How long must I wait

[Irish Lurcher 1,013]

I am new to this Lurcher game, for many a year I have hunter with Jacks.

I have bought a lovely looking brindle bitch from a lad in Ireland, she was five months old when I got her, and she refused to even walk on a lead.

 

Now I have her retrieving rabbit lures on the lamp in the back garden, and have installed the basic commands such as sit, stay and come. She is seven months old now and I think is fit enough to take on a live slip, I think.

 

She did chase a Hare two weeks ago while out bushing with a wee terrier I have, the chase lasted about 200 yards, great to watch. Cam any of you Lurcher men or woman point me in the right direction regarding how much longer I have to wait before I can slip her on a rabbit. I don’t want to jump the gun, as I have spent long hours training her and want to give her the chance to become as good as I can make her. How do you know when your dog is ready???????

 

Thanks.

 

JR

[Rabbithunter 456]

just take your time with the dog. a lot of newbie's rush in and make drastic mistakes with young dog's.

 

Wait until the dog is fully developed, physically and mentally before giving her any hard work.

 

You may be able to take her out to watch other dog's to get her looking down the beam etc...

[collie/grey 238]

What breeding is she? Whatever you do don't rush her, she is still very much a baby. Her bones and muscles still have alot of developing to do and running her too young will damage her. I don't run mine on anything until 12-18 months depending on the cross. Theres no rush, she has the whole future to start yet. For now keep concentrating on her training and let her be a puppy. :thumbs-up:

[Irish Lurcher 1,013]

Her farther was a deerhound/saluki, mother was grey/collie.

 

I will post photo at later stage.

 

JR

[Guest furryferter]

That cross should be a very handy bitch she should be ok to run rabbits at 10 months but take it easy with her dont sicken her while shes youngI would keep her away from hares until she is over a year or you could encourage her to open up stick to rabbits to get her confidence up

Edited September 24, 2006 by furryferter

[gaz 284]

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Edited August 2, 2008 by gaz

[Irish Lurcher 1,013]

That is sound advice from you all. I shall take it on board and keep training her and wait for the day.

 

This feeling regarding the dog running rabbits reminds me of around November when I was a kid, the big day wont come fast enough.

 

JR

[Guest samstheman]

Well done mate,we have 11 puppies, all big and strong and absolutely gorgeous, should i wean asap or what?