Help with training 10 week old pups

[seaverv]

I've been training my pups with a bear scent. Is there any other way to train pups? I would really appreciate if you guys would tell me your style. Plus I new to hound hunting. Thanks alot.

[ferjr]

i bought two pups that were 11 weeks old. i imediately started working with them, i had a bear hide in the freezer that i pulled out and cut off one of the feet. i took the foot and tied a rope on it and started teasing them with it and letting them chew on it, i then got them where they would chase me arround the yard with it, i did this everyday with them. after a little while they would go crazy by the sight and by the scent of it, i then would take it and do short little drags arround my yard with it, ending the drags by hanging it up out of there reach but close enough they could almost reach it, that way they wouldnt lose interest in it. they got real good at finding it and would go crazy trying to get to it. i did this everyday and after awhile it wasnt a challenge for them so i started taken them out with my older dogs and let them watch the older dogs strike off the truck and run. at 4 months i finally walked them back to there first tree so they could see the fun the older dogs were having, they joined right in, treeing like they were pros. i think next spring they will be ready to turn out with my other dogs, they are doing really good. this is my first attempt at training my own pups, but in my opinion, i think have done a pretty good job. just work with those pups every chance you can! i tried the store bought scents, pups played with it but after showing it to my older dogs, the older dogs did nothing, they payed it no mind, when they smell a real bear hide they come unglued, i came to the conclusion those store bought scents arent worth a dam, they deffinietly dont smell like the real thing.


Good luck with those pups!! Frank Reinhardt jr.

[seaverv]

Thanks for the tip I will try doing that.

[Unreal_tk]

I'd start with scents whatever kind you like. Progress to a new level each time. Always end on a good note. Not all pups take off early but even if they don't now is great time to work on basics of staying and sitting and training them to ride with you.

[powderhorn]

You may get ahead of yourself if you do too much too soon. Make sure to let them be puppies right now. What they do or don't do as far as training goes doesn't mean a whole lot right now.. its ok to play games and have fun with them, but keep it simple. Now is a great time to work on "sit" & "stay" and let them get a handle on who is in charge. You'll know when they're ready to get more serious.. I usually wait until a pup is at least 5-6months old.

[seaverv]

My pups already knows how to sit and stay. I usually train them for about 30-45 minutes before i feed them just to get them excited. I don't know if that's an good idea but it's working for me right now. Thanks for your advice though.

[yeager]

Seaverv,
where you located in California? What type of hounds you have, can you post some photos of them...
Try also to join a few local clubs in your area and become a member of CHC, California Houndsman for Conservation
http://californiahoundsmen.com/index.html

You will need to buy some gear, etc. do you have a dog box? if so, take them out daily and let them know its fun to be in the box. Can't get enough exposure in your local streams and woods, they enjoy smelling all the new scents out there.

Also kinda important how do you call your dogs to you? I know lots of folks use different methods Hoot and Hollaring, Car horn, Shooting a gun or a Cow Horn.

I myself use a Cow Horn, the sound travels far and they really respond to it. I started them on the Horn when they were pups, I gave them slices of weiners each time I blew the Horn. Works for me...

Good Luck, and welcome to the Hound community...
Yeager

[seaverv]

Hey there yeager.
I'm from Fresno. I will be posting some pics of my hounds up pretty soon. And right now I don't have a dog box or gears yet. I'm in the process of looking for gears and dog box. i don't know if there's in club in fresno or near by. if there is anymore more advice you can give me will be helpful. I am new to hound hunting. And where are you located?

[yeager]

Seaverv, i live in northern ca placer county. The only other advice would be is teach your pup to lead and tie her down on stakes to get her use to a leash. Sounds like your already training your pup with obedience. So enjoy your pup and let him run and gain confidence in the woods.
Good luck,
Yeager

[seaverv]

I have been doing that with my pups already. They are pretty calm when on the leash. Today was the first time that I took them out to the woods. At first they were kind of scared and just stay with me. After about 30 minutes they went on there own sniffing up the new scents and when I called them, they came back right away. Thanks.

[yeager]

Severv,
Glad to hear you having fun with your pups but most importantly, make sure your pups have their shots for parvo completed before venturing them out.
Have fun,
Yeager

[seaverv]

Thanks for telling me that. I'll need to get them the parvo shots then.