Holding A Dog Back Till 2 Or Older ??

[whitefeet4190 1,724]

Just wondering what people's views are on not entering a dog till it's 2 or older following a story in the countrymans weekly this week ?

Will it make the dog more sensible or make the dog harder because it's got older and more confident or would it not make any difference ??

[lucky 578]

It would mean a long time of waiting to find out its shit lol.

Seriously though IMO 2 years is far too long, the best way is to let the dog decide when it's ready then it's down to the owner to keep it winning while it gains in experience.

I don't think early or late entering will decide on the dogs style of work that's more to do with breeding and the amount of work the dog is given.

[dig4glory 109]

Holding it back will let the dog mature mentally I personally show a dog at around 16 to.18mnths then bring it on slowly not to much to soon that's just me. Atb d4g

[boothyboy 52]

yeh some blackuns u have to hold bk but i had a border once n ran out of patience with 2 n half year old still not intrested...not for me...blackuns from 15month most are ready to go....its how u let um......

[block end 242]

Just wondering what people's views are on not entering a dog till it's 2 or older following a story in the countrymans weekly this week ?

Will it make the dog more sensible or make the dog harder because it's got older and more confident or would it not make any difference ??

16 month's give him a whirl right earth why not I let them run empty ones you now if they are ready but all different if he not ready hold him back butt 2 and half why to long

[TOPPER 1,809]

but on the other side the dog would be fully mature in all aspects ie teeth firmly set in the jaws bones fully developed

[chilli 368]

Do what you think is best as its your dog , me personally i like to let them mature mentally a bit first . just my opinion .

[jonesy 111]

Cannot really give an age on when to start,ive had dogs busting to start at an early age but others took quite a bit longer,just this year have a dog that done a bit last season but then looked like he was about to quit so held him off and started again this season had a couple hiccups but is going from strength to strength next season will be the make or break for him.

[morton 5,367]

Entering early has been the ruination of many a mutt,2 is a good age,most terriers will benefit from education a tad earlier than 2,its the individual and how far its capable of being pushed.

[jeemes 3,547]

Its great to have a dog that wants to go early but its hard,especially when you only have one and earths are crying out to be dug, to hold it back. Nevertheless I think genrally the best long term outcome will come from letting a pup have a taste and then waiting to at least 18months. Easy to say but not always easy in practice.

[WEDGEY 749]

I always hold my dogs back tell they are around 2 but I also have them out to watch everything from about 8 or 9 months old ,

[jeemes 3,547]

yeh some blackuns u have to hold bk but i had a border once n ran out of patience with 2 n half year old still not intrested...not for me...blackuns from 15month most are ready to go....its how u let um......

I would of got rid of that Border too mate.Ive got one here now that has been dug to at 3ft at 11months old. She was killing squirrels at 15 weeks. I think it comes down to strains not breeds. We are holding her back till next year..so far anyway

[WEDGEY 749]

Here's a question? Many digs would you put on a 2 year old dog 2,3or4 or would you keep them at it once they've started ?

[rob84 112]

My best dog was wanting work at 6months of age, but he did not see nothing nothing much untill he was 2, he had two and half seasons of a lot of work untill I lost him recently. I have another dog equal to him and the penny did not drop untill it was 2.5-3year old, every dog is different, that's all some dogs need is time

[lucky 578]

At 2 year old I'd just continue digging it some of the better dogs I've seen have had loads of digs before they get to 2.