Need Some Expert Advice

[JP Kennels]

Here's the deal....I have a tri-colored female that is ARHA reg.....she is a LP trial dog that took 2nd place in her first trial..... a couple weeks ago... When I first got the dog.... I hunted her for the first time, and she would just run forever away from you before she would come back and hunt, and then she was very hard to catch....I kept working with her, and noticed a big improvement in her the longer I hunted her.... I thought what the heck she starting to pack good with other dogs, come to me when I yell her name....and I really starting liking the dog....I killed several rabbits over her this winter, and was very proud of her..... But..I took her out this weekend by herself and she started this whole running away from me thing, and not listening to her name....It seems like when she hunts solo the girl wants to act up....she does great with other dogs around.... THe problem is she needs some solo time to herself to really reach her full potential...I can't get her to do anything by herself.... I need advice on how to correct this problem....for me and the dogs benefit.....???

[Red Briar Kennels]

JP, I believe there might be a couple of things you can try. One is, what ever you were doing with her that began to help the first time could be attempted again. Another might be a check cord (often used for training bird dogs), and working with her in the field, but often becomes a problem with an already running hound because it often limits the dogs running capabilities, etc. The method I believe I would use, and I think might be the most effective would be an e-collar. I personally use on most of my hounds, both while training, and hunting. It serves two purposes really. One, it always gives you the ability to stop an unwanted chase should your hound bump a deer, or some other off game. Second, you can use it as a sort of recall for your dog. We professionally train dogs here at our facility, and have found that a collar really speeds things up as well as it gives us total control. Now, this is not implying that you just strap that baby on and start shocking every time the dog doesn't come. There is a method we use to begin implementing this procedure. However, it is very useful and effective,.....given the fact it is used correctly. We use the Tri-Tronics Classic 70 collars. It has a button that simply makes the collar beep, and another button that actually delivers the shock. Once your dog is trained to the collar, most of the time, all you have to do is simply call your dog and possibly beep it, and here they come. BUT,....you have the availability to coax him with a little current IF he decides he's going to be hard headed. I'm not implying that we are the foremost authority on dog training, but if I can help you in any way, please don't hesitate to email, or call me as I would be glad to speak with you in more detail if you like. For more contact info, you can log onto our web site at http://www.redbriarkennels.com . Goodluck with your hound!

[JP Kennels]

Thanks for the helpful advice.... I guess I need to get me an e-collar....do you know where I could get one for a fairly decent prize, or do you know anybody that has a good used one for sale.... thanks JP

[Red Briar Kennels]

I got all of our collars through a place called the Collar Clinic, they have a web site by the same name. But I've heard quite a bit of talk about a place called Plunkett's Kennel Supply. I spoke with a gentleman who received the exact same collar that I got, but paid about $50 less through Chad Plunkett. Plunketts also have a web site called http://www.plunkettskennelsupply.com . You can order over the internet or call them. I have heard many good things about them lately. I can say that I will probably start buying from them in the future. The Collar Clinic does offer some reconditioned collars that come with guarantees, etc., but brand new,.....I think I would give Plunketts a try. Goodluck.