DISCLAIMER - Posts in this thread may be long winded. I'm using it as sort of a journal with photos for my first hunting dog, and would like to share with others who may appreciate it. I suck at proofreading (misspelling and typing wrong words) so I apologize in advance. Any advice from others is thoroughly welcome. I look forward to the days of training, hunting morning evening and night, and using my 4 legged friend to introduce others to hunting and the public land I have come to love in my adult life.
For the past 7 or 8 years I have wanted a hunting dog. I've never owned one, and only hunted a few times with them. Once with deer dogs, multiple times with hog dogs, and a few times running coons. Years of thinking what kind of dog and what kind of hunting I wanted I decided that I wanted to hunt a large portion of hunting season and even year round. If I'm going to feed it year round might as well hunt it year round. I decided on a combo treeing dog for coons and squirrels which led me to looking at Curs. It has taken awhile to put my dream into play, but life has finally lined up for it. A job where I'm not traveling and constantly on call, a good woman at home to help with taking care of it as well as family near by for when I/we are on the road.
I wanted to get a pup at the end of this hunting season, so I would have time all spring and summer to train and get for next hunting season. Even decided to give up much of my 2020-2021 deer season and Western dreams so I can focus of giving the dog the best start possible. I had planned on getting a pup out of a Tennessee Treeing Brindle, which the due date was January 12th. I called the guy shortly after the due date and found out the female that had paired twice with the male, just never got pregnant. I asked the handful of people I know that are involved with dogs (or know of others), and my buddy Adam put me in touch with Mr. Carlton. A brief phone conversation with Mr. Carlton last week and he told me he had two Mountain Cur pups for sale.
I visited Mr. Carlton on Monday. He is older in age, and due to a recent eye injury while squirrel hunting is selling a few of his younger dogs that need to be hunted. He advised that I go with the 7mo pup who was already treeing squirrels on his own even though he hasn't been worked that much. I feel there is a lot to learn from him in his years of experience, and hate to go against his judgement, but I feel that if I am going to do this, I want to start my own dog. The 4mo female shined in her kennel. All of the dogs barked and pawed at the fence. She calmly looked at us wagging her nub, and joined in with a few barks. I named her there Sweetie.
Inside his shop he showed me some vests he makes. If anyone is interested in a small game/upland bird vest I'll gladly put you in touch with him. Similar price as other vests I've looked at online, but the material is indestructible, and balances well with weight. He gave me a long skinny piece of material, cut a tear down the middle, and told me to continue the rip with my hands. It wouldn't budge. Vest has multiple large pockets, lined game bag, and shell holders on the front. He doesn't advertise them, just sells by word of mouth. We agreed on a price for the dog and a vest, and I planned to return the next day.
Last night me and Ashley went to get the pup, but first sat and visited with he and his wife. Both polite and kind people. Mr. Carlton has raised squirrel dogs for 60 years, and I feel will be a great resource. He gave me lots of advise for getting the pup started and reminded me many times to call with questions. I hope to hunt with him some next season.
Ashley drove home while I carried Sweetie in my lap. Her calmness was almost unnerving. Sat up a few times, but mostly laid there for the hour long ride. She smelled TERRIBLE . Not knocking anyone that keeps hunting dogs kenneled, is what it is. But we wanted this dog to be a part of our home, and hopefully she'll have that switch when it's time to hunt, it's go time. First thing we were doing was giving her a bath (even after a bath my hands still stink today). It's easier to bathe the dog, and I needed one myself, so I put her in the shower with me. She whimpered and pawed at the glass when I first shut her in by herself, and it was good to see some form of life out of her. She gave me no problems in the shower or drying off. After the shower we let her explore the house. Now she had a bubble and veered from being petted, but she would follow me from room to room. She wanted to come to us, but was a little nervous. We introduced her to Ashley's dog Millie and they seemed fine. Just had to keep Millie from getting too excited. Sweetie seemed a little happier with Millie around. The night was thankfully peaceful. Only whining and barked for the first minute. I think having Millie sleep in the same room helped.
This morning she was hesitant to voluntary leave the kennel. Even when coaxed with a few pieces of dog food. She is use to being fed once a day in the evenings. I suspect when she gets a little hungrier she'll warm up more. I brought her outside and she peed and pooped. Would call to her, again with food, but she still maintained her bubble. I enjoyed watching her outside. The entire time on the move with her nose on the ground. I have high hopes for her. I leave for work earlier than Ashley so she continued to hang out with the dogs in the house. Shortly after I left, I got a text and video from Ashley. She was petting Sweetie and said that since I had left she would run to the door and whine, and then run to Ashley. She only stopped whining when she was petted, and repeated that multiple times. I selfishly enjoyed that.
Later Ashley sent more pictures and videos of her outside with the dogs. Sweetie is starting to warm up to us. I've been saving coon and squirrel hides, tails, and even a few hides with the heads and tails in the freezer since last season. Look forward to getting home, and letting her chase a tail on a string.
For the past 7 or 8 years I have wanted a hunting dog. I've never owned one, and only hunted a few times with them. Once with deer dogs, multiple times with hog dogs, and a few times running coons. Years of thinking what kind of dog and what kind of hunting I wanted I decided that I wanted to hunt a large portion of hunting season and even year round. If I'm going to feed it year round might as well hunt it year round. I decided on a combo treeing dog for coons and squirrels which led me to looking at Curs. It has taken awhile to put my dream into play, but life has finally lined up for it. A job where I'm not traveling and constantly on call, a good woman at home to help with taking care of it as well as family near by for when I/we are on the road.
I wanted to get a pup at the end of this hunting season, so I would have time all spring and summer to train and get for next hunting season. Even decided to give up much of my 2020-2021 deer season and Western dreams so I can focus of giving the dog the best start possible. I had planned on getting a pup out of a Tennessee Treeing Brindle, which the due date was January 12th. I called the guy shortly after the due date and found out the female that had paired twice with the male, just never got pregnant. I asked the handful of people I know that are involved with dogs (or know of others), and my buddy Adam put me in touch with Mr. Carlton. A brief phone conversation with Mr. Carlton last week and he told me he had two Mountain Cur pups for sale.
I visited Mr. Carlton on Monday. He is older in age, and due to a recent eye injury while squirrel hunting is selling a few of his younger dogs that need to be hunted. He advised that I go with the 7mo pup who was already treeing squirrels on his own even though he hasn't been worked that much. I feel there is a lot to learn from him in his years of experience, and hate to go against his judgement, but I feel that if I am going to do this, I want to start my own dog. The 4mo female shined in her kennel. All of the dogs barked and pawed at the fence. She calmly looked at us wagging her nub, and joined in with a few barks. I named her there Sweetie.
Inside his shop he showed me some vests he makes. If anyone is interested in a small game/upland bird vest I'll gladly put you in touch with him. Similar price as other vests I've looked at online, but the material is indestructible, and balances well with weight. He gave me a long skinny piece of material, cut a tear down the middle, and told me to continue the rip with my hands. It wouldn't budge. Vest has multiple large pockets, lined game bag, and shell holders on the front. He doesn't advertise them, just sells by word of mouth. We agreed on a price for the dog and a vest, and I planned to return the next day.
Last night me and Ashley went to get the pup, but first sat and visited with he and his wife. Both polite and kind people. Mr. Carlton has raised squirrel dogs for 60 years, and I feel will be a great resource. He gave me lots of advise for getting the pup started and reminded me many times to call with questions. I hope to hunt with him some next season.
Ashley drove home while I carried Sweetie in my lap. Her calmness was almost unnerving. Sat up a few times, but mostly laid there for the hour long ride. She smelled TERRIBLE . Not knocking anyone that keeps hunting dogs kenneled, is what it is. But we wanted this dog to be a part of our home, and hopefully she'll have that switch when it's time to hunt, it's go time. First thing we were doing was giving her a bath (even after a bath my hands still stink today). It's easier to bathe the dog, and I needed one myself, so I put her in the shower with me. She whimpered and pawed at the glass when I first shut her in by herself, and it was good to see some form of life out of her. She gave me no problems in the shower or drying off. After the shower we let her explore the house. Now she had a bubble and veered from being petted, but she would follow me from room to room. She wanted to come to us, but was a little nervous. We introduced her to Ashley's dog Millie and they seemed fine. Just had to keep Millie from getting too excited. Sweetie seemed a little happier with Millie around. The night was thankfully peaceful. Only whining and barked for the first minute. I think having Millie sleep in the same room helped.
This morning she was hesitant to voluntary leave the kennel. Even when coaxed with a few pieces of dog food. She is use to being fed once a day in the evenings. I suspect when she gets a little hungrier she'll warm up more. I brought her outside and she peed and pooped. Would call to her, again with food, but she still maintained her bubble. I enjoyed watching her outside. The entire time on the move with her nose on the ground. I have high hopes for her. I leave for work earlier than Ashley so she continued to hang out with the dogs in the house. Shortly after I left, I got a text and video from Ashley. She was petting Sweetie and said that since I had left she would run to the door and whine, and then run to Ashley. She only stopped whining when she was petted, and repeated that multiple times. I selfishly enjoyed that.
Later Ashley sent more pictures and videos of her outside with the dogs. Sweetie is starting to warm up to us. I've been saving coon and squirrel hides, tails, and even a few hides with the heads and tails in the freezer since last season. Look forward to getting home, and letting her chase a tail on a string.
