UKC Forums (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/index.php)
- UKC Coonhounds (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=4)
-- When to start hunting playful pups? (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthread.php?threadid=132591)

When to start hunting playful pups?

I would like some input on when a pup is mature enough to really start working coon. I have a 7 month old plott female who is really playful. I've been holding back on really working her, ie.. showing her alot of coon because her attention span is very short. I play a lot of games with her dragging toys around the yard and pulling them up trees. She naturally hits the tree but doesn't stay long. I've just been keeping things fun for right now. At 5 1/2 months I showed her one caged coon and she was real interested for about a minute. Then it was back to playing with her favorite toy, the garden watering can. I have heard that many people wait till they are a year old. Reba is 7 months old now and I've taken her out with older dogs once and she seemed to start getting the hang of running with the other dogs. I have not pushed her up to this point and would like some ideas of where to go from here. Thanks.

Even though you are very tempted to, I think in Reba's case it would be best to wait until she hits 1 year. If she has what it takes now, she will still have it then. She sounds like she still has a ton of pup in her and has a lot of energy. I would start taking her at 11 or 12 months with the old dogs and see how she does. If she goes hunting and not playing then keep taking her. I'm no expert this is just my opinion. It would be like taking a 2 year old baby to 1st grade....Good luck!

__________________
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

My last pup was a year old when I started her, and she's doing a nice job.

__________________
jeff j

I see no problem now with taking her by herself.Dont take anything for her to play with.Just you and her.

these pics tell my story, none of this was forced and some of it was a total accident...truth is that some pups are ready for drags @ 3 months and live coons @ 5 months some arent...i start mine on dog food drags as early as I can!! 2-3 months old to teach them to trail!!! I start them on dead coons as soon as they show interest....I start them when they want...i just provide lots of opportunity for them!! My pups are mostly raised running loose at the house and I can tell a huge difference on how fast they mature....

these pics are all of the same pup!!!

I was messing with older pups on these and couldnt keep him away!!!!






He woke me up from bed on this one!!!


Young coon on a string here!!!


It all ='s this @ 8 months old now!!!







needless to say most dont start this age but I have almost all of mine running and treeing dead drag coons between 4-6 months old. I want them to know how to run and tree before I take them to the woods!! Makes for independent pups!!!

quote:

---

Originally posted by GA DAWG
I see no problem now with taking her by herself.Dont take anything for her to play with.Just you and her.

---

__________________
The fun is over once you pull the trigger

Ron Ashbaugh
CROOKED FOOT KENNELS