Best Dog for Metal Detecting

[Sir Gala Clad]

Hunting alone on a remote beach can at times be dangerous because of the high
resale value of the equipment you are carrying.
As I cannot carry a firearm for protection, which I would prefer, I will have to use other methods.

What are the best attributes or breed of dog to use.
How do you train a dog assistant for metal detecting (Dry Sand, Wet Sand, Shallow Water)?

 

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[cudamark]

It's interesting that here in Ca, dogs aren't allowed on most beaches (or they have time/season type restrictions), but, guns are not prohibited (except for our restrictive gun laws in general) Where are you located and why can't you carry?

 

[patiodadio]

I had always wondered why dogs weren't allowed on beaches. We were on a beach in the Keys where dogs were permitted and a big mixed breed dog came running up to us and promptly pooped about 5 lbs of runny dog crap right in front of our chairs and blanket. The owner saw it and just called the dog, never offered to clean up the mess. I love dogs but now I am against them on public beaches.
But, I say get a German Shepard and train him/her well. They make a great companion and guard dog.

 

[jeepGold]

A dog in my opinion is a silly thing to take with you detecting. You'd have to keep your ears on the ground and your eyes on him. Seems like a hassle to me. Just get a big ol knife. .

 

[Fletch88]

It would be too much hassle to carry a big German Shepard or Rottweiler type dog. I just get my miniature dauschund to carry a gun so I don't have to!

 

[mnruxpin]

Hunting alone on a remote beach can at times be dangerous because of the high
resale value of the equipment you are carrying.
As I cannot carry a firearm for protection, which I would prefer, I will have to use other methods.

What are the best attributes or breed of dog to use.
How do you train a dog assistant for metal detecting (Dry Sand, Wet Sand, Shallow Water)?

dont know about the best dog, but this little rat that barks and pees a lot is the WORSE, prefer to bring my girl, she entertains locals, follows me when I hookah, and has a drink for me when I cant drink!! sometimes a few too many, came up from my hookah one time to see her puke in her floatie, went to the same beach a couple months later, and the lifeguards still remember me and are like "wheres your wife" haha good times. only bad thing is she keeps anything cool I find

 

[Fletch88]

I think mnruxpin has got the best idea so far!!!
Mine use to follow me around but that long sense wore off and I'm a little glad as she would start complaining that all I was finding was junk and was always ready to go! She will be my boat person while I snorkel/scuba and detect from a boat.

 

[ARC]

I bring my girl...
She'll beat up most men I think. :P

Oh and BTW... where are you detecting ? downtown L.A. ? heh

That's why is much better to carry a REAL scoop...
Stainless ... strong and well made.

If they had a gun... heck... I did not like that detector anyway :P

 

[dewcon4414]

Owning a dog has a lot of responsibility well beyond what i want as a safety factor. I rarely feel unsafe anywhere and havent felt the need to even pack a gun. Random is just that ..... i dont think a dog is going to protect you any better than a firearm if you dont see it coming. I own a dog.... but she cant be on most of the beaches here..... shes like having a child as far as caring for her. Also a real protection dog has its own concerns as well. Seriously.... how many people detecting have you ever heard of getting mugged? In the words of someone........ walk tall and carry a big stick.

 

[G.I.B.]

Dogs poop and pee on everything.

Pepper spray just hangs quietly on your belt.

 

[Irishgoldhound]

 

[Irishgoldhound]

Bull Mastiff. I had a female and she never left my side. Very protective of their family and their master. They don't need tonnes of exercise they're content laying next to your feet while you watch the game. This is what they love , just to lay around and guard the fort. Fearless loyal and strong dog. They'll stand up to anyone or anything to protect.

 

[jeepGold]

When night hunting on sketchy beaches I bring a can of pepper spray, my cell & an easily accessible knife. I also have acute spacial awareness. Every minute or so I look around to see if anyone is near/nearing me. One of the best weapons you have is your scoop. That thing will bust some one up if used properly. Would you try to mug someone who was walking down the street with a shovel in their hand? Probably not. The biggest thing I encounter is homeless & after hour drunks. Not so much gang bangers. Put a couple of post party testosterone'd drunks together who didn't get 1) in a fight at the bar, 2) any tail, & they are like a pack of wolves on the prowl . Only takes one who's 1/2 sober to recognize you have a bowie exposed next to your pocket & a big arse shovel to defuse the issue. Also, if worse comes to worst, head for the water. 99.9% of the time, no one will follow. And if they have a gun, your dog, scoop, pepper spray, God, or your knife won't help. It's your time & your detector or whatever else isn't worth your funeral bill.

 

[bklein]

When walking my dog (a yellow lab), she found a $100 bill, a diamond ring, and a diamond necklace pendant. Just forget the detector and walk in safer areas!

 

[clv]

A Dog!, not on California beaches, do what I do. Carry a long handle steel sand scoop. Makes a good club when they are over an arms length away, and a hori-hori knife, they are about a foot long. Garden Guru has a nice one and with a lifetime guarantee. The one time I had trouble in the early am on the beach I had only had to pull it halfway out of the sheath before he started running the other way. This old man ant taking any from anybody

 

[Irishgoldhound]

You pull a knife on someone you better be ready to use it. If you're not, you run the risk of the situation backfiring and getting cut or stabbed yourself. You may not be able to bring a dog on to many of the beaches where you live. Their is only one where I live allowed dogs. For detecting in the woods or bear country, nothing better than mans best friend along with you. The other guys are right, I feel pretty darn safe just with my steel scoop in my hand.

 

[clv]

You pull a knife on someone you better be ready to use it. If you're not, you run the risk of the situation backfiring and getting cut or stabbed yourself. You may not be able to bring a dog on to many of the beaches where you live. Their is only one where I live allowed dogs. For detecting in the woods or bear country, nothing better than mans best friend along with you. The other guys are right, I feel pretty darn safe just with my steel scoop in my hand.

The same with the gun, and I have had training and experience with both.
The best advice is to be aware of your surroundings, don't get tunnel vision.

 

[OBN]

I agree dogs are to much of a distraction. Flare gun best all around Op and Legal ......... has to be a close shot.. bad is, One shot.. But it will leave a Mark..

 

[jeepGold]

A dog in the woods/forest? Sure, But this is beach and shallow water forum so I am assuming he's talking about hunting beaches with a dog. Not only would you run the risk of having the dog go after someone (here in Cali you'd lose your tail feathers in a lawsuit even IF they perp'ed you. ) Pull a knife? Absolutely! I'd rather have a knife on me and NEED it than NEED a knife and NOT have it. I also carry pepper spray and would use that first for sure! I've had a pack of dogs run up on me that got away from their owner. They were lit on biting me. I pulled my pepper and used it. Then I pulled my knife. Owner ran up yelling and settled it. I said I am a HUGE dog lover but i love myself much much more and if they bit me I'd use it and then sue the shi+ out of him.

Post is getting off track as they usually do. Anyways, I would take a dog to the desert or woods but not the beach. I carry a knife and spray. No debate here will change that for me.

 

[Sir Gala Clad]

I am located on one of the more remote Sandwich Islands.
You are restricted from carrying a concealed weapon, so that you cannot defend yourself!
The justification is that this is paradise and there is little violence.

Statistically this is true, the rub is that people just disappear!
Police reports are often not filed, as it is difficult and time consuming (you wait and you wait and you wait some more) - the police are very busy, but no one knows what they are doing? The police force is large the population small, and they are always undermanned?

Often a victim is intimidated when trying to report the crime, and even if the report is taken it is usually a total waste of effort as everyone, except for newcombers seems to be related (Think of the film Deliverance with dualing ukeles).

You can purchase a hand gun after taking a hunters safety course which must be turned over to the police, I assume for ballistics, and registered. The problem is that the carrying of this weapon is restricted - just to where you will be shooting.

Depending on the Island, a back ground investigation is required to carry Pepper Spray.

The result is that you are like a SITTING DUCK depending upon the police for your safety
The rub is that the mission of the police is to enforce the law, not prevent crime.

DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!
Never let them take your guns away which is your right to bear under the 12 th Ammendment