Post by jayb8008 on Aug 6, 2008 23:53:03 GMT -5
This past Sunday, I made a trip out to Ohio to pick up a pup from Joby (thanks again btw). He is a little black and tan mini doxie and is one of Bill Boler's pups. I will post pics when I am not at work. I am an Oakland Raider fan, and I wanted to name him Raider, but my wife wasn't very keen on it. I told her that I at least wanted the name to be Raider related and ran a list of names by her. She really liked Howie, so I guess that is ok, since he is one of my all time favorite Raiders. She is already acting like he is her little lap dog, but I haven't broken the news to her that from the 1st of October til the 31st of March, he is all mine! He can be hers all she wants when they are laying on the couch, but he's all mine when there's rabbits that need a killing!
I guess I will treat this kinda like a log and post pics and progress on how he's doing. My only problem is, I've never trained a hunting dog before, so I need/welcome all advice in this area. I have googled a lot, but it seems like most every article about starting a rabbit dog is geared towards beaglers. I have tried a few things already with him, and he seems to be doing great. I gave him a rabbits foot and he absolutely loves it! I have since been taking him, putting him in the kennel and letting him smell the foot and get all worked up. I then make a line with the foot and hide it on him and let him out. He has found it every time. Sometimes, he stays on the line the entire time, others he comes off but eventually gets back on.
I just tell him to get the bunny when he's looking, and then praise him like he just found me a million dollars when he finds it. I have only been hiding it about 15 feet at the most. I will slowly increase the distance, but he's still only 11 weeks. I am starting obedience training also. The biggest command I want to reinforce in him is the recall (come) and stay. Any pointers on how to do these?
I plan to start taking walks in the woods to, with the first possibly being tomorrow. If we are lucky enouh to find a rabbit, great! He is such a cute little puppy too. I never thought I would be into little dogs either. This one thinks he's a great dane though. He's always barking at everything, especially other, much bigger dogs as well as my Rt. He's always exploring around the house, and hasn't shown any fear towards anything I have exposed him to. He was out with me using the leaf blower and acted fine. I haven't had the heart to break it to him that he's as small as he is. Not sure if I could ever do that! I can't wait till he starts busting those bunnies for us. I will post a lot in here, so look back for updates soon.
I guess I will treat this kinda like a log and post pics and progress on how he's doing. My only problem is, I've never trained a hunting dog before, so I need/welcome all advice in this area. I have googled a lot, but it seems like most every article about starting a rabbit dog is geared towards beaglers. I have tried a few things already with him, and he seems to be doing great. I gave him a rabbits foot and he absolutely loves it! I have since been taking him, putting him in the kennel and letting him smell the foot and get all worked up. I then make a line with the foot and hide it on him and let him out. He has found it every time. Sometimes, he stays on the line the entire time, others he comes off but eventually gets back on.
I just tell him to get the bunny when he's looking, and then praise him like he just found me a million dollars when he finds it. I have only been hiding it about 15 feet at the most. I will slowly increase the distance, but he's still only 11 weeks. I am starting obedience training also. The biggest command I want to reinforce in him is the recall (come) and stay. Any pointers on how to do these?
I plan to start taking walks in the woods to, with the first possibly being tomorrow. If we are lucky enouh to find a rabbit, great! He is such a cute little puppy too. I never thought I would be into little dogs either. This one thinks he's a great dane though. He's always barking at everything, especially other, much bigger dogs as well as my Rt. He's always exploring around the house, and hasn't shown any fear towards anything I have exposed him to. He was out with me using the leaf blower and acted fine. I haven't had the heart to break it to him that he's as small as he is. Not sure if I could ever do that! I can't wait till he starts busting those bunnies for us. I will post a lot in here, so look back for updates soon.