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What do you think are differences you will see inn a dog trained with a pup trainer(any age) vs a dog never trained with other dogs or very little ?

My one opinion is that the dogs I started with nothing to teach them are far more indepent. Will not honor other dogs as well as the dogs who were raised inn the pack scenario. Not only vocal honoring but if a dog slips put quietly the pack raised ones will figure it out before the non pack. Any other observations ?

I've never noticed a difference at all. Some good and some bad in both.

The dogs I started working, with no dog trainer were alot more independent I did not have a problem with any of them not honoring. What I have seen is the dogs started without other dogs were or are way more rounded in all aspects. I think the dogs that are worked with other dogs learn how to get around the woods alittle faster but I think your pups are gonna only come out as good as there teacher, maybe one will excell past. I think dogs that are worked both ways is the way to go.

Young dogs ran with older well trained dogs is a heck of alot less headache I can promise you that. As for one way verses the other both make great dogs with the right recipe. Andy

On ANY pup whichever route you choose to start it with you must first know without any doubt in your mind which end of it barks!!!!!!!

Take care, Willie

Mark are you thinking theres a pup tryin to run with the big dogs lol. Andy

Im thinkn this houndawg world is a pretty small world.

I don/t believe it makes any difference once a dog matures, it/s in the genes. Some born to leads many others born to follow. An example comes to mind real fast, a registered female from high fame comp. breeding, started that female with some of the best I ever had, that female was as independent as a hog on ice from day one. So much so I gave her to a younger hunter, she was a box dog, tree dog, hard road dog & could track using a good carrying voice. Problem was, if dogs got a loose and got ahead of her she was not going to honor them, she would work that track behind them forever. The younger hunter had some pups & she did great for him, he caught several bobcat with her & a bunch of lion, several grey fox & a ton of coon. She died at his place & he enjoyed the heck out of her. Wish I had good dogs today & could just give a dog like that away. Al

Merlo, if a dog can get to be no better than the teacher, everybody would always have the same caliber of dogs. UNLESS...the teacher you are referring to is the owner.

I'm with Al as in a leader is born. I've owned too many dogs where several others had littermates, all trained in a different manner, that never wanted to be a lead dogs. Good tree dogs, good locators, good track dogs, good mouth on track but never progressed to a lead dog, always satisfied with following...always right up there with the lead dog but not leading.

The dog that I started with was trained alone. Most independent bitch you ever saw. Glad I don't do that anymore...

independent dog - lead dog....two different things.......not necessarily a bad thing.

the ability to get pups the exsposure to the right game of choice to get them off on the right foot . and catch them when they are wrong to try and correct it before it becomes habit .i just find it alot easier with a good trainer / check dog on hard running game that you dont always get to see whats going on .without a good trainer they can get trashy in a hurry..heck right here where i live i can easily train a coondog with no trainer.there is no bobcat training season in maine. your hunting season is when you take a pup to try an make it a catdog .couple that with bad crusty snow conditions or no snow the lack of cat tracks to find and all the trash between you and the cat and the cat walking right in the other games tracks . taking just a pup out there and trying to make a go of it is very hard .the lack of success can be discouraging . and doesnt do the pup much good either. just my thoughts.

Mondomuttruner, I was referring to the dogs or dog its being trained behind. Now think most people are always looking for better dogs correct why is that if the younger dogs were passing the teacher in skillz why would you need to continue searching. There's a select few who no matter what will always be searching. Leader's could be born don't doubt that. But that's gonna very in how much its hunted and how much good game its being shown and not just good tracks. Cats in tree's or cat's caught on the ground. JMO... If you look at every successful hunter whether it be bear coon rabbit or cat there is one thing in common they are good handlers. Why is everyone going to these guys for dogs. Breeding is huge no doubt in my mind but good handling is just as important. JMO

I think a little bit of both works best. Teach the dog how to use his nose by himself first then show him right from wrong and then let the hound start his own game now and then with the rest of the pack. Not all probably will make great lead dogs but I believe given the chance and the repetition and consistency of work put in them will pay off. Ive always dumped in behind old dogs because its easier but what do you do when the old dogs are gone thats why I started given more of my young dogs oppurtunity more often after they learned from the old lead dog. I think alot of hunters have been stuck saying what am I going start with old red is done for the season. You get what you put into them. Jmo

JBurnette, I like the way you think. Concise and correct. I like the use of "old lead dog", too. Those who know how to utilize the old pup trainer for the benefit of getting a young dog going are using the whole bag of tools. Finishing a dog is much different from starting a dog.