I have a four year old Staffie that I will be taking night fishing for the first time .
We have had her about ten months now , the lake is in the middle of nowhere so do road traffic to worry about.
Looking for tips and advice please .
We have had her about ten months now , the lake is in the middle of nowhere so do road traffic to worry about.
Looking for tips and advice please .
In reply to Post #1
Is she trained with good recall? .... if not i would get this sorted before taking her
A trained dog is a great companion when fishing ..... an untrained dog is a liability when fishing and its no fun.
Is she trained with good recall? .... if not i would get this sorted before taking her
A trained dog is a great companion when fishing ..... an untrained dog is a liability when fishing and its no fun.
In reply to Post #2
She is Paul she a good girl
She is Paul she a good girl
You'll never have to wash your pots and plates again yourself 
Just be careful where you leave baited hooks.
Chap I know hooked his last 3 pooches (he only has them for a while as hearing dogs).
Wants shooting imho
Chap I know hooked his last 3 pooches (he only has them for a while as hearing dogs).
Wants shooting imho
In reply to Post #2
In additon, is she trained not to chase, ie, if she went after a rabbit/deer/badger would she come back, or are we talking enclosed lake where that wouldn't be a problem?
I've taken my dog, in a enclosed environement (fenced) he still threw himself in the lake (twice) after a water vole
...bit smaller than a staffy though!
Could always use one of those screw in lead reteiners if ness, we use those when camping.
In additon, is she trained not to chase, ie, if she went after a rabbit/deer/badger would she come back, or are we talking enclosed lake where that wouldn't be a problem?
I've taken my dog, in a enclosed environement (fenced) he still threw himself in the lake (twice) after a water vole
...bit smaller than a staffy though!Could always use one of those screw in lead reteiners if ness, we use those when camping.
In reply to Post #6
"Could always use one of those screw in lead reteiners if ness, we use those when camping"
Or a bivvy peg..........
"Could always use one of those screw in lead reteiners if ness, we use those when camping"
Or a bivvy peg..........
In reply to Post #7
I fish under a brolly so envisage her sleeping on my bed 😜
I fish under a brolly so envisage her sleeping on my bed 😜
In reply to Post #7
Don't think a bivvy peg would stop my Dachsie let alone a Staffy
Edit, depends on the ground I suppose.
Don't think a bivvy peg would stop my Dachsie let alone a Staffy
Edit, depends on the ground I suppose.
In reply to Post #6
My labrador (rip) jumped in the lake on a few occasions .... just because she loved to!! .... nightmare!!
My labrador (rip) jumped in the lake on a few occasions .... just because she loved to!! .... nightmare!!
I always keep mine on a long lead clipped round a leg of the bedchair
In reply to Post #11
I've got a dog screw which I used to use with a rope when Barbel fishing a few fun rivers like the Teme and Bristol Avon. That's ideal with a good lead.
I've got a dog screw which I used to use with a rope when Barbel fishing a few fun rivers like the Teme and Bristol Avon. That's ideal with a good lead.
Taking your dog with you for a session is one of the most pleasing things about dog ownership, however the dog does have to be able to be an asset not a pain in the arse.
A placid good nature and a good level of training is a must. Excitable, strong willed dogs don't really work. I've had 3 dogs over the last 40 years carping. One was absolutely unsuitable as it was too defensive of the bivvy and would snarl and snap at people approaching the bivvy despite being unlike this in any other scenario. The other two were OK, but my current dog is by far the best.
You should be able to just get on with your fishing as per usual without having to constantly check, worry or reprimand the dog. An ability to have it trained to be off the lead is a really big factor.
As said being careful with baited hooks needs to be thought about. Special attention to casting out ( dangling a tasty morsel in front of a dogs nose), reeling in and leaving the baited hook draped over the reel handles isn't a good idea either. My dog comes out in the boat when I bait up and position baits but I put the baited hook in a tin can by my feet.
If having your dog with you impedes on your ability to fish as you normally do then I'd think twice about it.ðŸ‘
A placid good nature and a good level of training is a must. Excitable, strong willed dogs don't really work. I've had 3 dogs over the last 40 years carping. One was absolutely unsuitable as it was too defensive of the bivvy and would snarl and snap at people approaching the bivvy despite being unlike this in any other scenario. The other two were OK, but my current dog is by far the best.
You should be able to just get on with your fishing as per usual without having to constantly check, worry or reprimand the dog. An ability to have it trained to be off the lead is a really big factor.
As said being careful with baited hooks needs to be thought about. Special attention to casting out ( dangling a tasty morsel in front of a dogs nose), reeling in and leaving the baited hook draped over the reel handles isn't a good idea either. My dog comes out in the boat when I bait up and position baits but I put the baited hook in a tin can by my feet.
If having your dog with you impedes on your ability to fish as you normally do then I'd think twice about it.ðŸ‘
In reply to Post #1
I have a chihuahua x Shih tzu. Absolute nightmare in many scenarios, but tucked away in the back of my sleeping bag, and sunbathing in a quiet swim, she's absolutely fine. On day sessions when approached by strangers she can be a 'mare, and unfortunately many don't take the hint that neither myself or the doggo wants visitors.
She's scared of her own shadow, let alone the rats.
If the swim dictates, I block the rear of the swim with my brolly, giving her free reign to mooch about the swim. I have toy'd with the idea of getting one of those screens, but it only takes one inquisitive nose in the right place and she'll go for a wander.
I have a chihuahua x Shih tzu. Absolute nightmare in many scenarios, but tucked away in the back of my sleeping bag, and sunbathing in a quiet swim, she's absolutely fine. On day sessions when approached by strangers she can be a 'mare, and unfortunately many don't take the hint that neither myself or the doggo wants visitors.
She's scared of her own shadow, let alone the rats.
If the swim dictates, I block the rear of the swim with my brolly, giving her free reign to mooch about the swim. I have toy'd with the idea of getting one of those screens, but it only takes one inquisitive nose in the right place and she'll go for a wander.
In reply to Post #13
Spot on
I was watching a angler & his puppy Doberman on Youtube the other day, very cute but left me thinking, unless you get a grip of that dog NOW, ie, properely trained, you're letting yourself into a whole world of pain and it's not fair on the dog. Those first few months, so very important for the lifelong ownership of the pooch, better at training classes than on the bank, or both.
Spot on
I was watching a angler & his puppy Doberman on Youtube the other day, very cute but left me thinking, unless you get a grip of that dog NOW, ie, properely trained, you're letting yourself into a whole world of pain and it's not fair on the dog. Those first few months, so very important for the lifelong ownership of the pooch, better at training classes than on the bank, or both.
In reply to Post #4
I think it all depends on the dogs temperament and age, as well as training of course. My old dog would just sit there, used to make me laugh, used to watch the boats go past. New ones 4 now and finally calming down, take him barbel bashing, gets a bit restless but I take him for a walk about and then he's OK. Good company really, much better than some folk you bump into now and again
I think it all depends on the dogs temperament and age, as well as training of course. My old dog would just sit there, used to make me laugh, used to watch the boats go past. New ones 4 now and finally calming down, take him barbel bashing, gets a bit restless but I take him for a walk about and then he's OK. Good company really, much better than some folk you bump into now and again
Maybe i have read too fast and it has been said, but what about a short day only session first, bit of training so to speak.
Took my staffie with me every long session. She would sit in the passenger seat of the car and literally howl until we got to the lake. Never bothered taking her bed because she usually slept on mine or inside my sleeping bag if it was cold.
Miss that dog every day.
Miss that dog every day.
In reply to Post #18
My first Staffie had her around 10 months and she is 4 years old .
What a character. Bless you mate
My first Staffie had her around 10 months and she is 4 years old .
What a character. Bless you mate
I can remember reading about an angler who took his big German Shepherd fishing ..one day he'd tied this big dog to the bedchair ...I don't know what happened, but apparently this bedchair was seen racing down the bank attached to the GS...!
I had a lovely lemon/roan working cocker ,a good dog until he got near water,which meant he wanted to be swimming all the time ..despite my best efforts to train this out of him it didn't work ....water,plus wet dog inside techlite not good ..
He was a good bushcraft dog tho !
I had a lovely lemon/roan working cocker ,a good dog until he got near water,which meant he wanted to be swimming all the time ..despite my best efforts to train this out of him it didn't work ....water,plus wet dog inside techlite not good ..
He was a good bushcraft dog tho !
In reply to Post #20
i take my 18mnth choc lab, he quickly learnt to not go in the water, the lake is enclosed with otter fencing and i try to set-up away from other people as as long he's not in the eye sight of people / dogs etc he wont stray too far beyond the swim and if there is a risk of people coming around i put him on a long-lead. he has strayed a couple of times but its part of his learning process and he's getting better.
I would recommend a sleeping bag cover and i bought the new ESP quickdraw and use the mozzie mesh as a 'screen' to stop him wondering off in the night,
Pro's far out weigh the con's and he loves it, and the main positive if as long as i take the dog(wife knows how much he loves it) i get a free pass pretty much whenever i want!
i take my 18mnth choc lab, he quickly learnt to not go in the water, the lake is enclosed with otter fencing and i try to set-up away from other people as as long he's not in the eye sight of people / dogs etc he wont stray too far beyond the swim and if there is a risk of people coming around i put him on a long-lead. he has strayed a couple of times but its part of his learning process and he's getting better.
I would recommend a sleeping bag cover and i bought the new ESP quickdraw and use the mozzie mesh as a 'screen' to stop him wondering off in the night,
Pro's far out weigh the con's and he loves it, and the main positive if as long as i take the dog(wife knows how much he loves it) i get a free pass pretty much whenever i want!
In reply to Post #21
Sounds like a good dog ,your lab ,mines passed on now ..when we did do days together I loved it,as he had the total run of the place ,he did love water ,any water lol.....!!...
Sounds like a good dog ,your lab ,mines passed on now ..when we did do days together I loved it,as he had the total run of the place ,he did love water ,any water lol.....!!...
In reply to Post #21
Great advice thank you . Bonus is she hates water but loves sleeping 💤
Great advice thank you . Bonus is she hates water but loves sleeping 💤
Not sure if it's already been mentioned, but don't let them get in the habit of drinking lake water.
Blue green algae is often fatal, as are other nasties like leptospirosis.
Blue green algae is often fatal, as are other nasties like leptospirosis.
PLEASE ENSURE YOUR DOG GETS PROTECTED FROM LUNGWORM BECAUSE LUNGWORM IS KNOWN TO BE DEADLY.
Sorry for the caps lock but I used to have a dog that contacted lungworm (caused through slugs and snails) where having gone through water or grass they leave a slime behind. Dogs drink the water or eat the grass and it causes respiratory issues. Having taken my dog to the vets due to breathing difficulties I was informed that it was on the increase and in some cases have been known to die within hours of diagnosis because it had spread further in the system.
In reply to Post #26
Thanks for heads up this was why I started this thread.
Thanks to all
Thanks for heads up this was why I started this thread.
Thanks to all
In reply to Post #27
In reply to Post #25
+1 We do hedgehog rehab/release, lungworm is horrible, it sounds very similar to kennel cough so don't rest on your laurels.
I believe there is a all in 1 vaccine now, but we've always used Panacure as its none prescription.
Another one to watch out for is Giardia, it's no joke, contracted from bird poo, puddles/water/ponds birds frequent. 1 of ours got it really bad, it basically destroyed her gut before it stopped, she suffered with IBS from 4 years until we lost her at 13 because of it.
Slimy mucous coated poo is a indicator, though other things can also cause that.
+1 We do hedgehog rehab/release, lungworm is horrible, it sounds very similar to kennel cough so don't rest on your laurels.
I believe there is a all in 1 vaccine now, but we've always used Panacure as its none prescription.
Another one to watch out for is Giardia, it's no joke, contracted from bird poo, puddles/water/ponds birds frequent. 1 of ours got it really bad, it basically destroyed her gut before it stopped, she suffered with IBS from 4 years until we lost her at 13 because of it.
Slimy mucous coated poo is a indicator, though other things can also cause that.
In reply to Post #29
Horrid to watch a dog that's contacted lungworm.
Not heard of the others but it's informative, cheers mate.
Horrid to watch a dog that's contacted lungworm.
Not heard of the others but it's informative, cheers mate.
Might sound a bit over the top, but flea treatments, particularly the "spot on" types can cause a problem on rivers and lakes. The chemicals used are highly toxic to invertebrates and fish. We always used a natural treatment on ours.
In reply to Post #31
what natural treatment would you recommend?
what natural treatment would you recommend?
In reply to Post #32
Not too sure, as my wife used to make it up. Rose geranium rings a bell and I know she used products from Herbal pet supplies.
Have a google for "natural flea repellants" I'm sure it'll throw up a few options.
Thinking about it, we never had any problems with fleas, our main concern was ticks as we used to spend a lot of time in northern Scotland. I'm pretty sure most of the repellants work for both. Without a repellant we would often find ticks buried into her, with the repellant we would sometimes find ticks crawling on her fur, but not buried in.
Not too sure, as my wife used to make it up. Rose geranium rings a bell and I know she used products from Herbal pet supplies.
Have a google for "natural flea repellants" I'm sure it'll throw up a few options.
Thinking about it, we never had any problems with fleas, our main concern was ticks as we used to spend a lot of time in northern Scotland. I'm pretty sure most of the repellants work for both. Without a repellant we would often find ticks buried into her, with the repellant we would sometimes find ticks crawling on her fur, but not buried in.
Garlic powder used to be the natural way to keep on top of them - apparently? Personally, I was never brave enough to try it, along with it's canine toxicity aside!
My dogs are exposed to fleas/ticks all the time and far more regularly than ordinary household pets, due to their close contact with rabbits/deer etc (Working Gundogs)
Personally, I would forget anything in the shape of a shop bought spot on liquid, none of it works much these days. The active ingredients are 30+ years old and there are now much better options available.
The best stuff is from the vets, or alternatively Afoxolaner (Frontpro) is now recently available over the counter without prescription.
If you've ever suffered an infestation, you'll know it's money well spent!
My dogs are exposed to fleas/ticks all the time and far more regularly than ordinary household pets, due to their close contact with rabbits/deer etc (Working Gundogs)
Personally, I would forget anything in the shape of a shop bought spot on liquid, none of it works much these days. The active ingredients are 30+ years old and there are now much better options available.
The best stuff is from the vets, or alternatively Afoxolaner (Frontpro) is now recently available over the counter without prescription.
If you've ever suffered an infestation, you'll know it's money well spent!
In reply to Post #7
Defo need more than a bivvy peg for a staffie. Especially if they have a run up on a long lead.
Lots of water and treats to keep them occupied to start with. Long lead with a corkscrew spike and be prepared to lose your bedchair. My bull terrier sleeps in the bag when I take her wasn't so bad when she was a pup lol
Defo need more than a bivvy peg for a staffie. Especially if they have a run up on a long lead.
Lots of water and treats to keep them occupied to start with. Long lead with a corkscrew spike and be prepared to lose your bedchair. My bull terrier sleeps in the bag when I take her wasn't so bad when she was a pup lol
In reply to Post #31
Yep, found in every river in the U.K very sad news. The companies are moving away from that active ingredient and vets would prefer to only treat when there's a problem, but insurance companies are still insisting so it's difficult.
A alternative you might want to look at is diatomaceous earth, basically crushed up diatoms, it works by cutting into the fleas shell. A widely used 'alternative' which we we used on our chickens for years. If ingested it can also sort worms.
Yep, found in every river in the U.K very sad news. The companies are moving away from that active ingredient and vets would prefer to only treat when there's a problem, but insurance companies are still insisting so it's difficult.
A alternative you might want to look at is diatomaceous earth, basically crushed up diatoms, it works by cutting into the fleas shell. A widely used 'alternative' which we we used on our chickens for years. If ingested it can also sort worms.
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