Quote: Carol Boche

The only thing with this, in my opinion, is that hounds are very different from other breeds. I have seen some with a recall, although the recall was never very good.

With a hound variety, whatever smells the best is the most fun regardless of what the handler does with the dog for fun, even if it is their most favorite food in the world.

Carol about summed that up perfectly! I have a big sight hound and once he sees a prey animal, well, he might as well just be in the starting gate of a straight track with blinders on and earplugs in! We've worked on his recall (and his reactions to stimulus while ON leash), and he's quite good if there's nothing to chase in the bushes, but I will never overcome his instinctive drive to independantly CHASE, thus I will never have 100% off leash control.

But I'm with Richard - nothing gives me more pleasure than watching my dog flat out run, tree a squirrel, then leap at the branches - his enthusiasm is brilliant. I also know that when in that kind of drive, and being the stubborn hounds that they are, they can take quite a correction before ever even BLINKING (let along shutting down).

Richard, I think your boy is fine and that your correction sounds like it was JUUUST enough to get him to snap out of it for a moment so that you could grab his attention. Beagles have got to be one of THE most difficult dogs, even of all the hounds, to work with on distraction training and recall - I commend you on obviously doing VERY well with such a tough pup! *And I LOVE the picture of him checking out the iguanna - how cool is that?!

~Natalya

 Quote: natalya zahn

Beagles have got to be one of THE most difficult dogs, even of all the hounds, to work with on distraction training and recall -

Hee hee....I agree, my 100 pound Bloodhounds are easier to spot
Beagles are tough and I also commend you Richard. You are obviously doing well with your "cutest beagle in the world".....

Thanks for the compliments, gals.

I thought you might want to see Ruy in action. I just figured out how to convert my videos to digital format, so I uploaded a couple on youtube. The quality is horrible, though, but it's their fault not mine. The original looks perfect.

Anyway, this video was taken a couple of months ago. He's a much better hunter these days and hardly ever gets slapped in the face by the iguana's tail.

Enjoy.

 Quote: Richard Pryor

Anyway, this video was taken a couple of months ago. He's a much better hunter these days and hardly ever gets slapped in the face by the iguana's tail.

Enjoy.

You thought right. That was great. Thanks for sharing.......

I used to have a big male iguana like that and his name was Spike. I know why Ruy does not get whacked anymore.....when those things are in a foul mood, they will leave a welt like you would not believe........