Hey there. Here's a personal, off-topic, question regarding pets, family dogs, etc...

See, my dogs don't hunt and never really have. They're just lovable family pets. See the photos below:

Sonny
(black lab w/touch of chow-chow, age 11. He's just a lovable, gentle, "old man", type of dog.)
Never hunted waterfowl, but I tried taking him once to Amelia WMA for rabbits.
Caption: $*@&#, Butch!!! You woke me up. I was comfortable, sleeping in front of the fireplace! [>:]


Amber
(beagle w/touch of shepherd, age 8 months. Amber is cute, but totally ignorant, and seriously needs training).
She's never hunted, but chases squirrels in the backyard. If you ever let her off the leash - she'll be gone! [&:]
Thank God, she came already housebroken. But she chews stuff and gets into things all the time. [:@]
Caption: Thanks for the brand new dog bed! I won't chew it up, trust me...


Question: Sonny is way to old now to take hunting. I am wondering about Amber and trying to teach her to maybe hunt rabbits someday. But if I ever let her off the leash, she'll take off and never be seen again....you know what I mean... What would you do? How can you train an 8 month old ignorant dog to listen and stay with you?

Thanks...

Edit: FYI... Amber replaced our beloved Holly (13 yr old female black lab) who passed away this past July.