7 replies to this topic

[dnelson]

i just recently got a couple of beagle pups, and im wantn em to run rabbits. i was lookn for tips on getting them started

[PA Hillbilly]

I used to box trap rabbits & let them sight chase them to get them started. It's hard to catch them this time of the year. I would also watch for rabbits in the yard & carry the puptoward the rabbit. Taking it slow not to startle the rabbit. When the rabbit bolts I would let the pup go after it. Most beagle I've had started pretty easy. Don't waste your time with scent drags, the real deal is much better & the sight chase really turns them on. Good luck with the pups.

[tjc1230]

I box trap rabbits too for my pups. Boy when they chase them they are hooked.

[ebbs]

I've got a cousin that bred and trained beagles for many years. He always said box training was the best and only way to go.

[dnelson]

thanks a lot for the tips guys!

[newhornet]

Rabbit Pen..if they have them in your area. Start them there and DON'T overdo it....just run a bunch of rabbit up their nose and turn them loose in the open...WITH shock collars! A DEFINITE MUST if you have "trash" in your area such as fox, bobcat, coyote, house cat, deer,......on and on, basically anything other than rabbit!

[Rem22-250]

Second the shock collars mine responded good with just a slight monetary shock. If the beagles are from a good bloodline and I don't mean necessarily on paper. Just that the generations before them were used for hunting dogs alot of the training will already be in there nature. It's a fact some of the prettiest beagles I have seen are bread for show and most of the hunting traits have been lost in that certain bloodline. If your bloodline are of the hunting variety start them small and take them out where you know there are rabbits and let them sniff around often. If you jump a rabbit put them on the trail talk to them, (put their nose in it)and before long they will get the idea. Just be pateint they are young and will learn something new everytime you take them out. I always let mine grow to at least 8 months before putting them with another running dog. Seemed to me they develop their own personalitiy by then and aren't as influenced or distracted when intuduced to other dogs in the field. Just my .02 but I use to raise some dandy beagles. Hope this helps.

Edited by Rem22-250, 25 March 2010 - 01:45 PM.

[dnelson]

thanks guys