Questions about training hunting dogs.

1. I did it with one of mine around the same age, didn't have any negative side effects and he learned it just fine.

2. I don't bathe mine very often, only if they really get funky. If real dirty just hose them down in the yard with only water.

3. If first time training one consider getting it trained by someone and go watch and learn what the trainer does for future knowledge. Or find someone with dogs and let them teach you how to train them. I did the second choice.

4. Having them in the house will do nothing harmful to their hunting ability or drive. I play fetch with my beagles in the off season and, let them ride 4 wheelers with me, ride in the cab of the truck etc etc. you can't stop several hundred years of breeding and instinct by letting them stay in the house.

That's my 0.02 cents on the matter.

1. Never heard of dog named monosyllabic, but hey, its your dog.
2. Nothing wrong with a clean dog, but make sure its dog/pet shampoo.
3. Obedience train it. Get it too fetching, and let a pro take from there. Tell him you want a seasoned dog, not a finished. He'll be able to do what you want him/her in the field.
4. I have two labs, and to my wifes disdain, they stay in the house.

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1. Would it be wrong to rename a 18 month old dog? I prefer hunting dogs to have a monosyllabic name.

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I've never tried. I can't answer this question. Like you, I generally name my dogs a single syllable name.

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2. How often should a hunting dog be bathed? More specifically is there truly a concern about removing too much skin oil and dirt and thus affecting the dog's ability to withstand cold and wet.

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My labs get a bath about once a month. Basically when they smell too bad, I bathe them. I have never worried one day about bathing them too much, but then again I only do it once a month.

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3. Do you advise having a dog trained professionally for hunting purposes and then practicing those techniques with the dog or do you think it better to train yourself and why?

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I would ALWAYS advise you doing it on your own. It is so much more rewarding and you learn as much about your dogs personality as your dog learns about you. Just be consistent.

BUT, this is really answered best by you. What do you want from the dog? How much time do you have to train your dog?

Is this for that water spaniel? She looked like she had been started. How far along is she?

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4. What is your feeling on hunting dogs being inside the house pets also?

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To me, it is a complete fallacy to believe that you can't have great hunting dogs that aren't pets. All of my retrievers have been both good hunting dogs and great companions/friends.

The idea that a "hunting" has to be cooped up all day long outside is hog wash. Frankly I always feel sorry for those dogs that are strictly used as tools. I also feel sorry for their owners. They are missing out of so much love and an endearing friendship.

BUT, it also depends on the dog. They have to have the personality to be an inside dog.

Semi hijack, but glad to see that dog is going to a good home. I must have called a few minutes after you did BleedingPurple. He mentioned a guy from Athens had just called and later confirmed you were getting him. (I'm next on the list if you fall through).

I would be interested in the progress you make and how he works as a bird dog for my future reference. Especially with keeping him indoors.

I didnt know too much about the breed but read up quickly when the post went up yesterday and liked what I saw. I'm limited in where I can hunt in the Shreveport area because I am currently dog-less but may need to remedy that in the future. Good luck.

Should've named it correctly the first time. It might just confuse the dog. My dog responds better to "hey" than he does his name.

My dog is almost 5 and he has had 4 baths. 2 if those were because he had fleas. When he gets wet, he just smells like dog shampoo.

Labs are pretty easy to train. If they are smart and listen well, it shouldn't be hard to train right now. Spend some time doing it yourself and you will better understand his mannerisms when hunting and what adjustments need to be made with him.

My dog lives inside

I will add this on bathing your dog: AWSs have thick, curly fur. Even if you don't bathe the bastard once a week, a good brushing once a week is a must. A tangled matt of fur is not only uncomfrotable for the dog, but also prevents the fur from being as insulating and water-wicking as it is supposed to be