How old is too old

[B.P.R 2,798]

Hi guys. Got a 7month old whippet here, she's been out a few times ferreting before the first injury, whilst recovering from the first she chipped the bone in the other leg and is now just starting very short/slow lead walks.

 

That's in total around 13 weeks of her life so far spent either caged/ in the house or on short walks. She won't be out ferreting again until feb/ march maybe even April time and she will be 12 months come may.

 

My question is how old it too old to get her out learning her game? I'm panicking here thinking she will be too old to teach/ learn etc her retrieve is pretty good, recall decent and she's getting used to the ferrets.

 

Is 12 months too old? Or is it still young enough to get her going? ideally she would have been out with me from 12weeks, getting used to the nets, learning what the ferrets do, and taking everything in. Unfortunately that's not how it's worked out so got to work with what I've got.

 

Sensible replies only, cheers

[hellyer189 93]

No some dogs don't get shown anything untill about 12 month, and you could always take the dogs put and keep it on the lead while other dogs are working or out with ferrets untill it's at full fitness

[asanley 1,009]

Don,t sweat it mate , you,v got lots and lots and lots and lots of time.

[Ideation 8,216]

To be honest mate, if you have spent all this time when she has been confined etc, getting a good bond with her and making her responsive, getting good recall etc, then you are half way there.

 

She will probably take to the rest like a natural after a bit of exposure, 12 months isn't that old really.

 

I wouldn't worry about it.

[johnny boy68 11,726]

To be honest mate, if you have spent all this time when she has been confined etc, getting a good bond with her and making her responsive, getting good recall etc, then you are half way there.

 

She will probably take to the rest like a natural after a bit of exposure, 12 months isn't that old really.

 

I wouldn't worry about it.

I hope he ain't like Finn lately he'll take him ferreting and he'll do himself a mischief and be in sick bay again.

 

No mate 12 months is ok.........at least being laid up he ain't learnt no bad habits.

[darbo 4,776]

dont worry. seen a dog started at 14 months previous owner had done nothing with it. it ended up a decent worker. just take your time.

[rocky070707 30]

got a dog three years old [bANNED TEXT] l start him off he turn out all right

[whin 463]

dogs got abit of time , but your better getting them out early ,as they develop quicker and no what what , never had whippet so dont no there capabilities cmpared to apurpose bred lurcher , just leash her up and let her see

[RossM 8,121]

Mate my old bitch was my wee sisters dog from pup and I never got to do nowt with her till she was around 14mth and couldn't be arsed with her, by the time she caught her first she was 18mth and she jumps, is stock broken, retrieves to an acceptable level, does pull on lead though! But has put all edible game in the freezer and I wouldn't change her for the world, time effort and patience from both dog and owner and it will all come together.

[B.P.R 2,798]

Thanks for the replies. That's the response and answers I was hoping for.

[mintstick999 485]

Work on getting the bond, plenty of time yet she won't of forgotten what you've already shown her, atb

[whin 463]

never 3ever been in that situation with apup , broken legs etc i would be , thinking ,pet home and every time she ran i would be counting the vet bill hopefully it doesnt happen but , i wouldnt take a bet on it , if your going get serous with hunting dogs i would be thining ahead and keep her as a wee pet and think of some old biddy along the road etc from you im maybe wrong hopefully but ,a bad start in life so young some bmever come spot on when you put them under pressure and stress

[Ideation 8,216]

To be honest mate, if you have spent all this time when she has been confined etc, getting a good bond with her and making her responsive, getting good recall etc, then you are half way there.

 

She will probably take to the rest like a natural after a bit of exposure, 12 months isn't that old really.

 

I wouldn't worry about it.

I hope he ain't like Finn lately he'll take him ferreting and he'll do himself a mischief and be in sick bay again.

 

No mate 12 months is ok.........at least being laid up he ain't learnt no bad habits.

]

 

To be honest mate, i did type, then delete, something a long the lines of, i'd be less worried about the time off with two broken legs, and more worried that he will make it a hat trick within his first season.

[asanley 1,009]

Whin maybe he,s not hoping to be a super poacher with a super dog . maybe he wants a decent little rabbiting ferreting companion.

[whin 463]

asanley cmon if a dogs got thin bones or soft , or just real lite built rabbits are tricky litle beggers turn on a tanner and head for horrible bits at times , never said about super poacher etc whatever , you did tit ,im arealist , let the dog recover work it like anormal lurcher if it comes on you have won awatch if not well start thinking along the lines of aproper rabbit lurcher or allrounder , im not a dreamer mate ive done alot of rabbiting inmy time there not that easy at times , for a dog ,maybe you believe in fluffy bunny storys , get adog for the job , but hopefully he hets no more hassle and the legs heal up and they dont stress with turning twisting etc ,