My Youngster

[neilnbeanie 10]

Hi all

Just looking for some advice really, Ive got a 5 month old Whippet beddy grey that i plan to use for general mooching on rabbits, I have just started taking her out for short afternoon strolls, just to get her used to the sights, sounds and smells of the country and she has seen a couple of rabbits that have obviously bolted for cover, i also occaisionally get a rabbit in my back garden which she has chased. Now when we are out and i know there is nothing about i let her off the lead so she can stretch her legs and she has started to show an interest in entering cover. As this is my 1st lurcher i was wondering would you encourage this or try to stop it. I also have a Staff that will work the bushes but she is unsteady with livestock so sometimes the lurcher will be on her own. Please note i am not working her at all and she hasnt ever chased anything while we have been out. I am only interested in rabbits and really i am only after the odd one for the pot and to feed the dogs with. Cheers. Neil.

[marko 30]

i would just let her potter about and if she wants to look in the cover i dont see any probs with this but as you say she is only 5mths old so you dont want to push her the beddy and the whippet in her are game little dogs who like working cover and bushing.

[iceman001979 1,316]

Going it cover is not a prop just as long as when you call her she comes back straight away.

She catch more in and around the cover for you as well.

[rolysmate 49]

Let her get on with it mate, as long as you don"t push her she"ll come to no harm and learning young like this at a young age will stick

[3 Turns 326]

ALRIGHT NIEL.

SHE COULD BE A NATUREL.

LET HER GET ON WITH IT.

YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE TO TEACH HER MUCH.

[Dan Edwards 1,134]

Just let her be what she will be and most importantly let her be a pup.

[neilnbeanie 10]

Thanks for the replies lads, and no im not going to push her at all, i dont really even want her chasing yet although it is nice to see her showing interest. But i was thinking if she is working cover it will be frustrating seeing rabbits bolting out and nothing to pick them up and i dont want to end up with another dog. Its just if you thought this was a bad habit for her to get into, it would be easier for me to stop it now before it really starts. As i said though im not looking for large hauls of rabbits just the odd one for the pot and any surplus for dog/ferret food so i think i will let her do what she wants within reason. atb. Neil.

[Dan Edwards 1,134]

If she has what it takes, she will learn to do both at the same time. Good dogs get really smart and learn to cheat and all sorts of shit like that.