training old dog with new ferrets

[Col_c88 41]

Hi guys, new to the board and ive looked around but cant seem to find anything on this topic so figured id ask myself..

 

first off let me say i shoot air rifles so im not someone who is just getting into hunting.. however ive been out with a friend a few times recently with his ferrets and terriers and its a nice change of pace from shooting, they all are terrific workers its really good to see, so he asked if i would like 2 of his litter when he breeds them in a couple month (for free!).. after talking the misses into it, its all sorted, now im just waiting for him to breed them..i also have a patterdale terrier, tho he does not work as such (he has a huge chest on him not from working stock) he still comes with me shooting occasionally just to give him a good run about and, being a terrier still goes for the odd rabbit/rat and wants to go to ground..

 

my question is this.. he is around 2.5 year old ish, never seen a ferret in his life.. infact just this christmas is the first time hes seen a puppy (bought my mam a patterdale puppy since i moved out lol) he is VERY good with her but not sure what he would be like with a ferret, of course id love it if i could train him to mark the holes, grab a rabbit that kicks its way out of a net (he is very quick) but leave the ferrets alone....

is he too old to learn all this .. he is a very obediant dog.. for a patterdale.. sits stays comes back when i shout him .. only problem is he whines when we are stood still lol..

 

so how would i go about him doing these things, would it help if he came along with my friends terriers and ferrets and watched them, im not sure if dogs learn from other dogs to be honest.

 

thanks in advance for any tips you have on this matter and nice to meet you all

[johnrthrfrd 223]

best of luck mate my beddy was 2 when i got the ferrets tried all ways to get him used to them no chance to him there some thing furry to kill so has to stay at home when i go ferreting.

[Mick C. 229]

Hi guys, new to the board and ive looked around but cant seem to find anything on this topic so figured id ask myself..

 

first off let me say i shoot air rifles so im not someone who is just getting into hunting.. however ive been out with a friend a few times recently with his ferrets and terriers and its a nice change of pace from shooting, they all are terrific workers its really good to see, so he asked if i would like 2 of his litter when he breeds them in a couple month (for free!).. after talking the misses into it, its all sorted, now im just waiting for him to breed them..i also have a patterdale terrier, tho he does not work as such (he has a huge chest on him not from working stock) he still comes with me shooting occasionally just to give him a good run about and, being a terrier still goes for the odd rabbit/rat and wants to go to ground..

 

my question is this.. he is around 2.5 year old ish, never seen a ferret in his life.. infact just this christmas is the first time hes seen a puppy (bought my mam a patterdale puppy since i moved out lol) he is VERY good with her but not sure what he would be like with a ferret, of course id love it if i could train him to mark the holes, grab a rabbit that kicks its way out of a net (he is very quick) but leave the ferrets alone....

is he too old to learn all this .. he is a very obediant dog.. for a patterdale.. sits stays comes back when i shout him .. only problem is he whines when we are stood still lol..

 

so how would i go about him doing these things, would it help if he came along with my friends terriers and ferrets and watched them, im not sure if dogs learn from other dogs to be honest.

 

thanks in advance for any tips you have on this matter and nice to meet you all

[Mick C. 229]

Hi guys, new to the board and ive looked around but cant seem to find anything on this topic so figured id ask myself..

 

first off let me say i shoot air rifles so im not someone who is just getting into hunting.. however ive been out with a friend a few times recently with his ferrets and terriers and its a nice change of pace from shooting, they all are terrific workers its really good to see, so he asked if i would like 2 of his litter when he breeds them in a couple month (for free!).. after talking the misses into it, its all sorted, now im just waiting for him to breed them..i also have a patterdale terrier, tho he does not work as such (he has a huge chest on him not from working stock) he still comes with me shooting occasionally just to give him a good run about and, being a terrier still goes for the odd rabbit/rat and wants to go to ground..

 

my question is this.. he is around 2.5 year old ish, never seen a ferret in his life.. infact just this christmas is the first time hes seen a puppy (bought my mam a patterdale puppy since i moved out lol) he is VERY good with her but not sure what he would be like with a ferret, of course id love it if i could train him to mark the holes, grab a rabbit that kicks its way out of a net (he is very quick) but leave the ferrets alone....

is he too old to learn all this .. he is a very obediant dog.. for a patterdale.. sits stays comes back when i shout him .. only problem is he whines when we are stood still lol..

 

so how would i go about him doing these things, would it help if he came along with my friends terriers and ferrets and watched them, im not sure if dogs learn from other dogs to be honest.

 

thanks in advance for any tips you have on this matter and nice to meet you all

 

Dont take him out with ferrets until you can trust him.

 

Introduce him to a ferret that is in a .cage.This way you wont have a dead ferret on your hands if he is dodgy.

 

Keep introducing him every day ,be firm with the dog vocally if he proves menacing.

 

I fear he probebly will be.

 

After afew days of this he might start to become less excitable when he sees the ferret.

 

If this situation does occur then take the ferret out of the cage and start to handle it

 

Be firm with the dog if he shows aggression.

 

Its a big ask of an older dog,especially a patterdale.

 

Ideally i would want them drinking milk out of the same bowl before they work together.

 

Good luck I think you will need it.

 

This works for me with young lurchers.

 

Dont say anything that might excite the dog.

 

just keep getting him familiar with the ferret and be firm with him if he plays up