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How Do You Break A Pup/dog From Chasing Deer?

1K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  mob 
#1 ·
My pup, Buster, is almost 11 months old. He is part Three Ki Beagle and part Lemon Beagle. We only got him to the woods to hunt bunnies four times. The first time out got him acquainted to the area. Second time, he done a lot of sniffing tracks. Third time out he found his voice and managed to stay on a couple for awhile. Fourth time out started slow. It was not a good day for bunny hunting. The snow was a bit sticky and his bell kept plugging up. Then he got on one but lost it shortly after. Then he got on one and held it for quite awhile before losing it.

Then he got on one and got sidetracked by a deer track (or the deer itself). His tracks ran along side of the deer track and then in the deer tracks. There were four sets of deer tracks. We spent over an hour tracking him down. If it wasn't for his bark, we would never have gotten him back. That deer led him on a long run through the woods, across a snowmobile trail and out to the dirt road. It looked like the deer tried to lose him on the road by going back and forth across the road,

Jim went up an old partially grown in trail and I went down the road and onto another snowmobile trail hoping we could cut him off one way or the other. Jim heard him bark not too far from the trail. He saw where the deer had crossed and went in. He ended up carrying Buster out as he forgot the spare leash. Buster seemed quite pleased with himself but he was one tired pup.

Now, the big question is, "How do we stop him from chasing deer?" Jim said when he was a young lad, his grandfather had told him the only way was with a bullet. I don't want to do that. If I cannot break him of that, he will be a leash dog for the rest of his life with no freedom to run unless we fence in the yard. It would have to be a pretty high fence too as he can jump quite high.

Any ideas anybody?
 
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#2 ·
Ok this is not a single step process but it is doable
Get a deer leg for scent
Get an ecollar for negative reinforcement
Get a fresh bunny

Lay both on opposite side of the yard
When the pup starts playing with the deer, use the ecollar to stop the behavior

When he gets playing with the bunny use positive reinforcement (praise and treats)

It wont take much time before he figures it out and associates deer scent with the zap.

Keep doing it moving the deer and bunny around the yard so he doesn't associate the zap with one side of the yard
 
#3 ·
Well a bullet is not the answer but some form of corrective training has to be considered. This is a hound he does not really care what the creature is the excitement is in the finding and chase. Just because we are dealing with a Beagle does not mean they are just Rabbit hounds, of all our hunting sporting dogs hounds generally get the most freedom, so you the handler / trainer have to take immediate corrective measures, what you need to do right now is back off from letting the dog just run. You also have to gain working control by taking the dog into the field on leash and using one of the oldest yet still one of the best methods going, you use positive word voice tones when the dog gets excited over rabbit tracks and at any time the dog shows a tendency to track out deer including baying you must enforce a corrective snap of the leash that really grabs his attention with a very negative harsh NO. Then you proceed on your walk travels each time when he works or smells Rabbit sign praise and encourage, deer sign interest you must take immediate discouraging action. This process takes time it can be done you can also use a shock collar with the lead the lead/leash gives you full control.

As the dog begins to respond you where possible try and set him up so that there is a visible sighting of Deer and when interest is shown do not hesitate and firmly correct, where a rabbit can be visually seen get him all worked up with positive verbal voice tones such as "that a boy/girl, what's that a rabbit , want 'em,let's get em, good boy/girl" Then let him go, this process of corrective communication works but it has to be consistent and it does not happen over night.
 
#4 ·
What Tim has suggested is a good training control method, and is one I should have thought of myself. If you do not have a deer or bunny parts so to speak I am sure someone on this site can get you some. Regardless how you go about doing the corrective treatment you have to be consistent if you do not stop this now and continue on with uncontrolled hunting you will lose this dog he will become to ingrained to be trusted.
 
#5 ·
This is normally a very easy problem to fix. I have done it many times more so with the coonhounds and coyote dogs but beagles are no different. Find a fresh deer track and use an E-collar. Saying a bullet is the only way to fix it is a very old school way of thinking and with today’s Technology many problems are an easy fix. Remember there has been as many dogs ruined with an e-collar as there has been ones fixed. Every dog reacts different to correction so don’t go overboard. An e-collar is a wonderful tool in the right hands
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the advice guys. We will work at correcting that behavior as soon as possible. I am currently trying to retrain him to walk on a leash. We got him a Halti to aid with that. For now, I only let him loose in the yard when playing ball with him. Also, he goes to the vet tomorrow to be neutered. After he heals from that, and learns to walk somewhat sensible on leash, we will work on the deer issue. Thanks again.
 
#7 ·
The guys above are sound in advise I know them both and the method works but and this is important you must be diligent in the corrective action. You have to get a handle on this dog now and not let him run uncontrolled until you have succeeded. Good luck, this method and it's variations is also used to stop dogs going after porcupines, snakes, bears and any other creature you find is undesirable game. The process is not new and has reference to it going back hundreds of years all over the world.
 
#8 ·
Josh I know you contacted me a while ago about something to do with my dogs and how they hunted. I meant to get back to you but all kinds of things got in the way including a very wet or maybe windy would be better hunting season. Hope your season went ok I know ducks and geese are one of your favorites.

Mike
 
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