The American Beagler Forum

have pup 5 months old already running track should i push them or wait to they get older?

I definitely would not push him at that age. Take him out once or twice a week and let him run for a little while, but I wouldn't try to run him 3 or 4 hours straight. He is still a puppy and needs time to be a puppy.

Big Dog

That is great. I wouldnt push him too much. Mentally and physically the pup is still maturing. I would keep him in rabbits but would let him progress w/o pushing. I have heard alot of people say that pushing a really young dog can cause problems in the future. (Ex. back problems, hip problems etc,)

Nevertheless sounds promising. What is your pup out of?

I'm going through the same thing with a pup right now.

I started my line breed Striker pup when he was 5 1/2 mnths old.

Just by walking him in and around rabbits.

He started really fast.

So I ran him a few times by himself for about 30 min.

Then last weekend I took him out with one of my younger dogs
and he didn't want to pack.

So I gave him a week off and I'll take him back out this weekend and see if he catches on.

He does have me a little worried though

I DON'T THINK I WOULD PUT THE PRESSURE OF ANOTHER DOG ON HIM THIS SOON. BUNNYBUSTER

Unless the other dog you are running him with is clean and slow I wouldn't put the pup with him. Pups can pick up a lot of bad habits at this time in their life, especially when running with another dog that is faster and not finished or clean on the line. I would try to run him with another dog that he is compatible with speed and experience wise. I also wouldn't worry about him packing up right now. Some dogs will start and then have to get over a little hump before they will pack. On that note though I also would solo him too much, at least brace him with another dog, that he is compatible to.

Big Dog

hey that is great! I start my pups normaly at about 4 to6 months of age but I don't pack them untill they are allmost a year old and then I'm carefull as to what I run them with very car3efull. I curentely have a female that is 3.5 months and can soloa rabit for about a half hour. I only take her out for short periods of time and only a couple of times a week. she started whileout for a walk with me while running some of my older dogs. She just blew me away. I plan to take it very easy with her.

Kennel the pup with and old reliable slow hound if you have one! Preferable one that is very easy going.

Alternate taking it out for short peroids once by itself and then with the kennel mate! Beagles are natural pack hounds and it will soon start figure out what it is suppose to do!

Time and patience are the key. At this age if the pup looks promising just bring it along slow and you will both reap the rewards when it can pound a rabbit into the next county!

Congratulations this is a great start!

Brian Gray (packman)