Ive been pondering my brain for something for hunter to do, I've thought of cyote hunting, bird hunting, agility, obedience, almost everything. We tried the agility and he was afraid of the equipment and wouldn't go near it and nothing was going to change his mind, the cyote hunting was voted down on here, and it isn't bird season so I haven't been able to test that theory. BUT, I found something Hunter actually enjoys doing which is safe... gopher hunting! He's pretty good at picking up there scent (well its all over the place), and he's even caught a few. We have found three mile by mile areas that we have gotten permission to "hunt" on, and the farmer made us a deal for so that every dead gopher Hunter brings to him we get $10. Well this is great in theory but lately hunters recall isn't so great, I know you guys have told me that hounds usually don't have good recall and I understand this, but when we first started it was great, now he sticks his nose to the ground and doesn't come back until I've caught him or he's caught a gopher, this would be okay except every mile we have to cross a road (and who knows what else is out there that could hurt him)... Ive tried the long leashes but that just ends up ripping or getting tangled, for a 70 pound dog he has A lot of strength, Im looking for a long leash that won't rip under his strength, and possibly a heavier built one (not one of the thin ribbon like ones, but one more like... a horse lead) so that it doesn't get tangled in the long weeds but will just pull through. Any suggestion on what sort leash to use? Ive looked around and couldn't seem to find any that fit our needs, so Im looking to get one online, so if you could direct me to a site that might help me find what Im needing that would be great!

Also thought I would update you guys on what Hunter and I are doing since you were all very concerned about him.

Well, this is where training becomes an issue. If you don't have the proper techniques/equipment you're not going to get much accomplished.

A check cord, which is a long piece of rope will come in handy. You tie it to the dog and PRACTICE recalls.. However, if Hunter is smart, he'll know when he's tied and when he's not so this may or may not be a solution for you.

Another way, which is more expensive then 100 ft of rope, would be the e-collar. You still need to train him properly and get a solid recall down. E-collars are used all the time with hunting dogs. I would suggest to talk to someone who trains with e-collars before purchasing one or using one on your dog. They are as useful as you want it to be but can turn to abuse very quickly.

An E-collar is probably going to work the best for your situation. Hunting dogs *all hunting dogs* have a mind of their own. Hounds are worse then bird dogs.. and the fact he is a mix makes things a bit more complicated.

Those are my suggestions.

Sorry Lucky, but by an e collar are you talking about an electric shock collar?

Yes.. E-collar = Electric collar.

I use horse leashes with Lady when I was training her with recall. Also the cords that people use to tie their dogs up out side with the clip taken off one end and a sort of handle fashioned to it work amazing for bdogs in the bush, as long as you make sure he is not using a choke collar. Will you be chasing the lead or keeping your hands on it at all times? There second, fourth and fifth leashes on this website Check Cords & Dog Tie-outs. were the ones I was thinking of.

I'm going to interject a word of caution - if someone is putting out poison for the gophers and your dog kills one you could have a very sick dog on your hands.

How do you call your dog back? My husband uses a whistle and the dog responds better than voice.

I don't like electric collars - I had a bad experience with my dogs and an electric, underground fence. Unless your trainer knows what he/she is doing and teaches you well these are dangerous and, as said, can become abusive very quickly.

Ive talked to most the farmers in the area and they haven't put out any type of poison. I told them what we were doing and some granted permission and some did not, but they all agreed to inform me if they were putting out any type of poision or traps, and that's in a 6 mile by 6 mile radius, and I don't think gophers would travel that far (Maybe Im wrong?). Personally I'd rather not use a shock collar, and Hunter doesn't seem to mind(respond, whatever you want to call it) pain (He sprained his ankle awhile back and would run and yelp at the same time just to play, he wouldn't take it easy).

Hunter use to come back to me just calling his name and saying come, now I bribe him with treats, I call him and then shake his bag of treats, this did work.. and now not so much. (he seems to have caught on that he gets a lot more praise when he brings me a gopher than when he just comes on call.. maybe I will work on that as well)

I will definantly be holding the leash, Hunter can run pretty fast when he wants to and I wouldn't want to risk him getting away with a leash attached, that would probably be worse than if he just took off.

Thanks Bella, I'll check into that site!

Laughing - maybe you should keep a supply of gophers in a bag and shake THAT to get him to come.

... Well, if you don't want to use an e-collar, which is much more different then a self inflicted wound, then I would suggest, before you start hunting him, get a recall down. The type where they drop the dishes and run. I have seen a very select group of bird dogs that will do that without a leash, whistle or any other type of device. That took a long time for that to be accomplished and a very strong bond created.

A check cord is a very light piece of rope. You can make it as long as you want. You don't want a heavy duty rope on them when you're training. Your ultimate goal is to have him come back without a rope around his neck. I've trained my dog that way too. I also used the whistle and every time they came back they got a huge reward.

You're just going to have to work with your dog. It might be easy, it might not. You might need some extra help, you might not.

I still think you need a professional trainer to help you who specializes in hunting with a hound in order to get him to do what you want.

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha Judy, you just made my entire month!

And Lucky, Ill work on the recall and look into people who hunt with hounds, but I really haven't heard of anyone in the area...

My mums Basset hunts snails does that count as hunting experience?

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Originally Posted by shazamataz

My mums Basset hunts snails does that count as hunting experience?

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Only if she has to climb a tree to get to the snails.