Registered: Jun 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 148

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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Registered: Apr 2006
Location:
Posts: 6548

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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Registered: Sep 2012
Location: Coldwater Mississippi
Posts: 566

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.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Washington, NC
Posts: 3315

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

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Bill Harper
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Registered: Nov 2005
Location:
Posts: 587

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.

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Registered: Dec 2004
Location: waco, tx
Posts: 646

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!

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Registered: Jun 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 148

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?

Last edited by HuckFinn on 10-24-2012 at 06:04 AM

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Registered: Dec 2004
Location: waco, tx
Posts: 646

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

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Registered: Jan 2009
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 2814

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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Registered: Jun 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 148

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.

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