The American Beagler Forum

Yesterday I began dragging a frozen rabbit around the yard for my 6 month old female beagle puppy (Millie); I also worked with her again tonight. She is doing an excellent job and she really gets excited during the training. Millie get very excited when it is time to go out into the yard, when she finds the rabbit's scent, when she is following the track and when she finds the hidden rabbit (8 for 8). My concern is, Millie hasn't started tonguing when she picks up the scent trail and/or when she is following the scent. My question is, will she begin tonguing on her own or will she pick it up when she gets around another dog? She does bay when she is in the house, when she gets excited about something, and when she is chasing our other dog (not a beagle). Should I be concerned? Thanks for the help,

Bob

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Just keep doing what you're doing and getting her out in the field and one day soon she'll just open right up. I think that is one of the most rewarding aspects of Beagling. When you hear a pup barking on track for the first time.

If you can let her get up close to a live rabbit in a cage where she can see the movement but not get to the rabbit, the movement along with the scent should get her going.

patchgirl wrote:I don't think you have anything to worry about. Just keep doing what you're doing and getting her out in the field and one day soon she'll just open right up. I think that is one of the most rewarding aspects of Beagling. When you hear a pup barking on track for the first time.

+ 1 to that!!

Definitely get a live rabbit, tame or wild, and put it in a cage. When she sees it and it starts moving she will bay. Once she bays at it in the cage, turn it lose with a head start and let her go. Since she's 6 months old you need to do this near tall grass so the rabbit can get away. If not she'll run it down pretty quick and not use her nose.

Something like this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHH-fjXDuU