[blutik72]

Got a question and would like some opinions and advice ....

I have 3 female pups about 6 months, I have heard several opinions on this, I have 4 older dogs running should I just run 1 pup at a time with the older dogs or drop all 3? I try to run them at least once during the work week besides the weekend but with my long work hrs almost impossible to run any more than that

 

[5 Solas]

Here's how I do it:
The more you can solo the young ones the better. When you start running them with other dogs, first take your slowest and truest running hound and brace them together (that is, run them as a duo). I try to run a pup solo at least 50% of the time. I hear you about being limited on your running because of work. I am in the same boat so I don't have the time to solo my derbies (first year hunters) as often as I need to. I would recommend you find a starting pen and pay somebody else to get them started for you. Most guys charge around $40-$80 a dog, depending on where you are and how long it takes them to get them going. You will get back a dog that can circle its own rabbit. Then you are over the hump.

With young pups it takes tons of tracks to get them started. A starting pen can get your dog started in as little as 2 weeks, then you can take it from there. I have started dogs before by just taking them out with my other hounds once a week and it can take months for them to start. If you can swing it, a starting pen is the way I would go.

At 6 months your dogs are probably ready to start. If you take them out with your pack and they start getting interested in a track but don't really go, that means they are probably ready.

I am always very careful about how much pressure I put on a young dog. I have a derby now that I have very big expectations for. She looks like she is going to be awesome, so I am super-babying her around my pack. I want to put a little pressure on her and get her to run with the big dogs and I hate leaving her at home, but too much pressure on a young pup will ruin a dog.

Biggest thing is, be patient with the young ones! They will drive you nuts acting like puppies and being goofy in the field. A lot of excitement to see how they turn out though!

Would like to see some pics of your pack and pups! Welcome to the forum!

 

[Spini Boys]

I put down one at a time with the older dogs. Once they start it just depends on the pup as to solo more or let run with the pack. This years pup was starting to dog track so had to pull her and run a brace and solo, but she is better now. Pups together seem to play more.

 

[marshall dillon]

IMO I would run 1 at a time .

My nephew did start taking both of his female puppies with us hunting when they were 5 months old the first week they played with each other . The second week one of them went with the pack when they jumped and hunted with them from then on and the third week the other one did the same , never at our feet again and they don’t play until they get in their pen . The one that went last was and is the lead dog when she was 2 years old . She is 3 now and hates a rabbit .

 

[Foxxy]

Take them out and walk around to see if they or you jump a rabbit, take them to the line and watch to see what they do. Do this 3-4 a week and also put the pup with your slowest rabbit dog you have and let them run together. At a starting pen they want the pup to start by itself and then a slow dog is added so the pup has to work and will stay with the slow dog. The slow dog will work the rabbit and the pup should mimic what the slow dog is doing. I have a 5 month old pup, today I took it and my UBFG female who is steady, slow to medium. Jumped a rabbit the pup came to the female who was barking put his nose down and smelled what she was barking at. This is the 6 time I have had him out and he did this today, showed some promise. 10 minutes later I watched him pick up a stick and run around with it. PUPPIES????