Training Dogs Help Needed

[Tank2013 3]

hi guys, i was told recently about training dogs to be locked onto rabbits so they can tell you if a warren is occupied or not, this is something i want to try but dont know how i would train them. any advice would be appreciated and by the way these arent your usual rabbiting dogs they are husky x malamutes was told this didnt matter though as all dogs could do it if trained, thanks

[paulus 26]

hi guys, i was told recently about training dogs to be locked onto rabbits so they can tell you if a warren is occupied or not, this is something i want to try but dont know how i would train them. any advice would be appreciated and by the way these arent your usual rabbiting dogs they are husky x malamutes was told this didnt matter though as all dogs could do it if trained, thanks

its called marking

[Country Joe 1,411]

 

 

 

I wouldn't class marking as training, as they usually pick it up themselves,

The easiest way, is to take a young dog ferreting, watching the rabbits hitting the nets, and using there nose, eventually the penny should drop, and they could start marking.

All dogs are different, and its up to the owner to notice, I have seen markers digging at a bury and whining, this you don't want, it alerts the Rabbits that you are there.

The best ones i have seen, has just been a tilt of the head, nothing more.

The best marker i ever had, was my Whippet X Bedlington, just a tilt of the head, then she would quietly lie down behind the bury waiting for a bolt.

If you had to dig, she would move off, and when you finished she would be waiting at the next occupied hole.

To much emphasis is put on chasing and catching.

A good marking dog will save you a lot of time, and put more Bunnies in your bag.

I once watched some young lads who were ferreting, they had three Lurchers with them, and not one marked, and there were occupied burys.

Any Dog i reckon will mark,Border Collies appear to take to it well.

So i suppose your Dogs could manage it.

but they wouldn't be my ideal dog for rabbiting.

[GAV*81 15]

That last post was spot on but when your dog starts marking don't praise him or her or they will start marking any set occupied or not

[ratpackjack 272]

I wouldn't class marking as training, as they usually pick it up themselves,The easiest way, is to take a young dog ferreting, watching the rabbits hitting the nets, and using there nose, eventually the penny should drop, and they could start marking.All dogs are different, and its up to the owner to notice, I have seen markers digging at a bury and whining, this you don't want, it alerts the Rabbits that you are there.The best ones i have seen, has just been a tilt of the head, nothing more.The best marker i ever had, was my Whippet X Bedlington, just a tilt of the head, then she would quietly lie down behind the bury waiting for a bolt.If you had to dig, she would move off, and when you finished she would be waiting at the next occupied hole.To much emphasis is put on chasing and catching.A good marking dog will save you a lot of time, and put more Bunnies in your bag.I once watched some young lads who were ferreting, they had three Lurchers with them, and not one marked, and there were occupied burys.Any Dog i reckon will mark,Border Collies appear to take to it well.So i suppose your Dogs could manage it.but they wouldn't be my ideal dog for rabbiting.

I have to say your spot on there joe my terrier saves us lots of time she marks well and is silent as a mouse just wags her stum while going rigid , she is also a good ratter so best of both worlds

[Tank2013 3]

thanks lads il take the dogs out with me and see how they react, worth a try if not looks like ill be investing in a more typical marking dog

[Country Joe 1,411]

That last post was spot on but when your dog starts marking don't praise him or her or they will start marking any set occupied or not

Forgot that bit.

[The one 8,456]

Aye dont over praise them or they start false marking

[tomas 9]

One thing that is most unrated part of a rabbiting dog I have a whippet that hasn't taking to marking yet which. Is anoying but he will in time. Any dog will mark just make sure you know your dogs well so you can tell the signs

[Tank2013 3]

will showing them rabbit skins and letting them get the smell help?

[tomas 9]

Best way to learn is off another dog that's doing the job

[The one 8,456]

Bet way is to get them out in the field as much as possible

[Stretch177 39]

I have a 9 month old Lakeland x bitch and she is spot on. Had her out pretty much every weekend/other weekend since she was 5 month old and she took to it straight away, once they know what they are doing/going for they will do it automatically. Get them out as much as possible i say, dont over praise them when a bury is occupied and let them get involved i.e. holding the rabbits in the nets, moving about the bury etc. You need to keep an eye out for what their 'mark' is, some whine, dig, sit, tilt the head, put their head down the hole, scratch, wag tail etc. Mine will sniff the hole, then if there is something there she sniffs again, but puts her head slightly further in, then comes back out and stares at it, while having the odd glance at me and probably saying get the ferrets out lol. It might be harder for you with the breed of the dogs, but my other dog who is a German Shepherd, has an excellent nose and if it was allowed on my permo, he would definitely be out with me ferreting

[skycat 6,173]

will showing them rabbit skins and letting them get the smell help?

Yes. If your dogs are already adult and have never seen a live rabbit, then letting them smell, see, not rag though, a fresh skin can help. You could also lay a trail through grass using the skin, leading it to where you have stashed the skin. Don't let them eat it though!

 

All dogs follow scent as puppies: in fact your original question gave this tired old writer an idea for her article this week! Thank you! You can't actually teach marking, but you can help the dog understand what happens when it first follows scent to a hole. I personally wouldn't take the dogs out together when you are trying to encourage them to mark or follow scent, as one is likely to be geed up by the other, or distracted by the other.

 

If the dogs are broken to ferrets then the best way to start them off is to take them out individually and let them watch what goes on. If they are not broken to ferrets, do that first before going any further. You don't want the dogs to start marking a ferret below ground and trying to kill it when it comes out.