Registered: Jul 2010
Location:
Posts: 58

Got a question picked up a 15 month old male a few weeks ago have had him out a few times and I am noticing that when he goes out he seems to be following exat same path back, don't like it. He wasn't messed with much or maybe he was and thats why I got him. Anyway just curious if he will start coming straight back or will always back track himself? Thanks!

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Registered: Oct 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2633

Not real sure that's "homing"...homing is being away from a very familiar place {home} and somehow knowing almost like instinct which way to head to get back there. Trailing himself out at that age is not too bad of a thing to me. I get that it's aggravating to you but it really sounds like this young dog is comfortable going off by himself and is just getting his confidence up.
Are you not liking this because he trails himself while you know he has to hear you calling for him??? Even that at his age {I don't know how many times he's been in the woods} to me isn't all that bad. I think I am maybe looking at it like as opposed to what??? If he wasn't smart enough to know he can find his way back by trailing himself he might be like a lot of young dogs just getting started and not leave your side or not hunt out near as much as you would like. Or maybe having a dog so godforsaken stupid that he not only don't know he should be hunting out but he aint likely to care in the next year.
If it really bothers you that bad I would suggest you spend some time running him during the day in familiar woods and see if he gets to where he maybe feels like he don't have to do that any more..{confidence up} I suspect this dog is probably "smarter than the average bear" and you might find he quickly realizes that he don't have to do this all the time. It is handy to have a dog do this sometimes, especially if he turns out to be a big ranging type. More than a few times I have had to leave my coat in the woods only to find my dog asleep there the next morning. He wouldn't have found the coat if he couldn't trail himself. Of course with some of those dogs I might have been better off if they hadn't!!!

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Registered: Jul 2010
Location:
Posts: 58

I know not true homing but....... Anyway I know he's smart he has showed me his intelligence more than a few times since he has been here. Oh and have only had him out in the day, just can't say I have ever noticed one of my hounds back tracking himself to where he started trailing something. I say trailing something but not opening or anything just finds something interesting and leaves my side to maybe 1/4 mile or so then loses it or what have you and heads back no calling him and just takes his back track, not like most hounds I have had that it's over or I call em in and they just take most direct root to truck house or last place they saw me (use to do alot of walk hunting). Anyway Just thought I would ask. I like him, but it is something I wont put up with forever, but not something I am ready to give up on him yet. Thank you for your imput it has put my mind at ease. I debated starting this but............ Thanks!!!

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Registered: Jun 2007
Location: jacksonville, nc
Posts: 2856

i know what you're talking about. i have dogs that will only trail themselves back until they get older and will come to me where i call them. i also have dogs that will get lost and not come to me when i call them because they are just too scaired to come and i've had to go get them. both have grown out of it.

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Registered: Jul 2010
Location:
Posts: 58

Thank you!! Feeling much better about it. Thought he would, but better to hear than just think it.

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Registered: Mar 2013
Location: missouri
Posts: 282

You should feel lucky to have a dog that is smart enough to trail his way back to you..i have a friend that had a year old pup that would hunt really good but when he got way out and couldnt figure out how to get back he would just lay down and go to sleep and wait for my buddie to come get him lol

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Registered: Jul 2010
Location:
Posts: 58

I am glad he's smart enough to trail back. It's just I am use to hounds coming straight back shortest distance. And i'm sorry but if dog just lays down and go to sleep I am only going to retrieve collar and it can sleep there forever.

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Registered: Oct 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2633

quote:

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Originally posted by PSDF350
I am glad he's smart enough to trail back. It's just I am use to hounds coming straight back shortest distance. And i'm sorry but if dog just lays down and go to sleep I am only going to retrieve collar and it can sleep there forever.

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Registered: Mar 2013
Location: missouri
Posts: 282

I told him that very same thing MANY times but he stuck with him and turned out to be a fine hound but im like you guys i woulda never found out if he was going to make it or not?

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Registered: Jul 2010
Location:
Posts: 58

quote:

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Originally posted by msinc
Yep, I would find him the first time to get the collar back then he wouldn't have it on next turn out!!!
Reminds me of the dentist that said "I'd really like to save that tooth!!" O.K. Pull it out, put it in your pocket and keep it till the day you die.

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