How long would you

[fellman 116]

Well i attended the welsh game fair at the weekend and have to say i enjoyed it immensley

While having the craic with some of the lads there the subject of holding back terriers came up

after listening to the guys and their reasons for doing it and for how long etc .

i thought i would throw it on here and see what everyone elses ideas on the subject are ??

so tell me how long would you hole them back ? why would you hold them back ?

best age to start them at "real work"?

yis fellman

Edited June 19, 2006 by fellman

[Guest newboy]

Welll

 

till the owner can handle a shovel.... is always a good start

[Guest JOEB]

Good thread Felly

 

My terriers dont do real terrier work...and before anyone jumps on me..........its all in the name TERRA....they just mooch about, rabbit, odd rat ect ect

 

So as a totally uneducated guess, I would let them self enter when/if they seemed ready and mature/big enough to cope with the expected punishment level.

 

You would obviously hold back a very game pup so as not to get it smashed, but all dogs (like people :whistle:) mature at different rates

 

So thats clear then

JOEB

[fellman 116]

Welll

 

till the owner can handle a shovel.... is always a good start

so your terriers are never going to be enterd to earth then?

[Kane 2]

Good thread Felly

 

My terriers dont do real terrier work...and before anyone jumps on me..........its all in the name TERRA....they just mooch about, rabbit, odd rat ect ect

 

So as a totally uneducated guess, I would let them self enter when/if they seemed ready and mature/big enough to cope with the expected punishment level.

 

You would obviously hold back a very game pup so as not to get it smashed, but all dogs (like people :whistle:) mature at different rates

 

So thats clear then

JOEB

 

I hold back but not totaly.I expect a well bred terrier to enter early he will be worked very lightly and sensibly easy earths shallow easy dug places where a bolt can also be expected.Holding back dogs to long can be as dangerous as early entering either causing them to become over eager or to go stale.JMO

[pickaxe 23]

I start mine about 14 months, work maybe once a month or less if there getting bitten, more if there bayers.. 2nd season should be the test not the 1st one , well with patterdales IMO

[jigsaw 11,865]

I have 4 young patts at the mo.I wont let them into a hole til at least 14 months,or until I think their ready.The 1st time is under supervision,at 16 months and after a few looks and light involvement later, I expect them to start becoming keen and show some bit of interest in ground work.I would rather start them at an age when most terriers are mature enough to handle the situation,any earlier and they may be put off and spoilt,but some dogs I've heard of started earlier than this and became dependable workers.

[busterbuster1969 313]

I agree with Pickaxe, 14 months is a good age to Start them of

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

I have 4 young patts at the mo.I wont let them into a hole til at least 14 months,or until I think their ready.The 1st time is under supervision,at 16 months and after a few looks and light involvement later, I expect them to start becoming keen and show some bit of interest in ground work.I would rather start them at an age when most terriers are mature enough to handle the situation,any earlier and they may be put off and spoilt,but some dogs I've heard of started earlier than this and became dependable workers.

 

Mate -I would be interested to know how you supervise a dog under ground as its totally on its own ,or should be .Do you mean you choose the earth carefully which is good practise for a pup .Keep them winning at any age ,within reason and the seed is sown for a good career .Some strains of terrier are notorious for early starting whereas some are annoyingly late .A good stockman will know when to enter to proper work by the way the pup is around others and the willingness to show interest when taken out to watch others at work .A pup that is continually testing its elders ,and I mean boisterous to the extreme will benefit from an early start even if it is held back later .The birthdate of pups effects the starting sometimes .

[J Darcy 5,871]

No dog, of whatever breed, has ever been spoilt by holding it back....in the grand scale of things, there really is no rush

[socks 32,253]

all my futer terriers are not going near an earth untill they are 2 years of age from now on and are tottaly mature both physicaly and mentally .... there have been a fair few instances of this over the last coupkle of years that have led me to this desicion .........

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

all my futer terriers are not going near an earth untill they are 2 years of age from now on and are tottaly mature both physicaly and mentally .... there have been a fair few instances of this over the last coupkle of years that have led me to this desicion .........

Socks-

I respect your decision mate but will it leave you wondering whether or not you have missed a season of work from the dog .I in no way endorse early entering but I do like to think I know when to enter a pup and wouldnt like to think it hinged on any given time span .When a pup is fighting for the hell of it at exercise then its time it saw some work to channel the aggression away from its kennel mates.A satisfied terrier walks with the others .Each to their own and long may that be .

foxdropper .

[Kane 2]

No dog, of whatever breed, has ever been spoilt by holding it back....in the grand scale of things, there really is no rush

 

 

Big statement that,without knowing and working every strain type or bloodline, not many would be arrogant enough to make it.JMO

 

all my futer terriers are not going near an earth untill they are 2 years of age from now on and are tottaly mature both physicaly and mentally .... there have been a fair few instances of this over the last coupkle of years that have led me to this desicion .........

Socks-

I respect your decision mate but will it leave you wondering whether or not you have missed a season of work from the dog .I in no way endorse early entering but I do like to think I know when to enter a pup and wouldnt like to think it hinged on any given time span .When a pup is fighting for the hell of it at exercise then its time it saw some work to channel the aggression away from its kennel mates.A satisfied terrier walks with the others .Each to their own and long may that be .

foxdropper .

 

I know where your coming from Foxdropper some young terriers could test the patience of a saint.

[fellman 116]

well a weekend talking to some good dog lads has made me rethink what i have been doing for the last 10-15 years ..............somewhere between what pickaxe said and what socks said is where i will be from now on

and darcy i tend to agree .........easy to enter easy to spoil

yis fellman

[pickaxe 23]

fellman it is the easier they enter the easier they spoil, and I'm lucky I've worked the same family for over 20 years and hope my f**k ups are behind me, next pup could still show me how little i know

Edited June 19, 2006 by pickaxe