole life, especially separation anxiety. The dog pack has helped her tremendously in that department. I believe a pack (even an empty pack to start) is a good training tool.

As a pup, we had lots of blown and failed stalks (hunting and not) but it didn’t take her long to figure out what we were trying to do. The biggest tool I used, is any time we got within the zone of an animal, like any new dog, her excitement went through the roof. My job, is to kneel beside her, rub her ears and calmly insure her that, “it’s ok”, over, and over again. Starting off by teaching them to keep calm is the first step I believe.

The sit/staying is right there as well, I started off at short distance, and worked my way further away and eventually going out of sight for a while, and of course always rewarded with a treat and praise.

My one and only ram was on a solo hunt. The last day, I had one chance to make it happen. It was the longest “sit/stays” we’ve done. I left a bit of my gear with her and her dog bowl with wayer and was gone 4-5 hours by the time I got back to her with a ram in the bag.

In all honesty, with my dogs anxiety, I thought she was a dud for the first year or two. Persistent training can and will do wonders though.

Hard to believe a dog could be so disciplined enough to sit that long with you being gone,very impressive. I dont want to take my dog hunting with me,but would love to have the confidence of knowing that when she is faced with an opportunity to chase down a spooked deer,elk,or moose,that she will listen to my command and not let instinct take over. Gonna be an interesting early spring.