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How Old Was Your Dog


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Some pups are socks mine was the same took her out on the lamp when she was just 5month old no age at all I no in this case I knew she could handle a couple of runs, couple of weeks previous to this she hunted a rabbit up out of a reed bed and killed that the 1st she'd ever seen, very mature and switched on even as a pup never wanted to play with the other dogs just nose down always in the zone

I remember when I got my first lurcher 20 years ago,there was 6 and 7 month old pups catching hares,mostly but not all on the lamp,road work ,fitness training and winter hares,were terms that had'nt started being used back then,how times have changed,and for the better I say,a lot more thought goes into the game these days

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It depended on the dog - some are more mature and ready than others. Mine have ranged from just over a year to nearly 3 years. I don't take them lamping as early as some - I like them to have puppy

The question was taking your dog lamping for the first time .... ALL my pups are out from around 7 to 8 weeks of age running about seeing and smelling the sights of the countryside BUT they certainly

I took my pup out to watch his mother run a few rabbits when he was 4 months old,the bitch put a hard strike in as the rabbit got near the hedge,she missed,but as the rabbit ran alongside the hedge t

 

Some pups are socks mine was the same took her out on the lamp when she was just 5month old no age at all I no in this case I knew she could handle a couple of runs, couple of weeks previous to this she hunted a rabbit up out of a reed bed and killed that the 1st she'd ever seen, very mature and switched on even as a pup never wanted to play with the other dogs just nose down always in the zone

I remember when I got my first lurcher 20 years ago,there was 6 and 7 month old pups catching hares,mostly but not all on the lamp,road work ,fitness training and winter hares,were terms that had'nt started being used back then,how times have changed,and for the better I say,a lot more thought goes into the game these days

I'd say sometimes too much thought mate but in the main, your right... ;)

As for when they are ready. I've always judged each an every pup I've had based on their actions and reactions when out mooching by day. I always try to ensure that their training and walks cover some rabbit heavy ground at least twice a week, especially as they mature. How switched on they are, learning to hunt up and their motion and action when running are my indicators to when a dog should be started. It's not something I decide without knowing my youngster!!

As my dogs have always been primarily lamp dogs, as soon as that 'something' has clicked, then that daytime stuff ceases and it's lamp time, when and only when, we have got that right, do we return to the daytime game but we are constantly progressing with night hunting.

;)

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four months old in woodland and daylight fields also in the lamp but only with adult dogs best for them to get used to livestock and barbed wire .starting pups to late can lead to some hitting fences hard .pups at four months if they hit a fence etc wont do as much damage as a fast 9 month old pup would .also i like to make sure thaht by takeing them out early thaht thier stamina is built up and that their natural abilities are turned on early scenting bushing etc .the more earlier teaching and exspirience the better the dog will be

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out from three months in the day learning its fieldcraft stock breaking and so on at six months mouthing rabbits when out with the ferrets and showen the lamp just watching at nine months a few runs on the new season greenies then building the dog up to its job on the lamp thats the way have done it with my young dogs bake a cake to fast and it will be ruined but we are all different.atb

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The question was taking your dog lamping for the first time .... ALL my pups are out from around 7 to 8 weeks of age running about seeing and smelling the sights of the countryside BUT they certainly wouldn't be lamping then ... As has been said all dogs start at different ages and the current pup I have now I reckon would do ok on the lamp and she is just shy of 6 months ..... Will I lamp her ? No the season is nearly over so what's the point .... I will leave her have a summer on her back to grow and start her on green easy rabbits around the end of August ..........

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:hmm:Nowadays,..I don't really push my dogs too hard,..just a wee bit of mouching,..etc...

 

But, back in the day,..I was always a firm believer in getting them out young,...they learn nothing sitting in the yard..

 

Glancing at my hunting diaries from the 70s,..I was amazed at how early we were running the lurchers, under the lamp..

 

My written comments from each nights, walk out on the stubble's, were quite shocking.. :icon_eek:

 

I expected a lot from young, immature animals,..but, due to their upbringing in the woods and forest,..I invariably got a result.

 

If I ever get myself another pup,..I'll follow my original path, and get him out, early and educated,..ASAP... :thumbs:

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  • wolf cubs.- 13 days: the eyes open
  • 3 weeks: the milk teeth appear, they start to explore the den
  • 4 - 5 weeks: short trips outside the den, begin to eat meat
  • 6 weeks: moving up to a mile from the den (with adult wolf)
  • 6 - 8 weeks: pups are weaned, traveling to rendezvous site.
  • 12 weeks: begin to travel with the pack on hunts (with adult wolves)
  • 15 - 28 weeks: milk teeth are replaced
  • 7 - 8 months: begin to hunt with the pack
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The question was taking your dog lamping for the first time .... ALL my pups are out from around 7 to 8 weeks of age running about seeing and smelling the sights of the countryside BUT they certainly wouldn't be lamping then ... As has been said all dogs start at different ages and the current pup I have now I reckon would do ok on the lamp and she is just shy of 6 months ..... Will I lamp her ? No the season is nearly over so what's the point .... I will leave her have a summer on her back to grow and start her on green easy rabbits around the end of August ..........

Yeah [BANNED TEXT] hit good point it not just age but time year that big factor big dif in rabs now and rabs start sep that think get over looked to often

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