Help!

[poxon 5,920]

I always liked starting young dogs pinning in nets early as possible off a slip lead it’s a fool proof way of building confidence in young dogs making them believe there the best thing since sliced bread without over taxing them progressing on to no slip then less nets layed then at about 10month I’d take them out at night to watch mine or other dogs run by about 11 month they get there first one to one little walk out to see if I could find a squatter far out by then they are already confident they know how they move they’ve had there mouths round loads of them so there not unsure of them. 

[Luckee legs 541]

IMO 8 months is young for the type of interaction you describe. It's definitely possible to enter too early if the ground is not on the dogs side.   For me, starting them ferreting with purse nets is that situation where a young dog can have beneficial experiences, they will get excited by whats happening and want to get involved. Compared to an experienced dog whos in the right place most of the time , Id expect to see a youngster unable to position well and also to hesitate briefly when a rabbit bolts. thats where the purse net saves the day with a 100% chance of a catch if it purses

Its not completely without issue, Ive a whippet that is a f.....g pain not letting go of netted rabbits and I wonder if I made some mistakes early on in handling that. Having mostly had collie blooded lurchers the drop aspect has always been easy in the past

[Daniel cain 49,209]

Giving a young dog 'droppers'...rats in a cage trap...or  something sharp in a blockend...teaches them nothing imo... easiest way to spoil a young prospect ...much more rewarding,when a young dog makes it happen themselves

[Moocher71 4,261]

My brothers old  dog didn't cach anything until 2 year old but Deerhound x 

I always start young dogs off with ferreting and it's never failed yet,once your dog taking interest in netted rabbits ,leave a couple nets off and let rabbits bolt and your youngster will soon chase and catch and then try on the lamp .

I do not and would not drop rabbits,I don't think your learning a dog anything by dropping rabbits,find a squatter and walk your dog up to it and only slip once the rabbit moves .