Young Dog Thinks Rabbit is His

Elmer_Fudd · Post by **Elmer_Fudd** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 8:24 am

I have a young male that is about 12 months old. He is a fantastic dog with a ton of drive and nose, but if I shoot a rabbit and he gets to it before I do he runs off with it. Not very far, but if I get close to him he tries to get up and run off with it again. Do any of you have any advice? Understand that I am a poor man with a wife and 2 kids. I hate to spend upwards of $300 on an e-collar. I figure people hunted beagles for hundreds of years without them, but if I have to I guess I will.

Alabama John · Post by **Alabama John** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 8:52 am

Hunt him with a wedeater line tied to his collar. I would start off with 30-40 feet and shorten as needed. It will slip through the weeds and you can step on it when you approach the dog. Walk on the line to the dog and if he tries to run away, he will hit the end of the line. A few times and he will stop running.
I would first hang the line from a tree and put a weight on it to stretch it out so it will not curl up.

tkdkraig · Post by **tkdkraig** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:27 pm

Alabama John that's a great idea! My young female never wants to quit hunting. I think I'll get out the weedeater line next time we hunt.

TOUCHSTONE · Post by **TOUCHSTONE** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 12:15 pm

A friend of mine had a dog that did the same thing. Now he retrieves them great. We don't usually feed a dog befoe a hunt but you might try that. Use a dead rabbit at home and put him on a 50 ft rope (parachute cord works well) and help him bring it to you using lots of praise. When he gets to you give him a chunk of boiled liver in exchange for the rabbit. May need to cary some the first few times you hunt. I think the key is to get him doing it in a controlled environment both on and off the lead first. Be cautious of severe discipline over this issue because it is such a blessing to have a pack member that will retrieve. A few rabbits lost now will be compensated for in coming years. Good luck! Dan M

wvduece · Post by **wvduece** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:28 am

i havent done it in years but years ago a ol;d guy that hunted wth all kinds of dogs he he told me to carry a lil bottle of amonia with me n when i shot a rabbit try to get to thje rabbit before the dogs or pups do n put 2or3 drops of the amonia on the bunny it does work i trained many a pup n a few older beagles doing that just got away from it after i got e collars but the amonia driops will work the beagles will track right up to the bunny n get one sniff of amonia n they just quit get away from the rabbit id hang it in bush n just go back to hunting dogs never fooled with it again just a old time way that does work jb

Elmer_Fudd · Post by **Elmer_Fudd** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 6:50 pm

Thanks a lot, now I have a few new tips to try.,

coolbrze · Post by **coolbrze** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 7:04 am

Alabama John wrote:Hunt him with a wedeater line tied to his collar. I would start off with 30-40 feet and shorten as needed. It will slip through the weeds and you can step on it when you approach the dog. Walk on the line to the dog and if he tries to run away, he will hit the end of the line. A few times and he will stop running.
I would first hang the line from a tree and put a weight on it to stretch it out so it will not curl up.

That's a d*mn good idea! Not too sure about the amonia one though. Seems to me you'd want the dogs to sense closure of the bunny and not to be turned off by the aroma of amonia...