how long does it take to start a pup???

[luker]

I have taken my dog out about five times for whole days at a time and he still has not jumped a rabbit and i can't get him started. i don't know if i am doing something wrong or if it just takes a long time. Any advice would br appreciated.



thanks alot, Luker

[Bunnyseeker]

We need to know a little more about your dog.How old is it?Has it ever been exposed to rabbits?Have you done anything with it other than taking it out five times.All of this will help us tell you a little more about what you could do.

[Emery]

I used to think that all beagles could be taught to run rabbits. Now I am not so sure. If your dog comes from hunting stock, just keep taking it out to where you know there are rabbits. Eventually, Mother Nature will make things right and turn on the little light bulb inside its head. Some dogs start young, some dogs take up to a year to start (or maybe longer).

My neighbor has a couple of house pet beagles that did not come from hunting stock. We have tried numerous times to get them to start running rabbits, to no avail. I have even placed a fresh kill in front of both of them and they showed no interest in it what-so-ever. One is so gunshy that she cowers at the sound of a baby banging his cup on the dining-room table at meal-time. I have tried working with her, but she doesn't show any sign of improvement after a years work. I wouldn't be suprised if these beagles came from the pet store. I don't remember what I was told other than they came out of California.

Good luck with your dog and I hope things turn out...

Emery

[Robert W. Mccoy Jr]

Luker,
Give me a call tommarow.
I'm gonna go out and run dog's after work.
If you can be home by 4:30 your welcome to come and I'll pick you up on the way.

If your pup has it in her we can get here started in a few trips.
I know where some rabbits are. And how to keep them running
Rob

[mybeagles]

Rob, this is what I am talking about in the other thread. Young guys get out on puplic land for a whole 5 days and cant jump a single rabbit. How many others who dont post do you think get discouraged like this? Whats more important, being able to kill rabbits into breeding season, or leaving some a new beagler can run. I commend you for taking the initiative to get him going, thank you!

[AlabamaSwamper]

Here is my advice: Exposure, exposure, exposure and Starting pen, starting pen, starting pen. Then more exposure in the wild. IT will take, just be patient. Good luck!

[rimshot]

Luker,
My advice is to keep taking your pup to woods as often as you can. He will learn alot about you before he starts running. I start taking my pups to the woods when they are young and they learn how I hunt. I feel it is very important that they know my voice, I use my voice alot, and my scent. I like to use my voice to let them know where I'm at and which way I'm going. If they get lost, they learn how to pick up my scent and find me. When the time is right, your pup will start and thats the easy part. You will now need to put in many hours with your young dog.
You will see that he gets better each time you take him out, so feed him plenty of rabbit tracks and he will make you a good one.
Hope to see him on the front cover one day.....

LGilmer

[Tri-Power]

As one said some may take longer than others. My wife bought a beagle female pup 3 yrs ago and had her spayed. She never ran a rabbit till she was 2.5 yr old. Great house dog but she always liked going with me just runing around the farm. I've had her out a time or two with other dogs but likes doing her own thing. She got started trying to run and doing a little barking on scent about 6 mo ago and really gets pumped up. Tonite we let the pups out with her and after i put the pups up i had to walk up in the field after dark and carry her back to the house. She jumped the first rabbit and it took a hole. The second kept laying down a trail so she kept doing her thing. She ain't no pro but she will be if she keeps going and she is fast when she lines him out. Don't give up.

[AlabamaSwamper]

Remember a young dog is like a child. It only has a short attention span. Just take it out for few hours and come home. I would go to a starting pen though. IF it is a good one it will only take a few days. I usually give my pups about a week or maybe two depending on how much my friend works them. After that they are culled. Its all in exposure and a starting pen is the best investment to make.