why solo?

[Dale Pea]

I am wondering why you would take the time to solo a young dog? If you dont trail, or I guess even if you do, you dont hunt solo do you? When I get out, I take everything I have. So what are the advantages of goin with just one dog?

[deerhost]

I'm a big fan of soloing young dogs. It's the only way a young dog learns to do it on its own. If it can't run a rabbit on it's own how much of a contribution can it honestly make to a pack? I've raised puppies and soloed the heck out them and then ran them with other pups the same age who have been just thrown in the pack and the difference between the pups are like night and day. Every single dog I raise runs solo from the 2nd or 3rd week after they start till about a year old, with some brace time with an older dog every 4th time out. The results are staggering. Yes you can keep having pups and throwing them in a pack and one or two will shine. But you will go thrue alot of pups in bettween geting a good one. Soloing allows the pups to live up to it's potential. Most pups I train that way are jumping and circling there own rabbit at 6 months old. You can hunt over them solo at that age Now my way is not the only way, But its what I do. I only raise and train one or two pups at a time and only keep a hand full of dogs so that I can give them each solo time......Dh

[dirtypondbeagles]

is that my secret spot you're running in. It's ok I found a better spot in Louisiana.
Andy P

[deerhost]

Hey Andy, Are you still down there?? Hope all is well! Didn't bother calling you back on thanksgiving. I figured I leave you alone while your down there visiting. Are there alot of Greeks down there??? LOL! Are there any beaglers down in Louisiana that can take my buddy Andy out to run some dogs?? It would greatly be appreciated...DH

[beagler80]

What's your thoughts on this Mr. McGuire?

[dirtypondbeagles]

i didn't bring my protective snake boots.
Andy P

PS; get your snow shoes ready!! Im going to freeze your behind this yr! I want to see if those little mexican dogs you have can run on snow in Malone!!

[deerhost]

This is my most recent pup. She is being soloed now. She was hunting good when she started with the pack. But after a few times out solo her hunt really turned on. When there are no older dogs to find a rabbit for the pup the pup learns to do it on it's own....DH

[deerhost]

Ha....I think I maybe too short for that snow.....I will take you up on the invite this winter Andy...DH

[Joeyman]

wish i had more time to solo but i don't with work and all. so all i can do is dump them in. hope for the best. in the spring or summer time i split off into brace packs or three dog packs. thats the best I can do with what little time i have.

wish i could do more solo but just can't.

[Dillinger09]

I agree with deerhost

[deerhost]

Joey, Not everyone has the time to do so. I'm fortunate to work three 12 hour days and I'm off the rest of the week. My kids are grown and my wife lets me follow my outdoor addictions. Not everyone has the time and If I was working all week I would be bracing and running small packs and trying to squeeze time for every dog to get out. Be safe....DH

[tommyg]

Solo time helps a young hound learn to stay in a check. It also helps hunting and jumping. They have to learn to run a Rabbit their way and be given enought time solo to get set in their ways. Young hounds can pick up alot of bad habbits running in a pack,they get over competitve. After enough solo time you will see that it helps settle a hound down and makes them run there own rabbit.JMO

[bigdogpace]

dale pea im retierd and dont have time to solo no dog . he's either got it or don't just my op. running 3 to 5 days a week almost year round he either learns how or not . not knocking solo but with 12 hounds just dont have time ,solo to me is running 3 or 4 pups with 1 older dog togeather . now if u just run 3to4 dogs mayb 5 i can c it . but my situation is different. can't stand to leave adog at home

[Joeyman]

dale pea im retierd and dont have time to solo no dog . he's either got it or don't just my op. running 3 to 5 days a week almost year round he either learns how or not . not knocking solo but with 12 hounds just dont have time ,solo to me is running 3 or 4 pups with 1 older dog togeather . now if u just run 3to4 dogs mayb 5 i can c it . but my situation is different. can't stand to leave adog at home

i'm in this boat aswell.

[Lone Pine Beagles]

Solo time is the absolute best way to develop a young hound.
If I have 3 or 4 young dogs they get rotated throughout the week.
Each one needs their time to shine.

Look at how many dogs out there can't jump and circle a rabbit on their own.

Dogs under 18mo. I like 3/4 solo to 1/4 pack time.
Older dogs it just depends on the dog. Some need more than others.

If I ever get to a point where i can't give dogs solo time......i've got too many dogs!

LPB