A general forum for the discussion of hunting with beagles, guns, clothing and other equipment and just talking dawgs! (Tall tales on hunting allowed, but remember, first liar doesn't stand a chance)
Good points JCM and your methods have obviously worked for you. Everyone has different training methods and the fact is that I would definately fall into the category of "internet beagler" at this time.LOL But I have seen the benefits of soloing and actually have learned from several over the years that have benefited from utilizing it. I would venture to guess though that handlers that utilize solo time (as part of there training programs) as a whole have won more hunts than those that dont. It is interesting to hear a successful kennels training methods. I like the analogy of the house. But if you look at your pack or hound like atheletes on a team and with minor adjustments to training methods can bring out (develop) individual talents which makes the team better I dont think you have done the beagling world a disjustice by doing it. Im sure Michael Jordon shot a few free throws when there was noone else on the court so to speak.
I truely believe a hound shouldnt be soloed too young you should wait until they have a real understanding of what is going on before hand and that too much of it would not be beneficial. The main benefits I have seen is some hounds over the years for example hunted like demons in a pack and then almost look lost in the field by themselves but after some solo time they get to where it doesnt matter if you run a pack or just run them. Personally it is comforting to know that you can go out and grab one dog and kill rabbits without needing 4 or 5 to accomplish the same thing. With the running grounds a slim as they are around in these parts there are alot of places you can not take a big pack or normal size pack but you can have some great running with a hound or two.
This is just one of my opinions. Believe me I dont live or die by them I am always open to learn.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I want a beagle I can take hunting by itself who can push that bunnie to the gun.I only have to worry about bringing 1 dog home instead of a pack. I usually hunt by myself, live in a suburban area of a city and any more than one dog is a crowd, so it had better be a good independent rabbit dog. Beagles get too dependent on other hounds when packing in. My couch potato does just fine by herself, solo, thank you!
Great points back at it and mason i want a dog looking for a rabbit instead of looking where another dog is going so they can chase after them soloing gives them independence which hones their running ability by having to do the work themselves
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I never run in the wild without a broke dog period. I may run pups in a pen a few times by themselves to take a close look at just them but if he can't learn from that old dog (that I obviously like or I wouldn't have) and doesn't have enough desire to make a positive addition to the pack without special treatment then I don't need him or her. I have been raising beagles on rabbits for over 35 years and you may miss out on one occasionally that developes slower but my experience is that you usually know perty early what kind of potential each pup has. As much as I run my dogs I wouldn't even think about breeding a dog that took even more time to develope then I already give them. JMO
I STILL THINK THAT IF YOU MAKE A CROSS TO IMPROVE YOUR PACK AND RUN IT WITH YOUR PACK,WHAT DID YOU IMPROVE ALL THE PUP LEARNS IS WHAT IT IS TAUGHT,IT'S BRED IN QUALITIES MOST LIKELY WANT COME OUT ,SO WHY MAKE THE CROSS JUST GET ANOTHER LIKE YOU GOT AND GO ON WITH IT,,,,,
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If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered
But I have seen the benefits of soloing and actually have learned from several over the years that have benefited from utilizing it. I would venture to guess though that handlers that utilize solo time (as part of there training programs) as a whole have won more hunts than those that dont. It is interesting to hear a successful kennels training methods. I like the analogy of the house. But if you look at your pack or hound like atheletes on a team and with minor adjustments to training methods can bring out (develop) individual talents which makes the team better I dont think you have done the beagling world a disjustice by doing it. Im sure Michael Jordon shot a few free throws when there was noone else on the court so to speak. 