Starting an older dog on the lamp

[rob84 112]

Hello all, was offered a whippet dog yesterday through a mate due to the owners unforceen circumstances, which i accepted and said would give a good home to. I got the dog tonight its coming up to nearly 5 years old, a good slab of a dog 22.5" high and looks powerfull with it. Been told that its a good ferreting dog and general day time hunter. Thats suites me fine as ive got plenty of permission that would keep him happy! but out of interest how much of a job would it be to try and teach him on the lamp? would you treat him as a pup? as he has never been out lamping at night! Although i do a fair bit of ferreting and bushing with the terriers this is my first running dog. Best ways of starting him off on the lamp and general advice would be appriciated!

 

Thanks Rob

[lurcher lass 9]

hiya

 

i'm surprised to be the first person replying to you

 

firstly what a nice find! being that the dog is a ferreting dog and daytime moocher will mean not only does he have chasing instinct and prey drive,

i would say get the dog used to you, get a good bonding going, take him out ferreting etc, make sure he's happy to retrieve bunny to you, then simply go out for a shine, have him on slip lead, give him easy slips to start with i.e bunny's out in the field and away from hedgeline, make sure the dog sees the rabbit, even if it means keeping him on slip for half a second longer for the dog to watch it move, then the dog will learn to look down the beam after a couple of runs

with an older it means all puppy fizz is gone, so you will have a mature dog learning a new trade,

wish you all the best mate, patience goes a long way

hope this helps lurcher lass

 

p.s any pics?

[Wallis46 0]

hiya

 

i'm surprised to be the first person replying to you

 

firstly what a nice find! being that the dog is a ferreting dog and daytime moocher will mean not only does he have chasing instinct and prey drive,

i would say get the dog used to you, get a good bonding going, take him out ferreting etc, make sure he's happy to retrieve bunny to you, then simply go out for a shine, have him on slip lead, give him easy slips to start with i.e bunny's out in the field and away from hedgeline, make sure the dog sees the rabbit, even if it means keeping him on slip for half a second longer for the dog to watch it move, then the dog will learn to look down the beam after a couple of runs

with an older it means all puppy fizz is gone, so you will have a mature dog learning a new trade,

wish you all the best mate, patience goes a long way

hope this helps lurcher lass

 

p.s any pics?

 

Proper advice

[BenBhoy 4,706]

very sound advice from lurcher lass. deffinitely make sure first few slips are done once dog deffinitely seen rabbit, even if the added time means bunny gets away, a least dog will know what it's chasing. be as much of a learning curve for you as well as dog, so just take your time and enjoy it.

[rob84 112]

very sound advice from lurcher lass. deffinitely make sure first few slips are done once dog deffinitely seen rabbit, even if the added time means bunny gets away, a least dog will know what it's chasing. be as much of a learning curve for you as well as dog, so just take your time and enjoy it.

 

 

Thanks for the advice, being out with him all morning, what ive noticed the most is how keen and sharp is eyes are! He had half a chase through some thick cover but i think hes carring a bit 2 much weight its got a hell of a back on it! couple of wks now to get him a little bit fitter and will certantly try him on the lamp.

Will take some photos to see what u think of him and add them on!

 

Thanks

 

Rob

[fresh earth 47]

Just get im out bud creep up on the rabbits with im on a slip and as said make sure he see's the rabbit go before you slip him should take to it like a duck to water after half a dozen trips out he should start following the beam as he runs daytime the groundworks done . Good luck with him once you get some piks up we will be able to tell if he is carrying a bit weight.

 

regards kris

[rob84 112]

Hi,

 

Just a little update to those who offered their advice.

Took the dog out monday nt, walked up the hedge row rabbit about 40 yeards up and say 30 yards out. walked up to it made sure that the dog seen it and left it go, just missed it as it got to the hedge. I though ok first go theres some hope for you boy! Was expecting a few for runs that nt but there was a few foxes about that probabily put them to ground! and f**k wernt they lamp shy! Seen another rabbit and the dog made a right pigs ear of it! i left it for that for the nt and went home!

 

Went out last nt to a place that was littered with the quitest dullest rabbits that ive ever seen with the wind could easily get to within 6-7 yards of some of them. I though this would be ideal for him to get a proper chance of catching 1 or 2 maybe after he had shown some promise the nt before. Let him go on one around 25 yards away from us, after hed seen it he went after it for about 20 yards and then just stopped in its tracks and watched it get away. This continued for another 6-7 runs even on the real close ones. I stopped after 6-7th time as there no point in making them shy.

 

I think mysellf that the dog is a little bit older to what ive been told i think hes around 7 to 8. But a dog at that age should manage a few runs, and catch a few to keep the ferrets happy, thats all i wanted him for! Could it be something with his eye sight? I know hes fit enough as he comes round the sheep following the quad and hes never gets out of breath. Well ime going to take him with the ferrets sat now to see what he does? Otherwise ive got my doubts over him! i'll giving him a chance as he owes me nothing!

 

Any further advice, however small with be greatly accepted!

 

Thanks Rob

[lurchermania 25]

err doesnt sound like his eyesight mate but i would say just keep trying one step at a time get to the middle ov a massive field chose your rabbit cearfully make sure your on high ground and make sure your lamping it properly thanks stew

[rob84 112]

err doesnt sound like his eyesight mate but i would say just keep trying one step at a time get to the middle ov a massive field chose your rabbit cearfully make sure your on high ground and make sure your lamping it properly thanks stew

 

 

I can see what your saying, but the fields last nt were plenty big enough, some of them 5-6 acres nice re-seeded good running ground and the rabbits were well out from the sides so the dog had pleantly of scope. And i asked a mate to come with me to make sure i was doing things right. I will keep trying with him as before i was more of a 12bore man with a lamp but taking a dog out although not doing very well has been an eye opener! thanks rob