Leaving a young dog over night

[Mose]

I have a young dog that I made the mistake of leaving over night on his first big race. The dogs got into an area that is difficult to get to, and I wasn't able to get them until the next day. Since leaving him like that he has not been willing to leave and go with the old dogs again. Anyone have any experience with a similar situation or any advice?

[mark]

Before telemetry and GPS young dogs got left out over night all the time because we had no idea of what point in the race they got threw out at. I and a lot of other guys had 3 strike rule and we would move on to another prospect. This was providing that the dog was at an age and physical stage to keep up with older dogs.

[Mose]

Thanks for the input. The dog is and Airedale mix and my first dog that isn't a hound, so I don't really know how to gauge its progress. Every hound I've had that turned out to be a good dog went with the old dogs at a very young age, and would pack even before they knew how to run on their own. I don't know if I should be more patient with the Airedale or just move on.

[mark]

Thats a call only you can make.

[pegleg]

Those type dogs are more intelligent sometimes. The dog may or may not work for your style of hunting alot of time those dogs don't do well being sent down a track with out their handler. Also they need to understand the over all point to the game before they get comfortable. Different styles of hunting generate the different styles of hunting dogs just because someone else is thrilled with a dog isn't proof it will be what everyone wants

[dwalton]

Airedale are not hounds even 1\2 breeds. They are far smarter. They will not react like hounds or do what hounds do. They can be great to be part of the pack but don't expect from them what you would a hound. Try to get inside of their head think as they do. They can be a great addition to you catching game. That said a mistake or anything we do that does not line up with what the dog expects may cause a out come that does not work out to our thinking. Good luck I have owned a airedale that was a great dog. Dewey

[Mose]

Thanks for the replies, I really like his temperament and will try to be patient with him. If nothing else it will be a learning experience.

[david]

I had a dog with some airdale and some greyhound and some scent hound. She was a great dog, fun to watch and her athleticism was off the charts. I loved her. But I usually can only keep two or three dogs and I let her go for this reason: it was really hard to get her to stay in and work. I worked really hard at it and she got better and better, then I laid my dogs off for a month, and it was like I had to start all over again with her on this issue. I will tell you one thing though, if I could get her at the right place at the right time on a jumped bobcat, it was always a short race.

She required more patience than I am used to. I am guessing you will have to be patient and do some learning, as you said, if you can end up keeping your airdale. It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks. In this case, you are the old dog. Houndsmen making the switch to some types of cur dog go through a similar thing. I am guessing you airdale will have fewer similarities to your hounds than most lines of cur dogs. If you are limited as I was on the number of dogs you can keep, I am guessing you will not keep it.

If you have room for a dog that will be fun to have around, be extremely loyal, will hunt with you and for you, and maybe be there when you really wish you had a dog with you, and at times will shock you with abilities that many hounds do not have, I think you will really enjoy the dog.

[Mose]

David, thanks a lot for the post. I am going to keep the dog for a few more months. At least until I've given him some better opportunities in spring bear training.

[elknr]

I have a 2.5 year old hound that I left overnight and now she won't go further away than 100 yards in the snow winter time.. spring time is different, she runs bear fine and some really far chases as well. This is her first winter since she was left out overnight. She won't leave my side! Drives me crazy!! I'm trying to give her some time, but may just sell her as a bear dog. Different seasons might change the way yr dog is.. I think they just need to be able to trust us again on bringing them home each trip. They froze there ass off!! And don't want to forget it!! Good luck!!

[david]

I am guessing that in both cases, your dogs were less than a year old when this deep impression was made. If you don't mind, let me know the age in both cases, so I can add or subtract the tally toward the wisdom of John Wick's age for starting hounds.

I actually would love to dis-prove him, because I can't stand waiting that long. But it is kind of like a lot of guys who set out to dis-prove the Bible, and end up believing it.

[shade]

Over the years ive had to deal with some pretty irritating dogs some wouldnt leave some didnt like coming back. I learned more the more i could comtrol myself the better control i had of the dog. Last sunday i had a new BaT out that wouldnt come back in (probly my fault) but i was ready to fix this problem and go to the house. My son said you realize he is almost three but still a pup in his brain right. Ive had the dog for about a month and he has never been out and seen the world until now so he was right. We learn but sometimes have to be reminded.

[twilli]

Have an 8 month old redbone female that decided to chase some mule deer and headed out of the country. We rode our mules 4 miles back in the mountains for some exercise when this happened. We waited around three hours and she never came back. Went home got a kennel and put her favorite blanket in it. Walked up the road a mile and put it at the trailhead. Went up the trail a ways and whistled for her. Thought I heard a howl and went a little farther up the trail and she was coming down. She had been out there for about seven hours by herself and was about 5-6 miles from the trail head. She had enough sense to back track. Wind was blowing like the dickens so she must have a good nose. Glad to have her back. An old hounds man told me one time if they can't find there way back they aren't worth keeping . Lesson learned put the collar on the dog and crisis could have been averted.

[Emily]

Never had an airedale, but I've had hounds that wouldn't come back when I wanted them to. Here's what I'd try:
Next time the dog isn't coming back, leave a blanket or something with your scent on it and leave for only a couple hours. Go into town for gas and a cup of coffee, something like that. Chances are good the dog will be waiting at the blanket when you get back.
That usually teaches a hound not to make you wait. But this is bred into most hounds. Other breeds may not be as comfortable out of sight of their handler, so you have to leave something that reminds them of you/home.

Meanwhile, if the dog isn't ranging out, lay it up until he's stir crazy, then send him out with only one other trusted trained dog. Get back in the truck and close the door. If he doesn't get out of sight, tie him. Then drive a short ways down the road for a bit (even if he does get out of sight). Not too long at first. Maybe only 5 minutes if the problem is bad. Gradually increase the amount of time you leave him for. This is a slow, painstaking process to fix. He will eventually gain confidence that you will come back. Don't worry about whether he's hunting or not--you have to teach him to have confidence in you first. If he shows any signs of chasing the truck, make sure you tie him. Its pretty easy to teach a dog to chase your truck by mistake!
If you do this persistently, eventually he'll get the idea thatshe might as well hunt while you are out of sight and he can have confidence that you will come back. If he shows any signs of anxiety when you leave, decrease the amount of time you leave her for again. Like any other problem you create accidentally, it requires a lot o ftime and patience to fix.

[pegleg]

That can be a issue in big country. If my dogs are on track they learn I will show up eventually no matter what just like at the tree. If it's fresh they get buzzed and have to get back before it goes away. Hit them with enough power to stop the race then lower it to gentle reminder level and "remind" them occasionally until they are with you . the trick here is young pups who haven't seen enough correct game. Then there's the distance your ok with your hounds ranging out. I'm ok with half to three quarters of a mole in open areas but want them closer if it's thick. Its a learning curve for them. I would steer clear of dogs described as gets gone or goes deep. I've had a few experiences with that type dog. Here a hound might not hit scent for a long damn ways if ever if it headed the wrong way. If a dog doesn't naturally check in I don't want it.on the other hand a dog that follows me expecting to be shown a track doesn't help much either. Enough puppy work usually fixed the " lost " dog issue and trash running just by learning the basics like no and come. No is the best trash breaker for young hounds that haven't seen game. If it's reinforced with a e collar as pups they no they're being corrected for not listening not for running a track and soon realize some tracks always end quick in NO.