I feed, house, and furnish transportation to the woods for young dogs, after they show me they have and are willing to use all the tools necessary then I begin to teach them what not to do that's all the training mine get what they do has to be natural and relatively early. I am not going to wait around and fool with one until he is 2,3,4 yrs old to see if he is a good one even if I have culled some that would have made super stars. I do not want that slow starting have to wait and see stuff in my dogs. I usually start to haul one around 8 mths old, by the time I have taken him 10 times he better be with the program, by that I mean cowdogs except for handle you can't tell them from an old dog at a distance, for hog and bear dogs they better be making the huge majority of races to the end, my 10 times will not be 10 days in a row for one that is not doing well but every week or two, if he is doing well I'll take him every time. Some of them don't get 10 times if I see a problem that I deem lack of proper instinct. Not to say it is the right way nor the only way just my way. I don't have any with the "2 yr old blues" either, they can level off at times but they better not go backwards. I have been at it a long time and still get culls but through the years the percentages of good useable dogs or better has been pretty good comparibly. I fear the folks that never have a cull or have to train one for what he is supposed to do.
Great Post Old Man. I believe you and I offer Joshg two good perspectives. I’m a weekend warrior with less years in the game. I don’t have my own established line of dogs. I take in a few pups from fellow hunters every other year or so. I’m sure you breed your own from your line as needed. You know what to look for from that line of dogs. I probably wouldn’t be as patient if I had regular access to other prospects from a line of dogs that I liked.
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I also notice that our posts validate and support Mike’s point about everyone being a little different as well as Judge’s post about giving a dog a little more time if you ain’t breeding much and/or like the dog.
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Appreciate the good conversation!
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