what age to start a pup

[Laneline]

As soon as they are willing. For some pups this is at an older age than others. I have started some as early as 3 months and others at 8 months. I take them out from time to time to find their window of opportunity of “interest”. When they show an interest and willingness and a strong curiosity of the rabbit and using their nose, I then start my routine on a regular basis to start them. The last thing I want to do is to take them out and for them to be bored, not interested, or establish it to them that it is play time or time to stand by me. That does more harm than good. But nature and natural instincts within have away of taking care of itself. All you provide to enhance it is opportunity of rabbit and choosing the right timing.

For those “slow to gain interest pups” you can assist them a little with introducing them to the scent. You can either use a “fresh” dead rabbit and tease them with it, or you can use a “drag” with rabbit scent on it. I personally like to tease my young dogs with a rabbit. There is just something about young dogs associating the taste of the blood with the scent of the rabbit that really turns them on, that you just can’t mimic. If you do it this way, wait two days and de-worm them, and all is good.

[Dave Swiger]

My son called today to report that his 4 month old White river gyp tracked her first dead rabbit drag all around the yard with her tail waggin. No bark, but she found the rabbit.

Dave Swiger

[hcaplinger]

i would like to thank everyone for there replies and all the great info.i have only been beagling for about five years and only started one pup in that time.i will soak in all this information and use it this spring.thanks to all.

[Zach Swiger]

well everyone in my family like to start a pup around 5-6 months but with a good dog it is possible to start youger for instance my brother just got a pup and a couple day ago he found a fresh dead rabbit along the road and started pestering his pup with is and put the pup in the house and made a big circle around the yard then brought the pup out and the pup followed the trail and found the rabbit the pup is only 4 months old

[hurryup]

Totally agreed with Schag. He pretty much described what I do. I also solo a lot. I start taking them out in the field as soon as they are able.