Pups...train with one dog or a group?

[Marty Allen]

Hey guys I need advice....I have 2 pups that are 8 months old that I have been working with. I have been running them together with 3 older dogs figure they will learn from the wise old dogs. These pups will run with the big dogs ...stay with the big dogs....they will break their necks to get to the pack when they open on a rabbit, the problem is they are not barking yet. Is it too early to be worried?.. or should I change plans and break them down to one old dog and one pup till it starts barking and trailing. WE have been running them in a place that is absolutely covered up with rabbits....wish that they would jump a rabbit right under their noses ,that might help...but not yet. What would you guys do?

[Mapel Valley Kennels LLC.]

Ya dont want to get anything done send 2 boys .I like 1 pup with 1 older dog. Works for me.

[SgtUSMC]

I'm new to beagling, but I've started 3 pups in the past year and a half so here's my .02

If the place you're running is covered with rabbits, I think you should take the pups out by themselves and then just stand there. Let them do the work, and they will probably start wandering around and probably jump one themselves. If you're taking them out with the older experienced dogs then I'm pretty sure that they are the ones doing all the jumping. The first time my pups tongued on scent was all on sight chases when they were around 6 months.

If they haven't had a sight chase yet, that will probably bring out the fire in them. Worked like a charm for me. Each time it was like a switch got flipped in their head.
Good luck to you

[RunninHard]

Solo Solo Solo

[Househounds]

I agree with Runnin Hard,
Take them out alone and poor on the praise for them getting in the brush and searching. Then if they jump one give more praise and put them on the scent. Then if they follow more praise and encouragement. Then if they open more praise and keep them on the scent. Realy at first they do not know what to do so show them and they will catch on quick, but do it one at a time at first.
If you do not solo them first they may become "me-tooers".
Its easy for them to just wait around till the rabbit is jumped and then get credit and have fun running with the big dogs when they are not doing or learning anything. I soloed my pups until they could circle their own rabbit and my first pup still has more hunt (getting in the brush and jumping rabbits)then my second, probably because i did not solo my second as much as the first, as I enjoyed running them together.

I still tell myself I am going to take them out of the box one at a time, but do not do it as I love seeing and hearing them work together.

But next time I go out I promise to solo them just sharpen them up.(yeah right)

Here is a good book Beagle Basics by Bill Bennett

http://www.paperbackswap.com/Beagle-Bas ... 944875335/

It worked great for me. Your lucky you have a good training spot, take advantage of it.

Just my 2 cents

good luck

[RunninHard]

Right on Househounds !

[DIXIEDOG]

Solo....if you have more than one pup out there they are most likely just going to play a game of grab arse and not learn anything positive.

[DINGUS MAN]

i have a little different approach than what has been mentioned but not saying its the greatest method. #1 get pup around rabbit at very early age( right after being weaned) and do that for several weeks to a month or two. #2 take out in wild when going running( just to get them used to ridinng in box and out in weeds etc).#3 take to starting pen for a week or two. # 4 take them in wild by themselves and see where they are in wild. #5 alternate solo and going with the puppy trainer, ex: 1 trip by themselve, next trip with puppy trainer do that for awhile. IMO do not put lightly started pup in pack to early it might blow them up. be consistant on praise and scolding. this is what ive dont for 30 years and not saying its the best method but it is a method that i use. great question and post. oh yea 1 pup at a time.