Tips for New Trainer?¿

[crazy_j]

Greetings again all!

It would appear, from the staggering response to my last message ;-), that there are no clubs in CO, perhaps I will start one!

At any rate, as I have not trained beagles before and am struggling with how to train / what to do...I figured why not ask some questions here. I have read many of the books on the subject with little avail, considering that everyone has their own technique.

I have been looking at E-Collars and am unable to decide what to use, what does everyone else use for Beagling?

I am in the process of whistle training for basic commands (sit, come etc...) are there any special commands that I should work on with a Beagle?

As I have never Beagled before (and don't really know any Beaglers), what considerations should I take the first time that I take my Beagle out to the field for an actual hunt, up to this point he is only yard trained. Specifically, my concerns are what to expect (granted each dog is different), but some basic pointers as to what to look for, what to be concerned with, and what to do etc...

I realize that I just covered a HUGE amount of territory, but any and all input is greatly appreciated!

If anyone is ever in the CO area, feel free to drop a line and teach me a thing or two ;-)

Thanks again,
~Dr J.

[DBM]

In my opinion, you would be better off to teach your dog to come to you and to heel. Then you and the dog spend as much time as you can in the woods, teaching each other how to hunt rabbits. You'll both have more fun. Never give the dog a command you can not make him obay and when you give the command make him obay. Never hit your dog and never shout at him when he is close to you. Treat your dog like a friend, which he is. The problem is, you speak english, he speaks dog, what you have here is a communication problem. Your dog wants to please you, you just dont know how to communicate with him. Spend enough time togather and you'll both figure out how to work around this little problem.
Another thing is "you might not always be right" or " there is more than one way to achieve what you both are after". Watch your dog close he'll communicate with you.

[boss hog]

I usually get my hounds ''started'' in my back yard.I live in a little town where there is more rabbits than folks,NO JOKE!!.I'm the only beagler in my town so I had to learn how to train dogs myself.I usually tag a bunny with a bb gun for my pups.Then I'll play around with them in the yard for a while.I'll drag it,hide it & tease them with it then I'll usually gut it & give it to them.A lot of people don't agree with that but I haven't had any health problems yet.But first I think it is important to establish a communication between you & your hound.I usually just teach the come & down commands.I teach the down command by walking up to the hound & pushing them to the ground gently,and saying down.I teach the come command by tying a 15-20 ft. line to the collar & say come & pull the dog to me slowly rewarding with a hot dog.After I get the dog coming to me I'll combine both of the commands so that when I hollar for a dog they will come to me & down at my feet automatically.As far as shock collars,I own a sport dog 2400.It is all I need in a collar.It is useful from teaching hard headed dogs to mind to breaking them off deer or what have you.It has a mile & a half range pending on terain.It cost around 260.00.It also has a life time warranty with it.You can find it in the NITELITE catalogs.As far as taking your dogs to the field,even if they are started I really wouldn't expect much.I usually take my pups in the field with me around 3 months of age,way before they are started just to let them get a ''feel'' of things.It also helps for when they finally do start,that way there used to the brush & things.After your dogs or dog has started & is running pretty good,you probably should put the dog on a deer with a collar on it.I drive around until I see one,turn the dog on it & if it shows any intrest in it shock it.Don't be afraid.Most importantly,after you shock the dog on a deer or what ever you have in your area take the dog as soon as possible & put it on a rabbit.