The American Beagler Forum

I was just curious how most of you guys start your dogs ive had hunting beagles all my life done a lil trialing but mainly just pleasure hunting LOVE RUNNING DOGS ! been out about 5 years first time in my life i havent had dogs anyway im 42 yrs old and have always started my dogs with older ones til they start then started soloing so my ? is do most of you guys and girls start them in pens or just take out with older dogs ?

I prefer to trap rabbits and I reach into the trap....pick up the rabbit by the rear leg til it starts squealing and then drop it in front of the dog...a couple times of that and then I solo them...kicking brushpiles or other rabbit cover to show them where they need to look. After they show a lot of interest in hunting themselves I'll introduce them to another clean hound and let them continue their learning process. Works for me.

i start all my hounds out in the wild, i've never used a starting pen. there are so many ways you can use to start a young one. you can use the rabbit in a live trap method as well as leting them go out with a slower good runin hound. to me though if your really wanting to get your young hound going nothing like leting that pup go out with a good slower hound they will show that little guy more rabbits than you ever could. and they will run a line good and show the pup more scent as well. but you could also get a rabbit in a live trap and let him see it that way let him get all pumped up that way lettin him get the scent this way and then put him with the pup trainer and he'll remember the scent and should have no problem taking off.

Thank you i like the idea of catching a live rabbit never done that before I dont have a beagle on the farm right now but i been lookin for a pup trainer then im gonna get some pups ive been on the computer all morning found an akc hunt in central illinois and some upcoming arha hunts so im gonna watch for a while and see what suites me then im gonna hit the brush ! the snow on the ground really has my wheels turning wife aint likin it to well but oh well i hunt alot but i have to say my first love is running rabbit dogs and im missing it bad!

There are many ways to start beagles.
I once started them in the wild by finding cottontails feeding, walk the pup to the spot, and let their instincts, nose, and, curiosity take over. It was a lot of fun watching them progress.
Now I have an acre starting pen behind my house with a couple of San Juans in it. The San Juans run great as long as there is abundant cover, and an avenue of escape once they get tired. I put the pups in at about three months and let them progress at their own pace. Once they become dedicated to running and tracking I take them out into the fields.