Registered: Jan 2009
Location:
Posts: 14

I have two UKC-PKC Walker pups that are 4 monts old and need info on how to start working with them. I have no older dogs to run them with. I have been working with them on the lead and sitting on my comand. How do i get them started on coons? Do the trailing sents work? Will a coon hide work? I need all the help i can get.

Thanks, Bob

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Registered: Oct 2007
Location: Greenfield, Indiana
Posts: 120

order the "Tree my dog" video from Wesley Sanford. He's the owner of the Elvis dog. I followed his instructions very close and my pup was treeing on a drag at 5 months old. He could find it 99/100 times and tree it without seeing the coon. He starting running tracks at 6 months old and would tree with other dogs. He treed his own coon at 11 months old all alone. He is now a very nice young dog.

I let the pups play with an old shirt or toy with coonscent rubbed all over it. Then I feed them. Sanford says, 'a dog will work for it's belly just like police dogs.' I tried this method and it works. I used treats to teach my dog to sit, load, and come. Every time he checked in while we were hunting I gave him a small treat. Every time he treed a coon out of season I gave him a treat. It worked like a charm.

When your pups are about 8 months old set a live trap and catch a coon. let them see the coon and put them back in the box. Turn the coon lose and let it get away. Put the cage away so they can't mess with the empty cage. Then turn one pup loose at a time and see if they can find the coon. Never work pups together. Seperate them. It's best to work a young pup on a cage coon with an older dog. It will build their confidence.

most importantly; don't get discouraged if your pup's not treeing when it's under 10 or 12 months old. Give him enough time to grow up. I think so many coon hunters throw in the towel way too soon on most pups.

Good luck. Hope they turn out. Remember; 80% of our coonhounds don't make it to be coon dogs!!

in Christ::

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james moore

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Registered: Jan 2009
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Posts: 14

Thanks, James
I got my work cut out for me with 2 pups.

Bob

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Registered: Jan 2009
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Posts: 14

Any other tips or tricks on getting my pups started?
Come on guys, im new to coon hunting and need all the help and info i can get.

Bob

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Los Angeles, MN
Posts: 4236

There are no tricks...just worn out knees, bootleather, blood and sweat.

Training 2 pups is a tall order, even for an experienced trainer.

Training is a complex subject, your best bet is to get some books on the subject.

Good luck.

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Registered: Jan 2009
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Thanks, Josh
I found a guy that has two dogs and is going to give me help with the pups. I have the "Tree my dog"" DVD on its way.

Bob

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Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Mercer PA
Posts: 4837

Bob:

Josh is right there really are no tricks. A lot of what will become of your pups was determined before you ever got them. I would not waste my time with drags, hides and scents. Raise your pups till they are around 8-10 months old, and get a coon in a live trap. Expose them to it one at a time. See what they do. If they go crazy, put the dog away, cut the coon loose and have someone see where it climbs up, then, GET RID OF THE CAGE, and turn the pup back loose and see what it does. IF it is able to locate the tree even for a couple seconds get on the pup and praise it. Shooting the coon down at this point isn't a bad idea either.

Personally I would go through this 6 or 8 times with each pup, decide which one I liked and get rid of the other. Start taking that pup out in good coon populated spots when the weather is decent and they have a good chance of striking a track. The rest, as Josh said is all blood, sweat, and tears. Mostly tears when after a year of taking the dog out you find out it doesn't have what it takes......but thats a whole different story. Enjoy the ride, stick to basic principles and keep at it.

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Ron Ashbaugh
CROOKED FOOT KENNELS

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Registered: Jan 2009
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Thanks, Ron

I dont know alot about blood lines, but i was told they were out of good blood.
The sire is Rock River Gap and the Dam i cant think of thr full name,but it is something Ridge Dasie Duke.

Bob

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Registered: May 2008
Location: Sheridan Mi
Posts: 540

I been training a red bone male he is now alost 14 months, my advice would be get a live trap and set it front of them with a coon in it and see there reaction,

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Registered: Aug 2006
Location: Berlin Center,Oh
Posts: 2424

There is no better time than now to start getting the pup use to hauling in a dogbox before he gets much older. Teach to load. To many times a young hound is never been in a dogbox and is expected to not get nervous or sick when hauled for the first time. Don't wait till you are ready to turn a coon loose for him and you'll be one step ahead. Get that part done now!!I have seen with my own eyes to many times guys load up pups to take them hunting for the first time and the pup won't come out and alot of them just reach in and grab the pup by the collar and drag the pup out and scare the heck out of him and then expect him to perform. Big mistake you don't want to make if ya can avoid it!! Time and consistancy will give ya good results at the end if they have what it takes. Not all do!! Good luck with him!!

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Danny G

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Registered: Jan 2009
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Thanks, Guys
I will have to get a cage coon and see what they do.
I have been working with them on the lead and getting them to sit, come, and stay. They both do real good with what i ask of them. I have not started working with them yet on loading. That is my next step.

Bob

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