my patterdale

[Guest sharp shooter]

hi lads this is only my seccond post but i was just wanting to ask all of you about training a patterdale terrier to work.

he is a full patterdale terrier black and tan 1 year old (is this to late to start him) my mums had her way with him so far turning him into a lap dog :11: hes still got the instinct to do it but when i shot a rabbit the other week i sat it up at the top of the garden and let him out all he did was sniff it go on point and bark that would be good if it was still alive :11: and if it was a rat well thats a different story he hasnt got a clue what to do with them.

a friend of my dads got 2 he uses them for foxing ratting and rabbiting all i would be doing is a litttle ratting and the occasional rabbiting trip so lads have you any tips to get me started.

thanks alot sharp shooter

[thurso jack 3]

just take him out to where there are plenty vermin around and he will do the rest, hopefully, he will chase something if its alive most dogs would just sniff a dead rabbit also, just encourage him on the things he should be going after, BTW 1 year old is not to late to learn, but he wont learn sitting on mums knee, take him long walks where you would expect to see rats, along rivers canals, rubbish tips etc you may not see something the first few times but you will eventually.

[Guest sharp shooter]

cheers thurso jack

theres another thing he still doesnt know when to come back when he was a pup he spent to long chasing his mum around so thats what he does all the time he wants to chase and he doesnt come back untill he wants to is there any way of getting him out of this or not its just so when im in the field hell chase and hopefully catch the quarry then retrive it

[thurso jack 3]

practice his recall when he is not in a situation where prey is around get him solid on recall then take him out hunting up. He wont catch many rabbits on the run as terriers are just too slow, you will be better off trying to find some ratting for him, any place where food waste is left is a good start, or ask about at local farms but dont do any of this until you have him answering or you will be told to beat it, good luck.