Labs & Bunnies

[redeemed]

got me a 7 yaer old lab, (lap dog, spoiled for sure) how will he be hunting bunnies, VERY intelligent, pure bred. never had him hunting, mostly sleeps on my couch. is it too late and will it hurt him to start taking him out for walks with the bow searching for the elusive "white-tail wabbit"?  hwo do I train him to saty and not chase, OR should he chase?????

thanks guys

[bosteldr]

I would say...Find and not chase.  He is not a beagle, my lab is more of a sight dog not a scent dog like a beagle.  As long as he can see it, it will chase.  Not as good for picking up scent of a rabbit after loosing sight of the rabbit.
Seem do to better on birds, for scent and tracking.

[MIKE WIRT]

Get you a good, slow beagle that will just push the rabbit, not run it. That is the best for trying to get them with a bow. Good Luck

[PSUBowhunter]

My lab will definately chase bunnies, but I always call her off of them when I know that is what she is after. She acts completly different when she is smelling a bunny vs. smelling a pheasant/grouse.

[Gatekeeper]

I'm sure he can be trained to hunt rabbits, a Lab's nose is incredible and they’re a very versatile breed. Heck they are trained to look for bombs, drugs, antlers, etc. The trick is to get him to hunt for you and not for himself. We have a Lab / Rottweiler / Border Collie mix and he is hell on rabbits. He loves them! He thinks they taste great and they’re a blast to chase. I’ve never worked with him as a hunting dog (obviously) so he hunts for himself, but he’s very proficient on finding rabbits. Every time he comes across a brush pile he will stand there for a minute or two looking, listening and scent checking. If there is a rabbit in the pile he will try a jump it out and then the chase is on.

Find a trainer in your area and see if he can help you or give you some tips.

[redeemed]

Thanks guys, is my 7 yr old lab too old to start training?? he's pure bred, but always been a lap dog. very intelligent though!!!!

[no]

get a beagle, a nice fast bunny pounder. My dogs push hard we get lots of shots. The bunnies will still be well ahead of the dogs. Lots of fun.  Mike

[team fudd]

I have raised both breeds, beagles professionally and currently own Team Fudd Kennels.  The best advice I can give you is do not expect too much from a 7 year old lab in regards to rabbit hunting.  Labs, if they came from the right breeding are retrievers by  nature, it has been bred into them for well over a hundred years.  In the last twenty years or so some fellas have taught them to quarter and flush pheasants but after 30+ years of raising and training dogs I have yet to see a rabbit running labrador retriever.  Anything is possible but just dont expect too much.  Most sporting dogs training is started at a very early age,  three to four months so seven years might be a little late but once again, you never know.  Good luck with your adventure and if you ever need a top notch hunting or field trialing beagle pm me.  Thanks and good hunting.

[lpcjon2]

Take him out for some stumping and see how reacts to sruirrel and such he may take to busting them from the brush. worst case he may lose a few pounds,as most lap dogs could use it. as long as the dog listens and obeys the usual commands he should be no trouble afield.It wont hurt to try.

 And my lab is trained as a cadaver dog (find deceased people) and she will also find live humans as well. Labs are very multi trainable animals.

[redeemed]

"Flash" is a VERY good listener. VERY obedient and submissive, actually to a fault. I may take him afield and just get some stumpin and walking in, do us both some good, although my hips and knees are shot, and his ole hips are getting feeble, some times I have to lift him in the truck, EVEN when I say GO BYES, which USED to put him into whistle gear, he still finds whistle gear, but now his clutch is slipping a little!!!!

[Killdeer]

Sounds to me that you two are a match. Believe me, my aches and pains can relate!    
Why are you asking whether to take him out for some fun? Go see how you like it!

Is he he old to train? Only if you are...    
Killdeer  

I was gonna get a lab, until I saw how many of their owners go blind.

[redeemed]

Love the "going blind" quote, i may use that in a sermon for a laugh or two!!!!