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No interest in squirrels?

Today while walking my 5.5 month red dog in the woods, i saw him walk over a red hot squirrel trail (I saw it on the ground) and pay very little attention to it. Every day i see him trailing them but he takes his time. He rears up on a few trees but doesn’t seem excited by squirrel scent. I never saw a coonhound pup with no interest in squirrels. Is he bred to be a straight cooner and just not interested in other game? Too young? Or should I just shoot him?

Re: No interest in squirrels?

quote:

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Originally posted by HuckFinn
Today while walking my 5.5 month red dog in the woods, i saw him walk over a red hot squirrel trail (I saw it on the ground) and pay very little attention to it. Every day i see him trailing them but he takes his time. He rears up on a few trees but doesn’t seem excited by squirrel scent. I never saw a coonhound pup with no interest in squirrels. Is he bred to be a straight cooner and just not interested in other game? Too young? Or should I just shoot him?

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I don't run scared, I run to scare!

They will run one a lot better on their own verses one you jumped. Have seen it many times a person try and turn loose on one off the side of the road to only run it the wrong way or not even smell it.

i'VE HAD PLENTY OF PUPS WHO NEVER WERE INTERESTED IN SQUIRRELS and made good coon dogs.

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Bill Harper
Washington, NC
252-944-5592

I hunt my dawgs on squirrel and coon. I have never worked a dog that showed equal interest on both. They always show an early preference to one or the other.

Unless you want it to be a squirrel dog I wouldnt worry at all. I've trained a ton of pups here on the ranch. Most of them get to run loose until they start getting into trouble. Very few have ever showed any interest in squirrel. Although , one of the best dogs I ever had did. Go figure!

HuckFinn

Thanks for responses. He's the same with deer. Winds them and seems a little curious but not excited. I'll be tickled if he has no interests but coon. A little early to show a caged coon. BTW, I recon this pup is 2-3 months from seeing a caged coon but I want him comfortable with the woods. It gets boring just walking thru the trees. Should i show him a caged squirrel and get him treeing them for my entertainment and his? Or would I regret this later when I want him only after coons?

Seems to me you need to figure out if YOU want your dog to be a coon hunter or a squirrel hunter. When you decide then stick with it

Some pups are naturally straight on coon. I wouldn't worry about it.

I have started many hound pups on squirrels. Some I broke off of squirrels, some quit after getting some coon, some were good on both ways. As for just going squirrel hunting or coon hunting, following a good tree dog on squirrel or coon, is great fun and I have spent a lifetime doing both.

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Dave Haugh

LAKELAND KENNELS
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English Coonhounds
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Gr Ch Lakeland's Phoebe
PKC Sq Ch Lakeland's Mini Mouse
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Mt Curs
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Ch SqCh Lakeland's Lucy
SqCh Lakeland's Goldie
SqCh Lakeland's Kate
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Beagles
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Dual GrCh Blank's Midnight
GrCh HBCh Lakeland's Cricket II

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Well, mainly, I'm bored. Don't have a hound to hunt while my pup is maturing. So I'm thinking a little squirrel action would make the little hikes more fun. Once I start him on coons, he won't won't be out in daylight. I've never had any trouble with a hound getting after squirrels at night. One more thought. I don't like tight-mouth dogs. About what age do you expect your pups to sound off on trail? Thanks, gents.