I have a 3.5 year old Bluetick/Lab mix. He Favors his Bluetick side. I've had him since he was a pup, so we have a good strong bond. His Sire comes from a good bloodline of UKC coonhounds. When he was a pup I was living in the suburbs with my parents but I managed to get his paws wet. He is not gun shy. When we shoot clays he wants to retrieve them for me. He knows what squirrels are, knows their scent, and knows that they live in trees. However, he doesn't have hardly any time in the woods. I've let him in the woods a few times but when I do he takes off at a full sprint and runs real deep away from me. However, I've put him on a caged squirrel in the yard and he treed nicely for me. I think he could still make a good squirrel dog if he would stay more shallow and slow down.

Do you think He could still be trained and finished? If so, How do I go about getting him to slow down and stay closer to me in the woods?

Thanks Guys&Gals