The American Beagler Forum

I have always had pups start relatively easy and young, usually around or before 6 months old. I have a 8 month old that I am working and he just isnt showing much interest. Ive put a lot of rabbit scent in front of him and in the yard he will show lots of interest but in the field he does nothing. I jumped 3 rabbits in front of him this morning and he didn't even as much as wag his tail. He will go with the big dogs but doesn't do much other than me tooing once in a while. I guess my question is what is the oldest age some of you guys started a dog or did the light finally come on?

I know my dogs so I would have given up on it before eight months. I've wasted a lot of hours trying to get a worthless dog to run a rabbit. Hours that could have been better spent enjoying a good pack running.
I remember reading about a dog that finished for its Traditional Brace Championship when it was ten years old. The proud owner poked his chest and said she is so good she could finish all over again. Someone said, yeah if she had another then years.
"Time waits for no man".

Shelf him til hes a yr then try again

Take it with other dogs and tie it with a long leash so it can see and hear the others running but cannot join in. Beagles are pack animals and do not like being left out. After a while of showing interest but can't join, when it is trying to get loose and the others are running close, let it go.

If that doesn't work do as Andy says and put him up for a while and let him watch you taking the others and leaving him at home. Some just start late.

I have let some go and others took them and later they became dogs I sure regretted letting go.

Some dont start until a year old and they usually make the best ones! After that age and he wasn't showing interest I'd cull him!

Put him in a pin he will start alot quicker

I expect mine to start around 7mo but give them until a year if I like them.

I don t start my till there are 8 month old. and wait the next season before I hunt over them with the older dogs.Why? I don t need them in the pack.I love to run 8 to 10 dogs.

Like Rack said.Some don t start early and sometimes they end up being the best one. I have done this in the early years.next time you turn out leave him in the dog box and let him hear the other dog run.Do this about three times then turn him out.Tell the dog.OK buddy if you don t straighten up.DOG Pound here you go.You never Know.

Starting pens makes all the difference. I have a 17 month old female and she use to lay at my feet and listen to the other dogs run. Then she started going with them but would come back shortly when she was 8 to10 months old. I was about to give her away when at 15 months old she started staying with the dogs and she started barking. She is now a reliable little beagle she was never started in a pen. This little dog learned me a lot. Like in the above statements some dogs just start a little slower.

Years ago I had a female out of Spicers Blue Back and Spicers Ginger I thought a lot of. Got her when she was about 15 months old and she died at my house at 15 years old 2 years ago. The hole time I had her she only came in heat twice. I kept a female out of her 1st litter and she didnt want to start. I took her hunting every time we went and all my buddys would ask why I was waisting my time. I told them to just shoot away and act like she wasnt even there. They said she would be gun shy and I said what does it matter if she dont start she's useless any ways? We were hunting one day at peabody in Western Ky when I noticed she was gone and all the sudden I heard a pretty chop mouth open up with the pack. My Wifes Grandfather yelled and asked me what dog it that was. It was her and she was 13 months old! We killed several rabbits that day and she never looked back. Made one of the nicest dogs I ever owned. Doubt I could ever do that again because any more my patients wear thin to quick and Ive become very picky and hard to please. LOL!

Guess the point is depends on how much you think of her and how much time you want to put in her. Dont put any extra effort in her if you dont want to just take her hunting when you take the rest of your dogs. Then youre not out money, gas, or time just because of her. You never know? Good luck.

I had a jeep pup that ran good in the pen, but wouldnt run in the wild until he was 10 months old. Thought about selling him a few times.....then the light went on and he took off and became a beast. One of the best young males i have started.

I agree with everybody else some just need more time. It is true with other breeds as well as people. Some get it quick some take much longer. For me I look at the pedigree and if the breeding is behind them I will stick with them longer than with a pup with a unproven past.