The American Beagler Forum

Anyone here believe you can hurt a young dog or pup by starting to early. I think I ran into this problem about 2 years ago. As little pups like to, she stayed at my feet, but never thought of it, then down the road when she was like 5 months still at my feet, then again at 10 months. The only thing I could think of is starting to early.

What do you guys think??

I like to get them used to a rabbit hide, but then get them going around 5 months by taking them out and getting them used to where they will mostly run the rabbits.


Any input would be appreicated.

wvduece wrote:i talked to a friend of mine this morning he was loading his dogsup when i got there he had a 5 month old pup that was its first time out n he said it started n run pretty good but like he said its just a pup who knows what it might do tommorrow but for only 5 month n never been in the woods till this morning good job another thing the pup started with about 5 other dogs he said at first it was just running with other dogs then it took off on its own like a ole pro he has its littermate wonder if it will do the sdame its never been out before either ill keep ya posted jb

did you have any luck catchin that hound after we left.

i might bring suzy . think i will give jill another week dont want to risk it yet.
gonna see if i can get any county election results here.

I think it's best to wait till pups are big enough to keep up with the older dogs(puppy trainer) before really trying to get the pups started.I have had pups do just what you are talking about standing around my feet for what I thought was to long or coming back to me after packing up and starting to bark on the track.It really is just part of the proccess untill you have that one like you described.I've only had one dog a Reggie 10month old bitch that started very young and would pack up,pound a track out and leave the other dogs in the dust,then turn around come find me and stand at my feet like nothing ever happend.She did this for two monthes solid before a yote got her and I dont think she was ever gonna stop.I would say keep the pup on the ground with a puppy trainer and as it gets older it will pack up and stay there.Best of luck

Yes I do.I wait till there 8 mo old.I do the yard works first and then when 8 mo old on rabbits.The best dogs I every seen started late.I just cannot see were a 4 mo old started on rabbits is going to be a better dog than the 8 mo old started on rabbits.Were do people see this, the younger they start the better there going to be.I ve just not seen that in 36 years of rabbit hunting.But i donot feed your dogs so do as you please.

Well a dog that starts at 4 months has that much more time on the ground by the time they are 8 months old. I know Branko starts as early as 3 months. We generally wait til 5 or 6 months old. It has worked out for us. When they are young I try to work on handling more than anything.

I agree with everything Fullcircle posted.

You can't start them too early. They are going to start when they start.

You can put too much pressure on them early.
Throwing a pup in with fast, hard hitting, older dogs isn't doing much for the pup.
The pup will often learn "Chase the other dogs" instead of run the rabbit.

I only fool with one pup at a time, so I have time to spend on each one.
I usually start exposing pups to some rabbits at 3 months in a starting lot. Some days they will chase a rabbit a few feet, other days they will play with sticks/grass/piece of plastic and ignore rabbits they see.
They are usually sight chasing some at 4 months, and usually running wild rabbits between 5 and 6 months. The key is not to pressure them until they are more mature and can run a rabbit.

I have done it myself, and seen it done quite a bit. Take a pup that looks good in a pack, and it can't/won't run a rabbit by itself. Doesn't have the confidence or know how.

Yes fullcircle is right.If I was going to sell pups I would start them early too.