New Bitch looking well. But no kill yet. Issues at the ditch.

[Matt3699 142]

My Bitch is about 15 months old now. She is a Saluki X and it felt like she would remain a puppy all her life. I have noticed over the last couple of months that she is finally maturing and losing the bad puppy habits that have frustrated me for so long.

 

She is hunting well and really showing great potential. I haven't worked her much. She had a quick show of the lamp when she was younger and responded well. Most of the time I am taking her out in the evening, on a public footpath with lots of bunnies about. The only trouble is that because this path is walked a lot by the public, the rabbits are very wary. They will sit tight against the ditch. The rabbits that are in the middle of the fields will be gone before you even have time to slip a dog.

 

She knows exactly what she has to do, although she hasn't caught anything yet, she is constantly hunting and scanning the area. However, due to the fact she has only chased rabbits that hug the ditch, I'm fearing that it is knocking her confidence. When I slip her on a rabbit that is sat by a ditch she will bolt down after it. She gets incredibly close to catching, but instead of turning into the ditch to follow the rabbit, she bolts straight past it at full speed. It's got to the point now where it looks like she isn't running to catch. But instead, running because she thinks it is a game. It's like she knows that the rabbit is just going to hop into the ditch so she doesn't give it her all. She's been running past a lot of rabbits that I know my old bitch would have taken easily.

 

I know patience is my friend, and I really need to get her a decent run. Once she has her first kill it should boost her up and give her the confidence in catching.

 

I have a small area that I have permission in so will get her out on the lamp soon. If anyone is in the Cambridgshire area and fancies a hunt then send me a PM.

 

 

Anyone have any similar issues with a new dog?

 

Here she is.

 

Edited September 26, 2012 by Matt3699

[patterdale666 1,620]

Try her somewhere else that hasnt got people walkin it all the time more chance for her to catch or bring her ferreting

[andrewD 0]

i have a 9month old collie whippet hound bitch she is lamping already catching and killing but she wont break a ditch either she js pulls up [bANNED TEXT] a rabbit hits the ditch

[Matt3699 142]

Yeah that is the most obvious answer. I know I need to get her out in different places. It's difficult because of my lack of permission and long working hours. I'm gonna take a drive this weekend and give her a good run somewhere else.

Edited September 26, 2012 by Matt3699

[Country Joe 1,411]

Wait till Mixy breaks out, even though i hate the Disease,a few kills will give the dog confidence.

[nighteyes 275]

sounds like there rabbits she running she dosent stand a chance of catching, and the one shes chasing disappears into the hedge,ditch shes looking for the next one and so on , take her out on the lamp and try and find her one right out that she will have a chance on try and make it as easy as you can for her

[bedwhippet 164]

got a 13 month old pup that wasnt interested in squatted rabbits on the lamp mate,, next day caught me a rabbit in the day time putting it into a hedge then bringing it straight back out,,, some pups will take alot longer to switch on,, just persavere and keep at it and when she finally gets that first one the penny will start to drop and you will reap the rewards all the best mate

[Matt3699 142]

sounds like there rabbits she running she dosent stand a chance of catching, and the one shes chasing disappears into the hedge,ditch shes looking for the next one and so on , take her out on the lamp and try and find her one right out that she will have a chance on try and make it as easy as you can for her

 

Yeah that's it. She runs ahead looking for the next rabbit... to run past . But you are right. I think that is what she's doing.

got a 13 month old pup that wasnt interested in squatted rabbits on the lamp mate,, next day caught me a rabbit in the day time putting it into a hedge then bringing it straight back out,,, some pups will take alot longer to switch on,, just persavere and keep at it and when she finally gets that first one the penny will start to drop and you will reap the rewards all the best mate

Cheers mate.

[ruby16 80]

VERY NICE LOOKING BITCH MATE, JUST MY TYPE OF LURCHER, GET HER AWAY FROM FOOTPATHS AND SHE WILL BE FINE, MY SALUKI X WHIPPET /GREYHOUNDS TOOK TO IT STREIGHT AWAY.

[dytkos 17,783]

You've answered your own question mate. As has been said, try and get her on a couple of mixies or somewhere where they are less wary to give her confidence.

 

Cheers, D.

[Tyla 3,179]

If she was mine i would stop taking her to places where she doesnt have a chance of catching. I would get her out with the ferrets and let her hold a few in the nets, she'll catch, in her mind at least, and its all very controlled. Once she has caught and believes she can do it take her somewhere where the rabbits arent educated and give her a chance, alternatively try again with the ferrets on an open bury and leave the nets off.