How important is shooting rabbits for young dogs?

[adirondackjoe]

i think it helps a lot to kill some in front of them. it helps to keep them from running off game if there's a dead rabbits at the end of the chase.also two of mine retrieve and they wouldn't if it didn't mean something to them.

[redtick79]

What about giving the dogs a piece of the rabbit to eat? My dad use to gut them after they were shot, an let the dogs eat the innards.

[Shady Grove Beagles]

I know many folks give their dogs parts of the rabbit to eat as a reward.My dad and his buddies always gave them the heart and liver.I know a fellow who twists off the heads and lets them eat only the head.Some one else gives them the ears. I've hunted with guys who gut the rabbit on the spot and let the dogs have all of it.
I worked in the X-ray business for over 30 years and had many veterinarians,vet. clinics and animal hospitals as my customers.With no exception they all told me that when you feed your beagle raw rabbit parts [meat,heads,guts,etc.] you're almost guaranteeing they'll get tape worms.
My hounds during the gun season will usually run down several cripples and if they catch one alive they'll usually wolf it down before I can get to them.Three or four weeks later I'll see the tape worm segments in their stool.
If you want to feed the beagles rabbits,best to boil it first.
As always,JMHO

[513Moogie]

I did the same thing and your 100% correct, they will have tape worms. The question you got to ask is does it help a young dogs hunt better? I now save all the organ meat and rib cages and boil them like you said. No more worms.