Its a personal preference, I prefer a totally silent dog. Although there have been a few (very few) oppertunities that a dog that would yip, would give you a clue as to the direction they were headed when they broke before I had the Garmin.
Top 3 Reasons I don't like a dog that yips on track-
#1 lets everybody know they are coming including the hogs, gives dog smart hogs a head start
#2 might/has pulled another dog off a track/scent that it is trying to work out
#3 A dog that is young and goes to a dog yipping on some scent, that pulls the other dogs to it, and the dog is not yet close to the hog, those other dogs learn to not honor that dog
1. All game including hogs know that a dog is coming whether it is barking or not. This sneak up theory does not hold water.
2. The problem with this assumption is not the open mouthed dog it is the other dogs in your scenario that lack independence to seek, find , and account for their own game.
3. I am not quite sure what you mean here but if a dog barks and draws his pack mates to him isn't that a good thing? Now if the dog barks at nothing that could cause dogs not to honor it and then that decision is easy.
I find it interesting that I know a man that hunts a big fully open mouthed walker and he catches more than anyone I know. Some of you open mouthed dog bashers should go hunt with him for a few days.
