Hey fella's need some help. My new pup is doing great, one of the smartest dogs I've ever had. Unfortunatly, someone along our rural road has dropped some cotton tail rabbits (Former Pets). My pup is constantly on the hunt for these little pests.(about 20 of them now)He has cuaght a few and killed them. I don't hunt rabbit here in Oregon, and having a hard time teaching him to Whoa when he knows he can catch the little varmits! I also think I am hindering his hunting instinctby trying to shy him from scenting and pointing on them. If my pup knows I am in the area he will lock on point at them, if he thinks he can get away with it & I'm not looking, he's gone!...chasing after them trying to catch them. When I see this I start yelling Whoa!!!????? Trash!..Trash! No!but I don't want him to get the impression that scenting game and or locking point on somthing is bad?Im Iright or wrong here????
How do I teach to pick and choose what I want him to hunt and not hunt?
Should I worry about it? or let him continue and praise him?
Shoot the little suckers?
It is really a pleasure to see him work and point, but I don't want him locking on rabbits instead of birds when hunting in the field? (I included a picture of him at 8 months now)
The problem is, every time I let him out of our gate, to load up in my truckor just have him at my side while working in the field, all he can do is start to hunt for them every time I look away for a second! His mind is set!!!! I am constantly calling his name while he's off sniffin around the barn or neighbors house for the little fur balls? Good or bad?