Last May I �rescued� a 2 year old nurtured male beagle. He had been kenneled in a box inside a home for most of his life, allowed to run in a small back yard after work hours. Also, he was trained not to bark. Since then, the wife and I have been gaining his trust and all have been trying to train each other.

Up �til a month ago, he was 80% nose. His face was down, his eyes were down and if he did not smell something first it does not exist. He is just now getting his head up on walks around the neighborhood but he is still mostly nose. Voice and hand commands still have little or no affect when his nose is down.

So, the question is: How do I keep track of him and call him back if/when we chase rabbits this winter?

I can envision him 2-3 miles away before he even notices.

What training do I need to start?

Should I wait �til next fall/winter?

I�ve seen the collar units that are basic walky-talkies on a collar with or without a shock unit. Is there a best one?

TIA

Bend
Basic obedience.
If you don't know how,get a book or send to a trainer.

Before I cut any dog loose to hunt,he knows his obedience first.

hey Bend,
try some small treats along with using a 20' or 30' lead. keep working with him, calling him to you and rewarding him. then go without a lead. do this in the yard. as far as keeping track of him while hunting, i've been using small bells on the colars. this is good for keeping track while they are in the brush and to keep trigger happy others from shooting near the dogs. i would get the dog in the field as soon as possible. as far as e-collars i've been happy with tri-tronics. i haven't had to use customer service but i hear they have the best in the industry. something else you might try is to shoot a rabbit and walk the dog to it and just let him chew on it and praise him, make sure you have him wormed. after about 15-20 minutes take the rabbit away and try to find another one for him to run. for any supplies or tips check out americanbeagler.com, espomagizine.com, and rabbithuntingonline.com...good luck with your dog, R.D.

Keep socializing. He doesn't sound ready to turn loose unless you want to lose him. Then again you might turn him lose and find he won't run much. Socialize, socialize, socialize. You will be of no use to him nor him to you until he trusts you completely. If you have access to a huge area where he can run and not get into trouble, you might try turning him loose. Just let him do whatever he wants and try to keep an eye on him. You got him last may, he'll come back when he's hungry.
Take him out toward Fort Rock. Lots of room there and mostly public land.

"Take him out toward Fort Rock. Lots of room there and mostly public land."

Ah, 'yote bait! I've only done it with cats before. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />