Advice needed for young lurcher

[Snifferboy 659]

Rabbit skin on a line is what did with my last dog and it worked a treat, though I did start that off quite early as part of her play time. Bike work is always good if you think her fitness is lacking but you can't beat the real thing (bolting rabbits). Drag lures are great, I built one myself and it works a treat, really gets them moving but still takes time and money where as even if you haven't got a fishing rod you can still cut yourself a length of hazel and use some string and a pelt, cost's nothing, just be careful of the line/string as it can and does get caught up around them and can cut into them a bit.

 

All the best

 

Sniffer

[whin 463]

jim greenwood would be te man to sort you out mate hope everything goes well , some dogs just not up and at them ,when young, so you need to stray to get them going mate some of youre permision maybe not suit your pup

[rob190364 2,594]

jim greenwood would be te man to sort you out mate hope everything goes well , some dogs just not up and at them ,when young, so you need to stray to get them going mate some of youre permision maybe not suit your pup

who's jim greenwood pal?

[KittleRox 2,147]

The odd yap ain,t a problem mate but like you say it could become one if she gets overly frustrated, when you,re out don,t be slipping her on difficult bunnys, I know this can be hard to resist when theres not much about but better to keep her on instead of slipping her on bunnys which are much too hard, only slip her on the easy ones mate and it should all come together, you sound as if you,re a bit worried she,s just not up to it, its only natural to start doubting I,ve doubted myself when things aren,t coming together but as long as the dog is given easy runs it should work out eventualy, adjust your methods.

 

as for building the dogs confidence taking the dog ferreting is excellent advice,let the dog grab the bunnys in the net, builds confidence no end and gets rid of frustration, atb

[rob190364 2,594]

The odd yap ain,t a problem mate but like you say it could become one if she gets overly frustrated, when you,re out don,t be slipping her on difficult bunnys, I know this can be hard to resist when theres not much about but better to keep her on instead of slipping her on bunnys which are much too hard, only slip her on the easy ones mate and it should all come together, you sound as if you,re a bit worried she,s just not up to it, its only natural to start doubting I,ve doubted myself when things aren,t coming together but as long as the dog is given easy runs it should work out eventualy, adjust your methods.

 

as for building the dogs confidence taking the dog ferreting is excellent advice,let the dog grab the bunnys in the net, builds confidence no end and gets rid of frustration, atb

more worried about me not doing the right things to help her make the grade to be honest bud, don't think we'd have had a problem if prey wasn't so thin on the ground.

 

didn't get chance to go ferreting yesterday so last night I went for a quick look to see if anything was about. After about an hour the only bunnies we saw were hugging the hedgerow so I didn't slip her on anything. Just before setting off home I decided to go for a quick look round a field that's pretty big and open and sometimes has rabbits sitting right in the middle. Spotted something about 40 meters or so from the hedge but it looked like a rock so I switched the lamp off and started walking in that direction, as I got near I heard something running, flicked on the lamp and it was a bloody rabbit after all, it must have had its back to us. Rabbit was already half way to the hedge and in a rush of blood I slipped the dog and immediately started cursing myself for not realising it was a rabbit and also for slipping her when the rabbit had already gained too much of a head start on a short run. Anyway, she put in a blistering run and snatched it from the hedge. Absolute brilliant, I know it's only one rabbit but it was the only one I slipped her on and to be honest I didn't think she stood a chance. Obviously she still needs loads of easy catches and bolters, and nothing really changes from what I posted yesterday but it was a very welcome confidence booster for both of us.

[Guest thebigdog]

The odd yap ain,t a problem mate but like you say it could become one if she gets overly frustrated, when you,re out don,t be slipping her on difficult bunnys, I know this can be hard to resist when theres not much about but better to keep her on instead of slipping her on bunnys which are much too hard, only slip her on the easy ones mate and it should all come together, you sound as if you,re a bit worried she,s just not up to it, its only natural to start doubting I,ve doubted myself when things aren,t coming together but as long as the dog is given easy runs it should work out eventualy, adjust your methods.

 

as for building the dogs confidence taking the dog ferreting is excellent advice,let the dog grab the bunnys in the net, builds confidence no end and gets rid of frustration, atb

more worried about me not doing the right things to help her make the grade to be honest bud, don't think we'd have had a problem if prey wasn't so thin on the ground.

 

didn't get chance to go ferreting yesterday so last night I went for a quick look to see if anything was about. After about an hour the only bunnies we saw were hugging the hedgerow so I didn't slip her on anything. Just before setting off home I decided to go for a quick look round a field that's pretty big and open and sometimes has rabbits sitting right in the middle. Spotted something about 40 meters or so from the hedge but it looked like a rock so I switched the lamp off and started walking in that direction, as I got near I heard something running, flicked on the lamp and it was a bloody rabbit after all, it must have had its back to us. Rabbit was already half way to the hedge and in a rush of blood I slipped the dog and immediately started cursing myself for not realising it was a rabbit and also for slipping her when the rabbit had already gained too much of a head start on a short run. Anyway, she put in a blistering run and snatched it from the hedge. Absolute brilliant, I know it's only one rabbit but it was the only one I slipped her on and to be honest I didn't think she stood a chance. Obviously she still needs loads of easy catches and bolters, and nothing really changes from what I posted yesterday but it was a very welcome confidence booster for both of us.

 

good stuff buddy onwards and upwards

[KittleRox 2,147]

The odd yap ain,t a problem mate but like you say it could become one if she gets overly frustrated, when you,re out don,t be slipping her on difficult bunnys, I know this can be hard to resist when theres not much about but better to keep her on instead of slipping her on bunnys which are much too hard, only slip her on the easy ones mate and it should all come together, you sound as if you,re a bit worried she,s just not up to it, its only natural to start doubting I,ve doubted myself when things aren,t coming together but as long as the dog is given easy runs it should work out eventualy, adjust your methods.

 

as for building the dogs confidence taking the dog ferreting is excellent advice,let the dog grab the bunnys in the net, builds confidence no end and gets rid of frustration, atb

more worried about me not doing the right things to help her make the grade to be honest bud, don't think we'd have had a problem if prey wasn't so thin on the ground.

 

didn't get chance to go ferreting yesterday so last night I went for a quick look to see if anything was about. After about an hour the only bunnies we saw were hugging the hedgerow so I didn't slip her on anything. Just before setting off home I decided to go for a quick look round a field that's pretty big and open and sometimes has rabbits sitting right in the middle. Spotted something about 40 meters or so from the hedge but it looked like a rock so I switched the lamp off and started walking in that direction, as I got near I heard something running, flicked on the lamp and it was a bloody rabbit after all, it must have had its back to us. Rabbit was already half way to the hedge and in a rush of blood I slipped the dog and immediately started cursing myself for not realising it was a rabbit and also for slipping her when the rabbit had already gained too much of a head start on a short run. Anyway, she put in a blistering run and snatched it from the hedge. Absolute brilliant, I know it's only one rabbit but it was the only one I slipped her on and to be honest I didn't think she stood a chance. Obviously she still needs loads of easy catches and bolters, and nothing really changes from what I posted yesterday but it was a very welcome confidence booster for both of us.

Its they kind of bunnys that can make the difference, good stuff

[rob190364 2,594]

just a quick update....apart from the quick shine on 21st I haven't done any lamping for about 2 weeks now. Just had her doing plenty of steady running alongside the bike, plenty of food and plenty of rest with the odd daytime squirrel mooch inbetween. I've noticed two definite improvements.....

 

On Sunday I took her for a wander during the day and she got a couple of runs, previously she's been reluctant to enter brambles even if she's known there's a rabbit in there, this time was different though, she caught the scent of one and steamed into the brambles and missed it by inches, as the rabbit broke free she came bursting out the other side and just missed it before it got to the warren. I think having a break from chasing rabbits for a couple of weeks has done her some good to be honest, seems to have given her enthusiasm and drive a bit of a boost.

 

Secondly, took her out for a quick session on the lamp last night, the difference in pace was noticable. She was catching up with the rabbits easily, still missing on the strike but the extra pace she's gained means I can get her practicing and perfecting the strike a lot more. There were at least three occassions where the rabbit was just 20-25 meters from the hedge and she made up a good 6 or 7 meter head start and turned it before it got to the hedge.

 

Plan for the next couple of weeks, I'm going to take her lamping and if she doesn't get a reasonable number of decent runs I'll take her out on the bike the next day and then give her a rest day the day after, if she does get decent runs I'll skip the biking. Quite pleased to have made a bit of progress to be honest, if we can steadily improve the striking between now and the end of the year, and then have a couple of months of decent lamping and ferreting sessions with steady improvements I'll be a happy man!

[kevin from bristol 95]

The odd yap ain,t a problem mate but like you say it could become one if she gets overly frustrated, when you,re out don,t be slipping her on difficult bunnys, I know this can be hard to resist when theres not much about but better to keep her on instead of slipping her on bunnys which are much too hard, only slip her on the easy ones mate and it should all come together, you sound as if you,re a bit worried she,s just not up to it, its only natural to start doubting I,ve doubted myself when things aren,t coming together but as long as the dog is given easy runs it should work out eventualy, adjust your methods.

 

as for building the dogs confidence taking the dog ferreting is excellent advice,let the dog grab the bunnys in the net, builds confidence no end and gets rid of frustration, atb

this is the best answer youve had listen to this one , maybe get some more permission if you can

[3 Turns 326]

ALRIGHT MATE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ACCESS TO SOME RABBITING TERRIERS OR A LURCHER THATS DOING THE BIZ REGULAR.

SO SHE CAN BE THERE AT THE CATCH POINT.

HOW MANY RABBIT,S HAS SHE HAD ON THE LAMP AND WHAT IS SHE LIKE WHEN SHES ON THE LEASH WATCHING ,IS SHE DOING SUMMERSALTS TO GET OFF FOR THE CHASE.

HOW KEEN IS SHE.

I DONT THINK ITS ALL DOWN TO FITNESS,IVE SEEN PLENTY DOGS,BITCHES THAT WERNT FIT CATCH REGULAR.

I RECKON SHES JUST A SLOW STARTER AND NOT VERY EXPERIENCED YET.

17MTHS SHE SHOULD BE CATCHING REGUARLY.

ID PICK MY SLIP,S AND LET HER WATCH FOR A WHILE TILL SHES BREAKING THE LEAD TO HAVE A GO GOOD LUCK MATE.

THE MORE YOUR OUT / THE MORE SHE,LL LEARN

[rob190364 2,594]

ALRIGHT MATE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ACCESS TO SOME RABBITING TERRIERS OR A LURCHER THATS DOING THE BIZ REGULAR.

SO SHE CAN BE THERE AT THE CATCH POINT.

HOW MANY RABBIT,S HAS SHE HAD ON THE LAMP AND WHAT IS SHE LIKE WHEN SHES ON THE LEASH WATCHING ,IS SHE DOING SUMMERSALTS TO GET OFF FOR THE CHASE.

HOW KEEN IS SHE.

I DONT THINK ITS ALL DOWN TO FITNESS,IVE SEEN PLENTY DOGS,BITCHES THAT WERNT FIT CATCH REGULAR.

I RECKON SHES JUST A SLOW STARTER AND NOT VERY EXPERIENCED YET.

17MTHS SHE SHOULD BE CATCHING REGUARLY.

ID PICK MY SLIP,S AND LET HER WATCH FOR A WHILE TILL SHES BREAKING THE LEAD TO HAVE A GO GOOD LUCK MATE.

THE MORE YOUR OUT / THE MORE SHE,LL LEARN

I don't know anyone who's got a dog that's doing the business to be honest, none of my mates are into hunting. She's not doing somersaults or dragging the lead when she sees them because I've been training her not to, used to do my head in when she was dragging on the lead. She puts everything into it when I slip her though, she just over shoots them. I think you're right though, it is all just inexperience. We've not had many outings where she's had lots of runs, just been doing a lot of walking for not many runs so far. Now I'm pleased with her pace etc. though I'm going to venture a bit further out now to get her more runs and the experience she needs.

 

I know what you're saying about the unfit dogs being able to catch, but presumably they have a decent strike? because she's not got a good strike yet she's putting loads of effort into catching up with them and then missing. Hopefully now the catching up part won't be that hard so she can put more effort into getting the strike right, if that makes sense?

[Millet 4,497]

I would forget bolting with ferret's for now it takes an experienced dog to do well on bolted bunnies as they come steaming out the holes and know exactly where they are going...which in most cases is straight down another hole..and that will only add to your's and her frustration..

She will get there in the end but choose good night's for lamping..if possible try not to slip her head on or side on to any squatting bunnies..try to get her on the arse end of them that way she has a chance of straight lining them instead of been jinxed straight away..if you know where the set's are try to get up wind and put your self inbetween the bunnies and there escape route..

Like i said im sure she will get there in the end but just be patient..if you start getting stressed the dog will pick up on it..

They is a good way that will build her confidence..but that involve's ferret's net's and a good holdall..

[Guest born to run1083]

The problem is that if a dog is only just fast enough to get up on a rabbit, running flat out, it finds it really difficult to alter its path at speed, whilst rabbits can turn on a sixpence at top speed. Contrary to some opinions, a dog needs to be fast enough to out turn the rabbits. Granted, I've seen some slowish dogs get the knack, after learning to read lots of rabbits on the run, and they can do quite well on rough ground, but without speed on short grass, small fields etc, the slow dog is at a huge disadvantage.

 

If you haven't got access to a lure, have you tried a dried rabbit skin on a fishing line? You can whizz it this way and that along the ground, and get the dog trying to anticipate which way it will go: of course let her catch it from time to time or she'll get fed up! If the dog hasn't got a natural inbuilt strike, this can really help them to hone that skill, but rabbits bolted from ferrets across open fields is the best way. A rabbit running FROM home, as opposed TO home, is at a disadvantage unless it can hole hop into the next nearby warren.

Good post there and on the same lines as I was gonna write, it's something I've always recommended and builds loads of confidence, I done that with my pup from 3 months old up until I lamped her, getting her to chase quarry on the end of the line. Works wonders it's something I've always done. Another great way To help with there turn is alot of free open play with no quarry around. Just let the Lurchers chase each other around if you can get her with a real twist and turny type when there mucking about your be surprised how much they this can help there agility and helps them find there legs so to speak

[KittleRox 2,147]

ALRIGHT MATE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ACCESS TO SOME RABBITING TERRIERS OR A LURCHER THATS DOING THE BIZ REGULAR.

SO SHE CAN BE THERE AT THE CATCH POINT.

HOW MANY RABBIT,S HAS SHE HAD ON THE LAMP AND WHAT IS SHE LIKE WHEN SHES ON THE LEASH WATCHING ,IS SHE DOING SUMMERSALTS TO GET OFF FOR THE CHASE.

HOW KEEN IS SHE.

I DONT THINK ITS ALL DOWN TO FITNESS,IVE SEEN PLENTY DOGS,BITCHES THAT WERNT FIT CATCH REGULAR.

I RECKON SHES JUST A SLOW STARTER AND NOT VERY EXPERIENCED YET.

17MTHS SHE SHOULD BE CATCHING REGUARLY.

ID PICK MY SLIP,S AND LET HER WATCH FOR A WHILE TILL SHES BREAKING THE LEAD TO HAVE A GO GOOD LUCK MATE.

THE MORE YOUR OUT / THE MORE SHE,LL LEARN

I don't know anyone who's got a dog that's doing the business to be honest, none of my mates are into hunting. She's not doing somersaults or dragging the lead when she sees them because I've been training her not to, used to do my head in when she was dragging on the lead. She puts everything into it when I slip her though, she just over shoots them. I think you're right though, it is all just inexperience. We've not had many outings where she's had lots of runs, just been doing a lot of walking for not many runs so far. Now I'm pleased with her pace etc. though I'm going to venture a bit further out now to get her more runs and the experience she needs.

 

I know what you're saying about the unfit dogs being able to catch, but presumably they have a decent strike? because she's not got a good strike yet she's putting loads of effort into catching up with them and then missing. Hopefully now the catching up part won't be that hard so she can put more effort into getting the strike right, if that makes sense?

I agrre with 3 turns, don,t think its a fitness thing but as you say Rob more being able to read the bunnys and striking them which will come with more experience, sounds to me like you,re reading the dog well though and picking up the signs she,s giving you, atb