what age/way to start working young dog on rabbits

[Richard Morgan 38]

many different methods as a novice looking for genuine advice whats the right age for dogs first slip/run is it best to take dog out with experianced dogs day/night, in september my dog will be 7-8 mths is this still to young for one or more easy slips can a beddy/whippet make a good lamping dog with time or will he lack the brain opinions greatly appretiated.

[bedwhippet 164]

all depends on the maturity of the dog, all breeds of dog mature at different rates, i personally started my first working lurcher a beddy cross at 7 month old on a few easy rabbits, picking his runs so that he was almost guarenteed the catch so to speak, id only run him on rabbits that are squatted or if you do a bit of ferreting or know anyone tht does, get ya sel out with them and let the dog have a go at some rabbits that have been netted but obviously letting them go in the middle of a field first. all the best mate

[nothernlite 18,089]

dont be letting any rabbits go for your dog let it do it itself i will start ferreting my dogs about 6 months there only small dogs depends on what x it is there not long in learning they will pick it up as they go atb Letting rabbits go and putting your dog on them is a no no ffs

[albert64 1,882]

dont you speak to your dad? ask him he's been running sal x's for 30yrs

but heres my take on it, take your time make sure he's got his manner's

it's not just about exercising a dog, give it stimulation, make sure he's your mate

nothing worse than a dog that wont listen to you no matter what the breed

dont over face him he may look big and strong, but might not be mature in the head

give him easy runs, it'll all klick into place

good luck

[Richard Morgan 38]

good comments lads hes a beddywhippet i dont want him fetched on to soon as ive heard their a cross that are easy to ruin by trying to run before u can crawl

[Richard Morgan 38]

good comments lads hes a beddywhippet i dont want him fetched on to soon as ive heard their a cross that are easy to ruin by trying to run before u can crawl

me das never run this cross before no ones got one round me mate mainly colliexs and salukixs

[Country Joe 1,411]

i just took my young Dog to places where there were lots of young, which he started catching, then he moved up to three quarter rabbits, i never have went for this droppers, and all my dogs over the years have taking to the Rabbit game., i also had him Ferreting when he was 6 months, just using his nose and learning, watching rabbits hit the nets.

[Richard Morgan 38]

cheers country joe theirs plenty up your way southerness is a nice spot ill be taking him out with a pure whippet and red mearle/saluki/whippet both experianced dogs over the next couple of months he works well off me cocker spaiel at the minute recall and retrive for now.

[graham4877 1,181]

well what have you done with the dog so far??? me i have a few dummie with skins on set them out on local foot ball ground and take the lamp. HI VIZ vest reflectors for eyes, then take them mooching about day time always get a run, as springer pushes then out.

I keep away from short grass with young dog.. ie golf course is not the place to be starting young dogs running.. yes take them on switch lamp on walk up to a few with lamp still on, right up to it and kick it up arse so it moves , the dog will see it run,

(can slip if you want but if dogs gets it wrong it could end up dead at best or broken bones )

then go to a few field with longer grass do same again then slip dog on a rabbit as far out in field as you can find one, no your land, no the dangers that the dog can/will come across in field,, I alway pick a field with stock fencing or bushes as fencing. then if dog carrys on running into fence or bush it will not get cut up as bad as if it ran in to a string of barbwire.

alway take 1st aid kit with you,, better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it..

 

if i never had mine other night my older pup would of bled out!

[Richard Morgan 38]

not done alot yet mate as hes only 5 mth hes been up res afew times and round a lads permission seen what its about but i think ill wait another 4 month before he has his first slip id rather wait if my cocker puts them out witch is quiet regular he gets to watch him on witch in itself is all learning experience recall is good and retreaving is coming on nicely looking forward to getting out sept and watching a few real dogs on and see what its all about.

[graham4877 1,181]

get him round as many danders as you can before he get his full speed, ie woods/ditches/ruff ground/farm machines/ then fences.. so he finds his feet..

I don't mean running gear i just mean on walks tho..

in my local woods it used to be a mine under it and their pot holes every few meters as it has sunk with it collapsing in mine, some about a meter round to 10-14meeters round some drop down 5 meters deep, i always start my pups up their, so they have the trees to miss and the big holes, make a real smart dog, and mine alway have an eye on things when they run because of it!