dogs rolling out

In my opinion the genetic aspect of a dog rolling out is based on how much drive they have to hunt, in combination with also having livestock working instinct. If they dont have much hunting drive or strike many hogs on thier own, I certainly would not expect them to roll out. They need the livestock working instinct also......its the instinct to be aware of multiple hogs and the drive to try and get them all gathered up. All the dogs i've seen that rolled out the best were true livestock dogs that could be used both ways and cows and hogs. That kind of thing can't be taught and took decades of breeding by the old timers to get refined to good quality stock dogs and should be maintained as best can be because it is easy to loose.

I think some of it can be taught if the dog has the genetic potential to start with. Hunting them allot definately helps. Don't start a pup on quick hunts. If you catch one hog and then leave more often than not that is what the pup will think he is supposed to do. Catch one hog and then its game over time to go home. That will not help a dog to roll out. Other things to do is dont let them chew on, bark at, or even look at a dead hog after you stick or shoot it. Its a no brainer if the hog is tied, but it works the same way other wise. If they hang around after a caught hog, catch them, don't call them to you but run after them and catch them. Then lead them away and keep them on the leash for a while. If they have a strong hunting drive, it will make them not want to hang around after a catch or bay next time. If they learn to leave a catch to avoid getting caught they will naturally just start hunting again if they have a strong enough hunting drive. Also, start them in the woods. Don't start them in a pen or even at home on a tied out hog. Start them on a hunt or hual them somewhere they are unfamiliar with and start them on a staged hunt.

I have a gyp that will roll out but sometimes if we make several quick, one hog and done type hunts in a row she can get lazy and stop rolling out like she should. When she starts that, I make it a habit to catch her up after each bay and snap her on the lead. She does not like to see other dogs hunting when she is in captivity. She will make a habit of leaving after a bay to avoid getting caught next time. A time or two of this and she will be back to rolling out. But that would not work if she did'nt have a strong huntig drive to begin with.

Waylon