When To Slip

[Benny31 1]

I think my dog is about ready for her first night out on a lamp.

It will be first time for me too.

 

How close do I need to be to a rabbit before I slip her?

50yrds or closer?

[tb25 4,627]

She's got to see the rabbit first..my first night out I had to walk up to the rabbit for the rabbit to run hen I sliped. Older dogs who no the game will run down the beam as they no what's at the end of it..am sure all still me taking the dog to the rabbit for a while till she clicks

[nighteyes 275]

walk her up on them to start with get as close as you can and pick her rabbits to suit her , well of the hedge etc couple runs home little and often to start with , once she starts spotting them in the beam you can start to send her out to them [ rabbits shes got a chance of catching ] , likes been said let this moon go down try put everything in your pups favor

[Ideation 8,216]

My best advice would be, get her out spotting first, and then wait for the right rabbit, its worth it in the long run.

[Stud dog 632]

This ground is to hard it's frozen solid mate wait till it grounds softer an no moon bit of a wind take her out get a sitter out in middle of a field walk the dog right up to it only let the dog go when you know she as seen the bunny move continue with doing that you'll know when she's ready

Edited February 3, 2015 by Stud dog

[wild rover 548]

Spend a week or two training the dog on the lamp with a reflective dummy, it learns the dog to watch the beam, run the beam and pick up whats at the end of the beam.

[krawnden 1,036]

All good advice so far. I would just add that if the pup's never run on the beam before, as well as choosing the rabbit carefully I'd also choose your ground with care. Places like golf courses, sports pitches and grass grazed ultra short by sheep are notoriously difficult - the rabbits stick out like sore thumbs and, to a rookie, look like sitting ducks but in reality are anything but. Also If you can I'd suggest either flat or evenly sloped fields - something that's got lots of ups and downs is very easy for the dog to go unsighted in because as soon as the rabbit runs over a brow it'll no longer be illuminated by the beam. The trick is to try and put everything in your favour and make it as easy as possible for the pup. Too many difficult slips and you run the risk of the dog getting dispirited and giving up. Good luck....

[skycat 6,173]

50 yards is a lot further than you'd think: rabbits are seldom even that far from safety: burrow, hedge etc. Though of course it depends where you are, and what type of ground you are on. If you can, get between the rabbit and where it wants to go: hedge, cover etc. Look for a squatter and walk towards it. Don't slip on a rabbit that is up and running. when you get to within a few yards of the squatter try and put it up, doesn't matter if the dog hasn't seen it squatting. Kick a clod of earth or hiss at it. Good idea to get the dog used to a hiss, which you teach it means that there is something about. Best to teach the dog this in the daytime. Try and make sure the dog is looking in the direction of the rabbit before it gets up; not as easy as it sounds if the dog hasn't a clue what you are doing out there in the middle of the night.

[mud 2,044]

..............

Edited February 4, 2015 by mud

[Benny31 1]

^{Ah ok thanks for all the advise.}

 

^{Ive been doing some training with a dummy and a lamp, she gets the idea just doesn't always look down the lamp....}

^{Ill wait till the grounds thawed a bit and the moon is not so bright.}

 

^{The meadow I plan to take her on is pretty flat, but there's not loads of rabbits. Ive checked it out a few times around 9pm and seen only a few, real close to the hedges too....}

^{Maybe I would be better to try around midnight or later?}

 

^{She is just over 1 year old. Ive had her 9 months now. Recall was really bad, but now its almost spot on. Im chuffed with that alone, just need her to catch me some bunnies now....}

[Stud dog 632]

Just do what most do drive up to your chosen prey an chuck the dog at it