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Post by yotetrap13152 on Dec 29, 2014 9:52:50 GMT -5
I just recently adopted a ukc english coonhound pup.10 weeks old.I was hoping to at least get him started on coons this season.the man I got the pup from said he dont start his dogs until 4-5 months old bc it can scare them.is that true? Is there anything I can do at ten weeks old to at least get him started for next year? Thanks for the help.
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Post by kirkwooder on Dec 29, 2014 14:08:47 GMT -5
Start by getting yourself a copy of "Walk with Wick"! Buy, beg, barrow or steel it, but get it!
Then, don't throw your 10 week old pup on a live coon! LoL Get it chasing a toy, then move up to hiding the toy and making the dog use it's nose to find it. Make it all a game and never punish it for not doing what you want, instead reward it for doing what you want it to do.
Keep a coon pelt in your freezer and once the dog gets a bit older and is showing real interest in the games you play, introduce the coon pelt into the game. Get the dog to chase you while you are dragging the pelt on the ground. Then, hang the pelt on a rope in a tree and get your dog to tree it.
Finally, make the move to the woods and live coon. Find a spot you know that holds coon and has good sign, by good sign I mean some place you know there is coon. You want to actually see coons, their scat, denning activity, feeding, etc. and get the dog as much time as you can possibly afford in the woods.
It is a huge responsibility and a ton of work to make a good hound! Remember to keep your cool at all times. Keep it fun for both you and the dog. There is nothing like the feeling you will get when your dog trees all on his own for the very first time.
Good Luck!
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Post by yotetrap13152 on Dec 31, 2014 20:24:34 GMT -5
Thank you kirkwood! Can I rub some of his favorite toys on a fresh killed coon and let him smell that and play eith that? Or is he still to young for that? Also what is the easiest way to start breaking him in with 22 shot noise without scaring him?
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Post by kirkwooder on Dec 31, 2014 21:08:16 GMT -5
It certainly wouldn't hurt to introduce coon sent to him.
To introduce him to the shot, start by making a lot of noise and banging his dish when you feed him. I started shooting the first few coon out of the tree over the dog with low noise shells. I like the CCI .22 long shells, not long rifle but just long's. I've never done much more than that, other than to make sure that your dog is way more interested in the coon in the tree than they are about you and the noise that your gun is making. I even get my dogs to come back to me when they are being unruly by taking a shot with the .22. Now when they hear the shot they think that there will be a coon falling from the sky and they better get there if they want to get a taste of fur. lol
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Post by yotetrap13152 on Jan 4, 2015 21:17:12 GMT -5
Will it be easier or harder to train him if I get him neutered?
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Post by kirkwooder on Jan 4, 2015 21:59:06 GMT -5
That all depends on who you ask. LoL I honestly don't think it matters. However, if you end up with a really good dog, and you neutered him young, you have no chance at breeding him. I leave all my males in tact, I feel like if it were me I would want my owner to let me keep mine!
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