5 Reasons Life is Better with a Dog in the House

by
posted on June 2, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (34)

undefinedJust a generation ago, the prevailing wisdom was that "Dad's hunting dog" belonged outside, in a kennel. Otherwise, folks thought, it might become sissified by the pleasantries of indoor living, turning it into a lazy animal preferring the couch to the field.

Malarkey, I say, and today most folks seem to agree. Most homes with a gundog or two now allow them inside. Our dogs are part of the family. And I believe this is a turn for the better. Here are five reasons why.

1. A Stronger Bond
No matter how often you get a dog out of the kennel, nothing beats the 24/7 bond achieved through having a dog in the house. I find house dogs therefore tend to have a higher desire to please, assuming the pack leader/follower dynamic remains intact. The only risk here is allowing an alpha-personality dog to feel he's become your equal.

2. Better Communication
The dog is with you all day—you know him and he knows you. You've learned to read one another, which fosters better lines of communication. This has fantastic implications for training. When you're teaching the dog something new, he's better able to understand what you hope to convey, and his body language tells you whether the message is getting through or adjustments are in order.

3. Healthier Children
Kids can share in the care and training of a house dog, learning responsibility. And children who grow up with dogs in the house tend to develop fewer allergies.

4. Better Socialization
Yes, there are plenty of well-socialized kennel dogs. But it takes a committed effort. The same goes for house pets, but a dog in the home gains social skills more easily, simply by being in your presence. And a socialized dog—especially if the process began at 8 weeks—is more comfortable with new situations and people; more confident (important for hunting and tackling new training lessons); and just a more pleasant animal to be around in general.

5. It's Just More Fun
Is there a more satisfying sound than the clicking of gundog's paws across a hardwood floor? A fuller way to enjoy their all-too-brief lives with us? The sporting breeds aren't just suited to making the hunt a more enjoyable, productive experience. Their companionship greatly adds to our lives during the eight months we aren't hunting—why kennel them and lose out on this experience? Truly I can't imagine life without a bird dog following me around the home.

Latest

LEDE Count Some Quail
LEDE Count Some Quail

Count Some Quail, Tally Some Turkeys

The Arkansas turkey season ended in May, but there’s still good reason for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to keep the birds in mind when they head out to their favorite hiking trail or drive the backroads of The Natural State. Outdoorsmen who scare up coveys of quail are welcome in the survey as well.

2025 Online Firearm Sales Continue to Grow

While nationwide firearm sales have held steady this spring, guns.com is reporting significant growth, surpassing 10-percent year-over-year gun sales growth in the first half of 2025, according to the company's internal data.

#SundayGunday: Henry Special Products Division HUSH

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the HUSH Series, from Henry’s new Special Products Division, SPD for short.

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.