Free Ranging Dogs

As a kid all my dogs and pups ran loose and they never knew a kennel nor a leash...all my dogs were good hunting dogs but all specialized in their positions...they had to be good because that was their meal for the day and we hunted most every day and whenever I couldn’t make a hunt they went without me... I always had three type of dogs...strike dogs, fast catch dogs and flushing dogs...if the game made it to the rose hedges the flushing dog or dogs would go in and flush out the game to the circling strike and catch dogs...
Yes...there is no doubt about it, running loose as pups is by far the best way and if that isn’t available do what Tdog has said...

If the pups are kenneled is best to load them straight out of the kennel into dog box...you want them chomping at the bit to go...you also want them doing their training exercises before feeding...this will perk up their hunting instincts and they won’t poop as much in dog box...take them to a good spot and unload them and get back in buggy or sit on a log...ignore pups and let them range...once they come back move further and repeat and on every training exercise do not over do it, puppies can get bored...learn each pup because one day you will probably want to breed the best one...

Another thing...buy a cheap pack of chicken and pork wieners and cut them up in small pieces and scatter them in an area and then hiss and sic the pups as you turn them loose...always do it so the wind is carrying to the pups...but first have them learn that these treats taste good...so when they get the smell they perk up...this little exercise teaches them a few things...they learn goodies and hogs can be winded...when you open the gate you hiss, sic and clap your hands as the pups rush to find the treats...watch them circle and find...so when they are older and you drop them in hog sign you simulate what they have been taught coming out of the gate and they will go searching...learn your pups as they learn...

When you don’t have access to letting them run loose then these little training exercises will benefit them as well as beneficial to you...usually the pups that do best will eventually be your better hunting dogs...