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AKnook

AKnook

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
578
Location
Anchorage Alaska
I just aquired a 3 year old German Shepherd this past week from my father in law. He can't really take care of it and was going to find a home for him. My wife and I were wanting a dog and took him in. It is very nice not having to worry about house breaking him.

He listens to commands and is great with the kids. He is very affectionate and is learning well. He hasn't been walked much and gets distracted when I take him out but he does well and heels when I tell him to. He doesn't pull much. I have to get him more acclomated to other dogs.

I would love to take him out with me on the rivers. Not every time but at least on smaller rivers for now. Does anyone have any tips regarding taking a dog out fishing? I don't want to take a leash and tie him up and walk with a leash. I would like him to just be near me when I am fishing and walk near me when hiking. Also, he would be good to put some bear bells on and he can be a look out for me too. It would be really cool to take him with me on some of my solo days on the water. Thanks!
 
he could be your body guard lol, do you have to keep an eye out for bears everywhere or just in the remote places
 
ChasinTails said:
he could be your body guard lol, do you have to keep an eye out for bears everywhere or just in the remote places
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They are everywhere. More so in more wooded areas with streams. Everytime I fish I take a gun and am bear conscious. They are prevalent in more out of the way places where salmon spawn, but we have salmon streams right in the city too. Like squirrels eating at you're bird feeders we have black bears that do that. I had one in the dumpster at my work last week. This is FAR from the woods. I would have never thought to see one at the dumpsters at work. From Anchorage you don't have to trvel too far to be in wild places. I have been fishing a river about 2.5 hours from downtown Anchorage and this place is a Mecca for brown bears.

I'm just wanting to take the dog more for companionship. And to see him play around some wild places. If he acts like a detterant and look out all the better.....oh and his name just happens to be Fin. Ha!
 
AKnook said:
They are everywhere. More so in more wooded areas with streams. Everytime I fish I take a gun and am bear conscious. They are prevalent in more out of the way places where salmon spawn, but we have salmon streams right in the city too. Like squirrels eating at you're bird feeders we have black bears that do that. I had one in the dumpster at my work last week. This is FAR from the woods. I would have never thought to see one at the dumpsters at work. From Anchorage you don't have to trvel too far to be in wild places. I have been fishing a river about 2.5 hours from downtown Anchorage and this place is a Mecca for brown bears.

I'm just wanting to take the dog more for companionship. And to see him play around some wild places. If he acts like a detterant and look out all the better.....oh and his name just happens to be Fin. Ha!
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.
 
buck said:
so you carry a gun in the woods, you don't bother with bear spray?
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if a bear is charging you trying to kill you bear spray isnt too effective plus they take a couple seconds to work id keep a handgun for must use situations
 
Bear spray is very effective. What makes me take a firearm out is the fact that I know that when I pull that trigger it WILL fire. Can you imagine getting a defective can of spray and to only find that out while a bear is bridging the gap! No thanks. I have yet to even pull the gun out of my holster. I have grabbed the handle of the gun but never had to take it out of the holster. Some VERY close encounters. But luckily they didn't care too much about me.
 
If you don't want to have him on a leach then I would leave him home until you can trust him/her to come when you call.
 
Take him for regular walks and start there with removing the leash and keeping him by your side. Watch he dosnt get distracted and starts taking off after squirrels etc. Once ou know he wont run off then start taking him down fishing with you, Dog training isn't something that can be done overnight, you have to work hard at it. Once trained properly everything should be fine.

My uncle used to have a german shep that he took everywhere, Could take him fishing and he would sit right by your side. But had a tendancy to chase after small animals. Whle spending a weekend on a Huron trib one year I had him down at the water with me and he dashed off into the bush real quick I was calling him out and when he finally came he was in rough shape. I guess he didn't like the porcupine that was in the woods and took a few bites. His face and mouth were littered with quills. Had to rush him to a vet and after all the quills came out there was a nice $300 bill to be taken care of...
 
I agree. Dog training doesnt happen overnight. You have to establish and alpha/beta bond with him. Once he sees you as the pack leader he's less likely to run off. The problem with dogs in bear country is oft times dogs end up attracting the bears cuz they go off, encounter them in the woods, and when the dog realizes he's gonna get his a$$ handed to him he hightails it back to his owner with an already pissed off bear in pursuit. I wouldnt have him off leash until you're confident in his voice recall. Germ sheps are very smart and loyal. Congrats on your new family member!
 
Time and patience, Find out what his favourite thing is, snacks/tennis ball/a stick etc being a german shepard he probably has a pretty good pray drive so u could even use a stuffed animal on a stick and use it as a way to focus the dog or reward depending on what u want. Also when u go out and ur walking to ur favourite spot if it is only a 5 min walk for example take some time to play with him first get him running around chasing something let him run and tire himself out, once he is tired there will be less resistance to any efforts of training. If its a long enough walk befor u start fishing then u should be fine but the point is to tire him out by the time u are ready to fish and keep a treat or a trigger toy to get his attention back when he gets distracted. This is the way the k-9 unit and airport search dogs are trained. as well its up to u but u could also look at using a really long leash at first and wien him off.
 
I know this is COMPLETELY off topic...but have you ever come across or seen the cast of Deadliest Catch? That was my favorite show on discovery back when it came out
 
I appreciate all the responses. I understand it will take some time and effort, I'm just eager to take him with me. Again, thanks!
 
fishing89 said:
I know this is COMPLETELY off topic...but have you ever come across or seen the cast of Deadliest Catch? That was my favorite show on discovery back when it came out
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Off topic but I will indulge.....I have seen the captain of the Time Bandit around a few times, Jonathan Hillstrand. Everytime I have been to Homer Alaska the crab boat is anchored there.
 
you got the right type of dog thats for sure, if you train german shepards with a firm hand they can almost do anything. the only thing id be concerned about is him chasing after bears, our neighbours old german shepard had no fear of animals what so ever, he would attack anything, porucpine's, skunk's, huge bulls you name it hed chase it. But thats where the firm hand training comes in... if you are passive type person these dogs can walk all over you. maybe even get him a shock collar if he darts off for whatever reason.
 

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