The American Beagler Forum

What are some opinions about soloing the good and the bad. Just want to see what everybody thinks.
Big Boy Patch
Phil WAlls Jr

I belive soloing a youg houd is a must. I feel they learn how to hunt or search rather than just a me too dog. Also see benifits in teaching handling 1 on 1 althou I have most of this ability taught in the early puppy stage but they still need a little in the field work.
Not all the pressure soloing , to me it's has great benifits and is a must. Just knowing how much soloing I think is a bigger question, differs from dog to dog. The human learns this form being a good observer and years of have hounds. just some of my thoughts on this. Good question !!

I too am a big beleiver in soloing young hounds. Check my site for info on how it is done at Pawpaws Kennels
http://www.geocities.com/pawpawskennels/solo.html

does anyone think to much soloing can cause a dog not to pack up? i think a dog should be able to run alone but most of us run packs. i would rather have 4 or 5 hounds that bring the bunny to the gun rather then 1 dog by its self.

I'm a firm believer in soloing. It allows a young dog time to build up confidence in holding a track and you also get to see what areas it needs work in. I usually start mine with an older slow dog and once they start running I solo them for awhile before putting them in with my faster dogs. Once I get ready to start running the young dog with the pack I usually try and keep them in the pen or tied close to my faster dogs. I've seen a few blow up and not pack up because they couldn't keep up with the pack. I also like soloing my older dogs every once in a while between gun season and not running the same dogs together everytime to try and avoid the ME TOO complex. Just my opinion but it seems too work for me.

3:1 ratio. Solo three times, pack once. Keep that rotation and you can't go wrong. I have tooooo many to do this so I brace them when I can.

these are all good answers , i personaly think there is never to much of a solo thing, i usualy start my pups about 3 months, i take a tame rabbit turn it loose in my back yard let the pup chase the rabbit and chew on it,,,,,next time i put the pup in a taxi and tease it a bit turn the rabbit loose and let it run off a bit then turn the pup loose,,,,3rd time i keep the pup in the taxi let the rabbit loose in front of him and run off the at about 70 yards i pick the rabbit up and put it up then turn the pup loose to let it use its nose,then the pup is ready for the brush,,,,,,,,,i solo my pups up to a year old before i put them with another dog then the other dog has to be alot slower so the pup can out run this hound so it doesnt feel pressured,,,,,the old dog will then teach the pup how to work a check area,,,,,now putting a started pup with a faster dog will get the pup to what i call azz barking or just completely shut up just to keep in the race,,,,,,but this is my opinion only,,,,,,,,,

but solo time should never be underestimated,,,give them all the solo time you can,,as mentioned above if you have 5 hounds hunt 3 in the morning the other 2 in the afternoon if you hunt the next day mix the dogs up dont keep hunting the same dogs all the time,,,,,,,,,,


hope this helps,,,,,,

I agree with a lot of solo time. I want to know every dog I have is able to bring the rabbit to the gun. I have never had a dog that would not pack after training like this but, I am sure it could happen.

I am a believer of soloing hounds, i think it shows the faults in them and helps them become a better hound, you should also run them with a pack to if you pack hunt but you should mix it up, especially with a pup i think its critical to start a pup by soloing it till its 10 - 12 months old, just my opinion.

I to beleive soloing is a must,once the hound is taught what it is it needs to put a rabbit in a loop the hound should not care if it is packed up with a elephant.Each hound knows what it is they are supose to do therefor it should not matter what it is packed up with.Keith, greenesbeagles.

Run em solo until they are jumping and circling rabbits solo. Then put em with a slower veteran that is trash proof. Don't put too much pressure on the young dog. Let him get the job done. Once a dog is packing in well go back to soloing. Do as much of it as you can. Once or twice a week with a pack is all they need. Dan M