jamiebfd 0 Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Hi everyone. I have never been hunting in my life but i am seriously keen to start learning. I was taking my lurcher cross breed through the wooded area in my area and there were rabbits everywhere. He takes an interest in them and tries to get to them but i am scared to let him off the leash in case he runs off. I really think he will be a natural but i am a noob so i could be completely wrong. Im hoping there is someone near me who could be my mentor and show me everything i need to know to get my dog (milow) to be a great hunter. I live in Bradford, west yorkshire and near me is many fields and areas where rabbits would typically hang out and make their homes. If anyone here would be interested in helping a complete rookie and his dog become champion hunters id love to hear from you. Milow is soooo hyperactive and has more energy than any dog ive come across before and im thinking he could burn that off by hunting. However... he is a pet at the moment and i have never trained him to bite or guard the house like my other dog (jappo). So i dont know if that matters in the training process or wether he will bite the rabbit instinctively. If anyone voulenteers to help us.... PLEASE NOTE.... i really have not been hunting before and am completely oblivious to how its done so you may have your work cut out. but i promise i will work hard and do my best to make you proud of me and milow. Hope to hear from someone interested Oh and just to add... milow is approx 8-9 months old now. he sits, stays and fetches on command (most of the time) so maybe thats a start Quote Link to post
WILF 46,987 Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Give it a few more months until the dog is a bit older matey, then I am sure someone will let you tag along. 1 Quote Link to post
Shazza 52 Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Give it a few more months until the dog is a bit older matey, then I am sure someone will let you tag along. I'd also make sure his recall is good, no point trying to teach a dog to hunt if you spend hours trying to find/catch it when you let it loose 1 Quote Link to post
johnny boy68 11,726 Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Just work on general obiedience and things like jumping,stock training(a must),etc for now mate. You'll see the benefit when you start working the dog. Edited to say nice to see a well put together post. 1 Quote Link to post
jamiebfd 0 Posted July 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Thanks guys. Johhny boy sent me a great message about how to prepare milow for his first time. I got straight down to buisness this afternoon and have been practicing the recall with a teddy xD Ive realised it isnt as easy as id expect but he is starting to pick it up and learn what i want him to do with the teddy. Id say about 30% of the time i spent today was succesfull and the other 70% he just wanted to tear the teddy up lol. I will keep doing it every day though and im sure in a few months he will be on his way to the real thing. Another question i wanted to ask was about times to hunt etc. Is it better early morning or afternoon? Quote Link to post
TheWizard 6 Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Early morning or late evening. Doesn't really matter - you just want to get there when the rabbits are at their most relaxed and more importantly, when they are as far out in the open as possible. That's when they sit tight and make easier targets. That's not to say it'll be a walk in the park for the dog though. Quote Link to post
Shazza 52 Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Can't advise you on the hunting side as this will be my first season too. As far as training goes, short 10 minute sessions are best, vary the different commands once you are sure the dog knows each one and keep him interested. If you spend too long training the dog will get bored, if he can't grasp what it is that you want and you start getting irritated then leave it til another day. Always end on a good note and make it fun for the dog. You got til around September to work on training so no need to rush it all in a week. Best of luck Quote Link to post
Guest born to run1083 Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Thanks guys. Johhny boy sent me a great message about how to prepare milow for his first time. I got straight down to buisness this afternoon and have been practicing the recall with a teddy xD Ive realised it isnt as easy as id expect but he is starting to pick it up and learn what i want him to do with the teddy. Id say about 30% of the time i spent today was succesfull and the other 70% he just wanted to tear the teddy up lol. I will keep doing it every day though and im sure in a few months he will be on his way to the real thing. Another question i wanted to ask was about times to hunt etc. Is it better early morning or afternoon? just dont be to hard on the fella during training keep it fun and mix it up so he doesnt get too bored, with training lurchers repetition and patience is the key, the more time put into him the better dog you'l have at the end but remember all lurchers progress at different rates so just take your time with him Quote Link to post
hunting24/7 6 Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 When retrieve training I only give the pup three retrieves per session and no more than twice a day.therefore the pup won't get bored.also I start in a hall or side entrance of a house,lane etc so the dog has no choice but to pass me with watever it is he's retrieving.it also helps to mix it up from maybe a tennis ball to a half full water bottle or stick to keep it different and eventually when he's doing it perfect a dead rabbit to get him used to mouthing a rabbit.this will all help to prepare him for his first catch.atb Quote Link to post
Malt 379 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 Great replies, just how it should be on here. Quote Link to post
jamiebfd 0 Posted July 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 When retrieve training I only give the pup three retrieves per session and no more than twice a day.therefore the pup won't get bored.also I start in a hall or side entrance of a house,lane etc so the dog has no choice but to pass me with watever it is he's retrieving.it also helps to mix it up from maybe a tennis ball to a half full water bottle or stick to keep it different and eventually when he's doing it perfect a dead rabbit to get him used to mouthing a rabbit.this will all help to prepare him for his first catch.atb Excellent idea that, i have the perfect hallway for that and i think i will be doing this to start with now. As you said... he has to go past me so he will learn that he has to give me the toy/ rabbit. I must say too... im so glad i signed up to this forum everyone is such a great help cheers guys Quote Link to post
tb25 4,627 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 When retrieve training I only give the pup three retrieves per session and no more than twice a day.therefore the pup won't get bored.also I start in a hall or side entrance of a house,lane etc so the dog has no choice but to pass me with watever it is he's retrieving.it also helps to mix it up from maybe a tennis ball to a half full water bottle or stick to keep it different and eventually when he's doing it perfect a dead rabbit to get him used to mouthing a rabbit.this will all help to prepare him for his first catch.atb Excellent idea that, i have the perfect hallway for that and i think i will be doing this to start with now. As you said... he has to go past me so he will learn that he has to give me the toy/ rabbit. I must say too... im so glad i signed up to this forum everyone is such a great help cheers guys am sure in time mate some one will help you out of this site,theres some good lads on here oh and stay clear of labtastic Quote Link to post
jamiebfd 0 Posted July 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 When retrieve training I only give the pup three retrieves per session and no more than twice a day.therefore the pup won't get bored.also I start in a hall or side entrance of a house,lane etc so the dog has no choice but to pass me with watever it is he's retrieving.it also helps to mix it up from maybe a tennis ball to a half full water bottle or stick to keep it different and eventually when he's doing it perfect a dead rabbit to get him used to mouthing a rabbit.this will all help to prepare him for his first catch.atb Excellent idea that, i have the perfect hallway for that and i think i will be doing this to start with now. As you said... he has to go past me so he will learn that he has to give me the toy/ rabbit. I must say too... im so glad i signed up to this forum everyone is such a great help cheers guys am sure in time mate some one will help you out of this site,theres some good lads on here oh and stay clear of labtastic Labtastic? Quote Link to post
tyson10 1 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 if u can come over my way northants i will be happy to help pal Quote Link to post
tb25 4,627 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 yes labtastic!!!!!!!!!!!!! hes a well none man one here,well i say man no one realy nos as of yet but yes stay clear of that wrong one,hes a leader of the so called THL GAY CREW, he takes new lads like and,well am saying no more but if you come a cross this man,woman,just stay clear pal i carnt say to much on here as he will see this but just a warning stay away Quote Link to post
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