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Tree happy pup

Need a little advice on how to handle a 12 month old that is way way tree minded. He leaves the tailgate checking trees. If another dog checks a tree he'll blow up on it. I've switched him when its obvious that he is slick but now with the trees full of leaves and not being able to know if the tree is slick then what to do? Thats my question. Should I put off hunting him until winter when there are no leaves on the trees so I can tear his but up when he is slick?

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Richard Register

I've never had any luck whipping accuracy into one. If a pup starts to miss regularly, I'll walk in, give the tree a quick, thorough look, and if its slick I'll walk off without saying a word. As I leave I'll tone them off, or lightly shock them off, but not enough to hurt their feelings or shut them down. Some of it is bred in and can't be fixed, but lots of pups figure out that you like trees so they show you a bunch, lol. Just gotta explain in a way they understand that you only have interest in trees with coons in them.

Tree happy pup

Thanks. Thats pretty much what i do, plus a little switching. This time of the year in my area you can't just walk in and chech the tree because the trees are huge and full of leaves. So do I wait 6 months until the trees shed their leaves so you'll know if he's slick. I'm afraid if I hunt him now with all the foliage on the trees he'll be getting away with it to often and then he'll be screwed up for sure.

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Richard Register

Tree happy

As have been stated many times each hound is different but maturation may solve some issues. I would not completely shut the hound down. I have a young hound that as a one year old last September was missing consistently. This spring the last 15 trees I have seen 14 coon. I did not do anything special. I just continued to hunt her mostly by herself and praised and pet her when she had the coon. If slick I simply leashed her and went on.

Tree Happy

Thanks Stosh. I have been wondering if a little maturity might help. Also not really doing anything different helps to know too.

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Richard Register