Hunter's Progress
1-27-07 Well Hunter got another opportunity to experience a live squirrel. He showed interest in the squirrel while it was still in the trap. On this occassion, he chased the squirrel across the yard and ran it up a tree. He lost sight of it when it got up the tree though. I probably should not have shot the squirrel out, since he was not focusing on it, but I did anyway. Hunter really enjoyed the squirrel when it got on the ground. We played tug-of-war with it for a little bit and then I took it from him. After I put him back in the pen, I let him have the squirrel to play with and get used to the smell and taste again real good. He played with that dead squirrel for at least 3 hours non-stop. When he finally stopped, it was only because he was exhausted and went right to sleep.
5-22-07 It has been a while since I have been able to get Hunter in the woods, but last Saturday (5-19-07), he finally saw a live, wild squirrel and did a pretty good job chasing it for his first time. It looks like the squirrels are going to be decent in number this year in my neck of the woods. I'm hoping to be able to shoot one out for him soon. Season opens this Saturday (5-26-07). If he doesn't keep his nose on the next squirrel or if I can't get him on one soon, I'm going to try to trap another squirrel (Have to wait for the season to open though).
I found out in that past few weeks that our tiny toy poodle, Toby, wants to be a serious squirrel dog too. He has chased and treed several yard squirrels at my in-laws. He likes to chase rabbits too and has actually caught one or two lately. All I have to do is say, "Where's that squirrel" and Toby hits the nearest tree looking up and jumping up on the tree.
Update Information April 2, 2009
I've not updated these pages with details of Hunters' progress lately, but am trying to get the pages cleaned up a bit. As for his progress, a combination of a very low squirrel population, not spending enough time in the woods and some frustration with Hunter attacking Toby, he has not progressed as a squirrel dog very well. I blame most of it on myself. I didn't get him in the woods enough to get him started firmly. He has also shown aggression to Toby a few times.
I guess, my attempt at training Hunter failed for the most part. I am going to try to see what he does this next season if we have any squirrels. If you are thinking about getting a squirrel dog, make sure that you have the time to keep them in the woods or get a firmly started dog to start out with.
As far as squirrel hunting, you don't have to have a dog to have fun. Hunting with a dog is a different experience than hunting alone though. Whatever method of squirrel hunting you chose, have fun and be safe.
