What age to Start a Catch Dog?

Teaspoon sounds like a nice young dog. I agree with all the advice given so far with one exception but I only half disagree with it. It's the taking him to the woods but not letting him catch. If you aren't going to be able to stay back with him and train him while your partners dispatch the hog then leave him at home. Shotgun is right, it will likely make him impatient and the whinny stuff worse. But, if you can let others handle the situation at hand while you spend time training him, it will pay off when the real time gets there. I have taken mine and walked them in just like I would if they were going to be sent in. When the catch dogs were sent in and they get excited about the fight, I pet them then turn them away and walk telling them caught hog. I stop when the commotion stops. I make them sit and listen. If they are quiet and paying attention I praise them. If they aren't I talk to them and redirect their attention again until they are listening quietly. Then I will walk them in to the dead hog and usually let them ear it. I know their teeth aren't set well enough for catching, but in my opinion this isn't the same as a live hog that's fighting and giving resistance. It allows me to try and control one animal and not 2. Second, a mad hog isn't keeping him stirred up when I get him off the ear and he's a lot more ok with letting go because the challenge is gone. Plus, if should do any regripping type stuff I can get him back right away. I think this sometimes helps teach them that if they want to have their mouth on a hog to get a secure hold right off or they aren't gonna get a chance. Same thing with ear grooming, go to the ear or get off. This has worked for me but it is time consuming. But that's what's fun to me, watching young dogs get better.