My GSP is a great companion in the field, on a walk, or just hanging around. We watch TV together and he's great with the kids. He plays ball and even jumps on the trampoline with them.

On the down side while he's a great hunter dog - he's a lousy fishing dog. Loves to bark and splash and scare everything in the river away.

My black dawg goes almost everywhere. Not into restaurants, however. I don't think that is allowed in WA State. He goes into Home Depot, Lowe's, Sportsman's Warehouse, Cabela's, etc. At Safeway and Costco, he guards the truck....:)

my lab Chaos and his little trainee, Bonzai, go everywhere with me. best training they can get.

My wife and I went to get our photo taken for the church directory on Wed night. Someone brought their kids and the retriever... 100% no joke.

I take Magnum for long walks in the community were we live here in NY and can tell about stories such as the woman with two young children and a Basset Hound that as she passed us by on our walk who was about 100 yards away.I dont know how but her Basset got loose and I learned how fast a Basset can cover ground along with the older of her two children who was on a tricycle.In secconds they were on us.Imagine this true senarieo the Basset barking like he had a large wild cat treed while the child is on his tricycle circleing my dog and I at a speed that I have never seen a child ride anything blowing a kazoo the whole time Magnum looking at them both like oh no you didnt and all he did is sit there!Mom made it to us and quickly got both under control and apologised.Her child looked like the one on that comercial on TV he was definitly over the 10mph speed limit.We have children so there is a constant flow of new children and parrents at our house and my dog is great with all.I still believe in the kennel for transport safety in any vehicle and we still get as many walks in as possible.He has been camping with us and loved it and fishing with me many times that on certain occasion turned into time with the dog and fun water work.One of my favorites is the kayderosseras creek good clean flowing land to water to land(small island)to flowing deep water retrives with the Dokken.A very popular picknick and fishing destination here.The winter here slowes the socialization on our out side activities we have young children,my wife manages three communities and I am going to school full time but still fit in two lessons a day take care of our children,UK Springer,cat and I clean the lofts every day an important part of my training here and yes the homers are trained by me also they home great the rollers too.My training with birds would consist of one month on wild birds without them but get permission from DEC and check local laws in your area as I did.Pretty full plate right now but have plans for more socialization in the future.

When I worked in a fly shop, my beagle mutt was always there. Patrons loved seeing a shop dog, and I think his wiggling and licks made quite a few sales

Hey, who's the most spoiled one in the picture?

I brought my Brittany home at 8 weeks old, three days later I took her on a two week camping trip. She has since then traveled more than 10,000 miles all over the country. She goes where I go and hunts pheasant and grouse with the best of them, more than 100 birds shot over her at only 18 months old. Yes, she is spoiled, and is at my feet as I type this.

Kelmitch, Speaking of bumpers and wagon wheels. Don't forget to send me an email with your mailing address at mbfcontest@gmail.com so I can send out those bumpers you won. -D

David,

I couldn't agree more. The dog needs to be a part of the family. My dogs accompany me and my wife where ever they are welcome. They are well mannered and perform well in the field. I feel strongly that this is due to the bond that is formed from such activity and contact.

Margarita's are not on their menu, although they are on mine!

coyute--Notice that I wrote "when Jenny and Pritch walk into J. Crew"...the person left out of that group was me. But maybe I should be worried my wife shops there so much they know my dog's name. :)

Just messing with you Dave. Love the blog!

I take my dog anywhere I can.When I get home he is out of the kennel and following me around and when I go somewhere he loads up in the truck and we head out as much as I can I have him out and have him with me.

I CAN'T TAKE MY LAB, DUKE, OUT TO DINNER. NOT BECAUSE HE'D MISBEHAVE... IT'S BECAUSE I COULDN'T AFFORD TO FEED HIM UNLESS IT WAS AN ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET!