The American Beagler Forum

I wanted to ask everyone that has dogs how did you start your pup and is it a good hunting partner and what could you have done differently that wouldve helped it in some way

I have started all my pups in the wild on an old R.R. line that runs behind some industrial parks. Lots of rabbits no hunting pressure. The only bad thing about it is both sides have fence rows and the rabbits use them to discourage the pups. Most of my pups have learned how to go thru but I have had a couple that will run down the line looking for the scent.

I had one pup that started at a hotel in Richmond KY. Took him out to go pee, jumped a rabbit settin in the weeds. It took me over an hour to catch him.

old R.R. line only thang better is a rabbit pen BUT IT'S HARD TO BEAT THE OLD LINE I have open land on both sides

so you just took the pup where there were rabbits and nature took its course

That sounds funny how one jumped a rabbit at a hotel

Either tie the pup up, or have someone hold him on a lead. Play/chase the tame rabbit around fairly close to the pup so that the pup becomes interested in it and is really straining to pull on the lead. Let the pup go so it can chase the rabbit too.

That is the 1st thing I always do w/ my pups. Let it sight chase it and smell it at the same time. Use a big slow bunny, the bigger they are, the more scent they put out. The slower they are, the more exciting it is for the pup b/c it can get close to them.

After doing that for a while (a few weeks), let the rabbit out and let it wander around for a while. Cover it up w/ a bucket in the middle of the yard or whereever. Then release the pup and it will now have to smell its way to the rabbit. After doing that a few times, the pup will catch on that the rabbit is in the bucket and just head straight to the bucket.

Now you do the same thing, only don't use a bucket, let the rabbit make it's way into a flower garden, bushes, woods, whatever. Your pup should now be on its way to running rabbits. Hope this helps.

thanks sounds good