The American Beagler Forum

Hi all,

I'm in Virginia and have been working on getting my beagle trained for rabbits. I've been quiet for awhile on the board, but have not been idle.

I have acquired a Tritronics field grade collar and done basic work. Prior to that, we worked on heel-stay-come and gotten pretty good at it. Additionally, we worked on trailing rabbits, but on the leash only. It didn't stop him from trying and being very vocal.

Last night, we found two rabbits. I had the dog wearing the Tritronics collar, so he was free to pursue the rabbit. He deviated for a squirrel and was zapped. No more squirrel chasing! On the second rabbit, he went into the woods for the second time and chased it around a bit. He came right back to me on the tone.

So, I think he's ready for a field trial as a training environment. Does anyone have anything going on this weekend or the last weekend in October that I could take him to? What about some hunting events?

Raphine Va has a hunt in November, first or second Sunday I believe. Maybe Jim can tell you for sure. We have a hunt in December in Saltville also. These are both little pack hunts and are both on Sundays. Raphine is about 20 miles southwest of Stauton, Va. off I81 and Saltville is about 40 miles northeast of Bristol, Tn. off I81. Hope this may help.

Thanks for the reply.

A November hunt would be great. I just need to get it planned out. How do I sign up?

I believe rabbit season starts in early November. I have yet to train the dog to the gun...I guess I'll have to take him to the skeet and trap range. Any tips on getting the dog used to gun fire? I want to avoid creating a gun shy dog.

You can just register the hound at the hunt.

You are more than welcome to come run with us anytime also. We are in Saltville right off exit 29 on I81!

Just give us a shout if we can help ya in anyway!

Bill Woods

Go to the trial and watch, don't put your dog in. It sounds like you just started him on running rabbits and he needs to get some rabbit tracks under his nose and fully broke before you go taking him to trials. A field trial is not a training event it is an evaluation. Get a good gun season in on your dog, make sure he is trash broke and then if you think he is decent enter him in a trial. A trial is no place for young dogs that just got started. Take your time with him and fine someone experienced in your area and see if you can go and run with them.

Breaking a dog to the gun. I will always remember what Big Dog told me. With young dogs only shoot while they are actually running a track. They probably dont hear it to the point of suprising them. Shoot a blank pistol or light a firecracker the next time he is running. Some dogs you could shoot a 105mm howitzer around and it would not bother them, but it might be too much to take for some at a skeet range while on a lead. Rather than break the dog it may cause shyness. Don't make a big deal about guns. Every dog is different.
Raphine Beagle Club is a good place to watch and learn about trials. It is kind of a family atmosphere with some good dogs and some weird cousins. Some of the grounds are open enough to see what is going on during the casts.

What do you recommend then about getting the dog on tracks? I can do so in a very limited way in this urban environment.

I am trying to find a farm that will allow me to run him. So far, it's been a wash. People in Northern VA are really, really liability conscious (with good reason).

I found some fox pens for rent, but I want rabbits and don't want to confuse him.

Where do you live in Northern VA Cerebralfix? I am from VA myself, little town called Tappahannock. If you tell me where you live I may be able to put you in contact with some beaglers near you. It is rough in your area to find places to run, but you definitely don't want to use a trial for running your young untrained dog. If there are trials near you then go to them and you can meet some beaglers that you might be able to hook up with and run. There are also a couple of SPO clubs in VA that might let you join and run in there pens. Tell me what city you live in, and we may be able to help you out. I know some guys in fredericksburg/spotsylvania and a few in manassas that might be able to put you on some runnin grounds.

I'm just outside Fairfax. Anything within a two hour drive is fine.

Thanks!

I live just south of you in Augusta/Rockbridge Co. I-81 exit 200. You are welcome to run with me anytime. Plenty of farms to run.

hounddog
Jim Umbarger
540-292-3000

hounddog wrote:I live just south of you in Augusta/Rockbridge Co. I-81 exit 200. You are welcome to run with me anytime. Plenty of farms to run.

hounddog
Jim Umbarger
540-292-3000

Hi Jim,

When are you planning upon going again? My goals are pretty modest: get this dog hunting!

Hounddog is a good man, I have been to his place to run before at a UkC hunt. He can put that young dog of yours in some rabbits.

Big Dog

Hounddog is a nice guy, I'm a little farther north close to Interstate 66, I'm at Exit 283 on I81, we don't have a lot of places to run but get with me and you can go with us, we have all kinds and styles of dogs from 12 inch to 15 inch, fast and medium speed, some are a little crazy, some actually listen, we have a good time though. I'm just sitting here sick at the moment, not going to deer hunt tomorrow but if I feel better, I'll go run Sunday morning.

I live in WV. but work in Fairfax County, Reston. We run a few nights a week and are always traveling to a trial on the weekends. Pm me your # if interested in going along.

Big Dog wrote:Hounddog is a good man, He can put that young dog of yours in some rabbits.

Big Dog

Jim is a good guy with some farm runnin. He is knowledgable as well and may be able to offer some insight.