UKC Forums (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/index.php)
- UKC Coonhounds (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=4)
-- In your opinion, and why? (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthread.php?threadid=928506560)

In your opinion, and why?

When do you think is the best time to get a pup? In the terms of being able to train him.
I got a pup on January with the thought process that once I and him running drags and a few roll cages that kits would hit the ground and there would be plenty of quarry. I know think that there may just be too much scent around confusing the dog. What is your thoughts/opinions/experience/preference and why?

__________________
Kaskaskia River Runners

Iraq War Vet 03-04, 05-06
RECON
618-410-3034

I prefer JAN -APR pups but it does not always work out that way. JMHO and S/FI

The why is I can mess with them all year squirrel hunt them a little bit maybe get them in on a few hot tracks cornfield races etc. teach them basic obedience and some controlled trash breaking if required etc. and by season they should be old enough and mature enough to hunt the hair off them and the last month of season hunting them by themselves. again jmho

__________________
The more laws a nation has the more corrupt the nation.

When the law of the land becomes unjust outlaws will rise to take their place in history.

i feel the best time to get a pup is when you can put some time into him. doesn't matter what time of the year. the pup may be ready to get started at 6 months old or it may be a year so it can be hard to guess what would be the best time other than whenever ya put the time into them. i always prefer to have 2 young dogs at a time to keep me busy but 1 may be enough at a time, sometimes.

You never know at what age any pup is going to be mature enough to start. Some you can start fooling with at 6 months and some are 11-12 mos before they are mature enough. So the best time to get a pup is when you find the right bred one that you are looking for. Then tailor your training to fit that pup. Don't try to make a pup fit your training timing or methods. Time your training to fit the pup.

richard said it better than me but that's what i was trying to say

So a male pup, 8 months old, not wanting to leave my side is just a waiting game. Trying all I can to get him to go. I read about some dogs running on their own at 1 year old. Just feel mine is behind the curve. What do you guys with more experience feel is a "normal" age for pups to start hunting?

__________________
Kaskaskia River Runners

Iraq War Vet 03-04, 05-06
RECON
618-410-3034

What's a good way to determine when your pup is mature enough. I'm in the process of training my very first pups. 2 of em. I want to avoid ruining them if I can so I'll take all the advice I can get.

Like everyone stated, there is no set time. Some words of wisdom is that it’s going to be difficult for you to train 2 pups. It being your first attempt, you might want to think about choosing one to move forward with and getting rid of one of them. I’m not saying that you can’t achieve success with 2 but it’s not an easy road with 1 pup much less 2 at the same time. For them to be doing it on their own at a year old means countless hours of hunting them alone and that’s a lot of hard hunting if you’ve got 2.

Another thing to remember is take everything you hear and especially read with a grain of salt. I have been discouraged with a pups progress before when I heard of all the great and wonderful things it’s littermate’s were already doing. After going and hunting with the other littermates I found that they were no further along and some were even behind my own pup. But, that is not how their owners portray them.

Finally, don’t be easily discouraged. It’s a long hard road to the finished product and you will have something you can be proud of. Not because it’s made the best dog in the world(maybe yours will be), but proud that you stuck to it and all the blood, sweat, and tears will have payed off in a finished product you can enjoy for whatever it has become! Good luck and have fun

__________________
Mountain bred hogs require Mountain
bred dogs.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Squatch308
So a male pup, 8 months old, not wanting to leave my side is just a waiting game.

---

__________________
Paul Frederick
319-371-6362

Just me but I wouldn't hunt 2 pups together. It's double trouble.

I would not ever mess with a pup on a cage coon more than once or twice and that would be it.

__________________
The more laws a nation has the more corrupt the nation.

When the law of the land becomes unjust outlaws will rise to take their place in history.