The American Beagler Forum

I just bought a rabbit at an auction and was wonder how to go about using it to train my 9 month old beagle.Can anyone tell me the best way to go about that?Thankyou guys.Have a nice day...Ray

Don't know anything about your pup, how aggressive or speed of hounds in pedigree. But here goes.
First a question: Has the rabbit been on the ground or is it a tame rabbit living in a cage. If it is tame living in a cage it doesn't know how to run or avoid sticks or brush while trying to escape, so keep that in mind.

Maybe you should keep the pup on a leash and turn the rabbit loose inside a fenced area.

Hold the bunny and let the pup sniff him. If the pup becomes interested turn the rabbit loose and watch. If it makes a mad dash as if plans to get rough with the rabbit hold the leash. Let the rabbit hop around and the pup should become very interested. If you think the rabbit has any ability to escape, turn the pup loose. The chase shouldn't last long because a tame or San Juan rabbit has little stamina. Most pups won't hurt the rabbit, they usually push the rabbit with their nose hoping it will run some more. They like the chase. When the rabbit is tired, put it in protective cage or pipe. The pup will start looking and will use its nose to find the rabbit. Once the pup learns the game, let the rabbit loose and let it wander off out of sight, then turn the pup loose. He should locate the trail and search until he finds the rabbit. Once he uses his nose to locate the rabbit take him to a field with wild rabbits. Walk him around until a rabbit is sighted. Watch closely and mark the path of the rabbit. Then call your pup and walk along the rabbits escape path. Don't get excited or excite the pup just position yourself so the pup is walking on the rabbits path. Once he is on the rabbits path, just stop and let him explore. After thirty seconds, if he has not detected the rabbit, walk a few feet farther up the ragbits path and try again. His sense of smell will soon detect the scent and he will become interested. His tail will wag and then he will look for the next track. You may have to repeat this a few times before he realizes that there is a continuous line for him to follow. Stay close to the pup as he trails because many pups lack self confidence, when they start, and will quit the line at the first check and return to their master. If you are close by they will contnue to work the line.
Hope this helps. Good Luck.