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6 Month Old Bluetick In Training

Hey everybody! I have a 6 month old bluetick and she's doing great in training - she's having no problems tracking or treeing, but she doesn't bark when she strikes a trail. I know that she's still young and that it will take time, but is there anything that I can do to help her with this? I am training her alone right now. Would hunting her with finished dogs do any good for this? I know people have different opinions on hunting puppies with older dogs, but this is the first pup I've trained. I need some help!

One more question... she's a stunning pup and I would like to enter her into the bench show in the SC state hunt coming up in March. Can you give me some advice on bench show training? She's just full of energy and won't be still on the stand.

Thanks for your help!

Oh yeah, if y'all will let me know what you think about my pup, I'll post some pictures of her. I just like to hear comments!

Erin
Darlington, SC

Oh yeah, I forget to tell you guys something about her. We were working her on a coon in a round cage up a tree yesterday and counted 111 barks in a minute! That's pretty good for a 6 month old isn't it? She made me proud yesterday!

It's great to hear your pride and enthusiasm about your pup. I'm glad that she is doing well for you! How long have you been hunting her alone and at night? I think it would help a lot to take her with a finished hound that was gentle with pups. It would show her to open on track. Also be sure not to over-do it with her. About one drop a night for about 2-3 nights a week would be enough for a 6 month old. If she seems to be going along really good you could probably take her more. You dont want to burn her out. Good luck with her in the woods!

Now for on the bench....Exercise her A LOT every day before you put her on the bench. If you say she is very energetic, take her on long walks to the woods to get some of the energy out. Work with her on the bench for about 15 minutes a couple times a day, every day, and she should start to be good and act more calm. Use a few treats here or there. Touch her all over her body when she is on the bench. Whenever she is used to being up there with you touching her, start moving her feet and legs around and getting her set up properly. Also, work her with a choke chain and gait her properly every day. This is an important part in bench showing. Once she can do all these things fairly calmly, start adding distractions while you are working with her. Such as music, other people, other dogs, anything. You have plenty of time before you want to show her so she should do quite well on the big day if you work with her a lot.

All of this stuff means that she needs time spent with her every day. You seem like you are quite devoted to her. Good luck with her and let us know how she is doing!

__________________
Danielle Haney
UKC Licensed Bench Show Judge

Home of:
CH Crystal Springs Dear Darla
Crystal Creeks Dizzy Spell

Proud Handler of:
GRNITECH CH PR Jamie's Trashy Big John
NITECH PR Lifeways Fire Cracker

In Fond Memory of:
NITECH CH PR Jamie's Trashy Hightech Redneck
GRNITECH GRCH PR Morgan's Losses Hills Dawn
GRCH PR Wilkinson's Jebb
NITECH CH PR Gimme Three Steps Mister

P.S. I would love to see some pics of her!

__________________
Danielle Haney
UKC Licensed Bench Show Judge

Home of:
CH Crystal Springs Dear Darla
Crystal Creeks Dizzy Spell

Proud Handler of:
GRNITECH CH PR Jamie's Trashy Big John
NITECH PR Lifeways Fire Cracker

In Fond Memory of:
NITECH CH PR Jamie's Trashy Hightech Redneck
GRNITECH GRCH PR Morgan's Losses Hills Dawn
GRCH PR Wilkinson's Jebb
NITECH CH PR Gimme Three Steps Mister

hey

maybe this pup will be a silent track dog, ive had many of them

__________________
James

I think you have something to be proud of. She sure sounds like a nice one. Here is my 2 cents, I would not worry about her opening on track so much right now. It will happen with time in the woods. I would be very pleased that she is showing treeing instinct. I believe that every hound can track to an extent, but not all are born with strong treeing instinct. I want a natural on the tree. I do not want to have to teach a dog to "tree". I believe that should be natural. Also, give her time. Just like with kids, each hound matures differently. Do not rush her to do anything. If she has it, it will come with time. The best thing is that you are excited with her and are giving her a chance. Good luck with her!!

Ken

reply

sounds like you have something to be very proud of. from my expirience, some of my dogs wouldnt bark at a track i made with the coon, try turning the coon loose infront of her. also a lot of younger pups wont bark on a track, but if the track is pretty long she would probably bark more.

__________________
God is my rock and my sheild, and my high tower, in him will i trust.

midnightbluekennels@yahoo.com

(706)889-5083

Here's a picture of her at 2 1/2 months. That's the only one I have on my PC at work, but I'll post some better ones tonight. I bet she misses the inside of a house.... she certainly will never see mine again!

Thanks for the advice from everyone!

Erin

pup

good looking pup!

__________________
God is my rock and my sheild, and my high tower, in him will i trust.

midnightbluekennels@yahoo.com

(706)889-5083