Dog Will not touch a rabbit

[Aaron_butcher 17]

My 16 month old pup will still not touch a rabbit. I know he is still a pup but what I don't understand is he will go mad for a rabbit dummy but isn't interested in the real thing. He will chase but will just hover over the top with his mouth open and round the rabbit but won't commit to biting it. He chased one down yesterday, right on it and it stopped dead in the middle of the field infront of him so he started licking it and then just lost interest and ran off. Any tips? Thanks, Aaron.

[Rabbiting man 1,192]

You got a friend with a dog that working if so let him watch that dog run or let him run with the dog that mite help

[THLpatrick 555]

type of dog is he, some dogs strike to late and looks like thiere missing on purpose or just mouthing around the bunny, i thought this about my whippet till he actually got the strike correct and nailed it

[Aaron_butcher 17]

He's seen my mates dog take a few. And he's a saluki greyhound. Just this second had him out with the dummy, picks it up without a second thought and then straight back to me. It just made me wonder when he started licking a rabbit.

[Guest born to run1083]

I know I quick method and you can do it from your back garden or local park. get a whole rabbit from some one still intacked, skin it but try keeping the pelt intacked with the head still left on, do this infront of your dog, then cut small pieces of meat of the rabbit that you can uses for treats for later steps, then cook up remander of rabbit very slightly for a few mins to make sure worms are dead boil is best as it makes more of an odor for the dog all this helps for later steps, then with the pelt stuff new paper in it and it will for almost it's original state, you now have a very life like rabbit. tie some cord at the bottom. now feed him the 1/4 of the cooked rabbit. give him half hour then take him in garden or park with the new toy and simulate a very slow course, the aim is to let him win very easy as all we are trying to establish is for him to lock on and it let's him know he's aloud to do so, once he locks on get him to do a normal retrieve. when he brings it back exchange him for a little cub of Raw rabbit. keep doing this in the park or garden till you can pull it around fast and get he striker better. using this above method works wonders as he relates the smell to the quarry and it's there to be caught. after his first few catches. bring catch home, skin and boil for few mins then feed it to him. this is his reward to a good night. in no time your have a dog mopping them up. just remember the above is a big game, make it fun and most of all be patient and it will come, hope this helps mate

Edited August 21, 2011 by born to run1083

[Aaron_butcher 17]

Ive had the dummy on a rope before with him striking no worries but I'll definitely try your method with the head and the treats. Thanks very much mate

[chook1 184]

The dummy is different to the real thing, the way it smells, the way it feels etc,

your youngster is probably confused and probably hasnt clicked on.

 

If you can get hold of a dead one, then try doing retrives with that, wind him up

play chase, get him focused on it - like you would do with a dummy,

i would probably do it out in the field and not in the garden,

that way he can assocate the ones out in the field - with the dead one.

 

 

I did the same with my youngster, got hold of a dead one - got her playing and retriving it

also got her to carry it about half a mile home, since doing that shes more focused and more intent

before doing it, chaseing things was just a game to her.

[Aaron_butcher 17]

Oh right, I'd just assumed it was all the same to him. I'll get myself a dead one this week. Cheers pal

[simonrocco 175]

iv always dragged a dead rabbit around on a rope till the dog starts picking it up i normally start doing this at about 3 to 4 months of age iv never had any problems doing it this way.