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want to work my rat terrier


Guest hyphen

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hey folks. i noticed that most of you all were european, but maybe you can help me. it seems like most of the american terriermen either don't have web access or just use their terriers as housepets.

 

i'm trying to find some info on working my terrier. i picked up a rat terrier pup a week ago. the bitch is now 8 weeks old and i'm trying to find as much info as i can. i've read that rat terriers were mainly built for ratting but that they can also go to ground.

 

so, i've read up on digging, digging techniques, dispatching, deben collars, etc. but there are two main issues, where to find quarry in southern california and how to train my pup. she's a purebred with a pedigree with a couple grand champions, but that probably means shit since i don't think many of them worked.

 

any info in the right direction of finding the right quarry and proper training would be great.

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Guest Haggler
hey folks.  i noticed that most of you all were european, but maybe you can help me.  it seems like most of the american terriermen either don't have web access or just use their terriers as housepets. 

 

i'm trying to find some info on working my terrier.  i picked up a rat terrier pup a week ago.  the bitch is now 8 weeks old and i'm trying to find as much info as i can.  i've read that rat terriers were mainly built for ratting but that they can also go to ground.

 

so, i've read up on digging, digging techniques, dispatching, deben collars, etc.  but there are two main issues, where to find quarry in southern california and how to train my pup.  she's a purebred with a pedigree with a couple grand champions, but that probably means shit since i don't think many of them worked.

 

any info in the right direction of finding the right quarry and proper training would be great.

 

I have never seen a rat terrier go to ground. The breed may well hunt on top of the ground but if it will enter an earth I will be shocked. B)

 

Haggler

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i've heard of rat terriers in earthdog competitions. from what i understand they have a lot of other terrier background too? being bred with fox terriers, dachsunds, english terriers and the like.

 

i'm just new to this whole thing. i plan on introducing small game to her in a couple months and see how well she reacts. she seems to have somewhat of a prey drive (if you can tell this early on). she digs a LOT and chases/kills spiders on my balcony. she's also taken a liking to the pigeon feathers left on my ground and would rather chase down a mouse-on-a-string toy made for cats rather than play with her own chew toys.

 

even if she isn't the best earthdog, i'd like to do some sort of work with her. i just need to be put in the right direction.

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Hyphen, rat terriers are not earth dogs and there are many Americans that have earth working terriers and work them as such. Check a couple of the American message boards out and you can possibly hook up with someone that can give you some more direction.

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thanks for the encouragement and links. i'll definitely be checking those out. i also love all the pics i've found on this forum. i couldn't find decent pics of earthdog hunts for the life of me with google.

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