The American Beagler Forum

How old is a pup when you start breaking him off trash (shock collar). My little pup is 6 mo. old now and will burn a rabbit up, but she'll also run squirrel and deer, prolly fox and cat too Just dont' want to hurt her hunt by bumping her.

Now is the time...

I would agree, now is the time. Best done before the habit gets set into the dog's mind. Use a lower level of shock. Don't have to use the highest to have an effect. Carolyn

I don't use a collar. Too cheap to buy them. young enough to catch the dogs I guess. I think what is most important is for the dog to be corrected sternly, but directly after the event make sure the dog is allowed to run a rabbit. Preferrably with another dog that dosn't run trash.

The only time I won't correct a pup for running trash is when they popped a deer or sometthing in the field and its the first thing they ever run. I am afraid one could ruin a dog if correct to sternly at that point. I had a dog start on deer already. I ran that dog with other dogs that only ran rabbits. The deer problem went away. In this case I would just catch the dog and put it on a leash.

I have a method that has worked for me. Drive around until you see some deer in an open field. Open enough that there won't likely be a rabbit there. Get the dog out and let it see and run the deer. Let it run it enough to bark and know it is running scent. Shock it off the deer without being abusive but enough to make the point. As soon as you correct it go straight to a hunny hole to run rabbits. If you have one live trapped all the better. A couple of rounds of this and your pup should be cured with no harm done. Can imagine that working with cats also, and maybe even squirrels. Fox might be a little harder.