Your second paragraph is the more likely, dogs pick up bad habits, to us, quicker than good ones. If the lurchers owned by the people you know are obedient and decent at their jobs ask if you could tag along, on your own, to get a good idea of what you need to do.
Then get out, on your own with your dog, and give it a go. Don't worry that the end of the season is almost here, rabbits don't have a really have a season, as they're pests. And a couple of runs on some easy ones every now and then, should give you both a chance to start honing your skills ?