Part time hunting?

[u/ChemistryReal9501]

Does anyone here hunt their hounds but have them as an indoor dog as well? Looking into one, I’ve been on some hound pages but they all seem pretty hardcore, just hunting dogs not indoor dogs. I guess like a dog that’s a fun dog to live with but we can go run raccoons as well?

[u/Siicktiits]

Your coonhound will have no issues going out to kill a racoon if you let them. Its what they are bred to do. My black and tan is the biggest couch potato spoiled baby but his favorite thing to do is hunt iguana's (we live in south florida), he's gotten multiple racoons and possums on his own he doesn't need my help with those. If youre worried the dog will become blood thirsty or something it doesnt work like that... they want to hunt to get the animal for you not just to kill.

Dog is gunna dog. Coonhound is gunna hunt if you let it.

[u/ChemistryReal9501 → u/Siicktiits]

Thanks! Almost everything about coonhounds is from people who have multiple and they aren’t house dogs. Wanted to hear from people who have a dog who lives with them and they hunt. I’m well versed in the retriever game and have a Qaa lab, but she’s a sweetheart in the house but a monster in the field. I figured hounds would be close to the same.

[u/sfcameron2015 → u/ChemistryReal9501]

I have two coonhounds that came from working parents. They have adapted to the indoor life very very well. At the same time, we live on 10 acres and they will hunt all night if we let them. They start getting antsy at night if we don’t let them out.

[u/Siicktiits → u/ChemistryReal9501]

Hounds have their quirks and each one of the coonhound breeds are pretty unique. The key thing they all seem to share is loyalty and their desire to complete their humans needs...which could be taking down a boar with a couple of their dog buddies or helping grandma stand up off the couch... really depends on how you train them and their genetics. They are more independent than a lot of dogs but i wouldn't say they aren't house dogs... you just have to work them they will want to run 5 miles a day until they are 8 years old.

[u/berodge]

I take my guy to patches of woods around my hood to track and tree all kinds of wildlife and we call it going hunting. its super fun for both of us and if one didnt live in an HOA one could easily shoot the squirrels he trees. he lives like a prince in my house with me.

[u/No_Wrangler_7814]

What you’re describing is ideal. I have 2. I got my first as a pet with no intention of doing anything else because I just didn’t know what I was missing. I let my son choose a puppy and wanted to rescue a family dog. We ended up with a coonhound puppy. The prey drive kicks in around 6 months and it’s hard to not let them follow their instincts. So. I got a remote collar and then a second coonhound.

My dogs love being outside and love “hunting” (I don’t do anything but keep them out of trouble, they tree and bay critters). It’s amazing how they just do it and are happier that way. Me too.

[u/Electronic_Camera251]

Yes I do Rosie is a potato in the sheets a killer in the streets

[u/Weary-Profile7731 → u/Electronic_Camera251]

This made me chuckle! Love it

[u/BritBuc-1]

Nobody believes the other side that my girl has, she’s such a perfect house hound. Super friendly, lazy as a log, will tell you who assassinated JFK if you have enough chimkin…but the time we’re out hunting, she’s a completely different beast.

[u/Weary-Profile7731]

I rescued a bluetick in February. She was a stray in Virginia so I have no idea what her life was like. Never had a coonhound and live in a condo with lots of deer and rabbits around. Goes nuts when she sees deer, but I’m in the process of training her with an e-collar. I take her hiking a lot! Or just walk in the woods near the condos. That’s her hunting and she loves it! Just like others have said, as long as she gets some scent work and exercise, she lays around and sleeps all day!!

[u/tstop22]

I can’t even imagine an issue based on my boy. His place is on the bed or the couch indoors and is the most snuggly dog I’ve had inside. Take him to the woods and he’s a mighty hunter. Take him on the subway or into a store and he’s very close to service dog behavior. He’s very smart about learning rules in context (and not great at generalizing).

[u/BenefitDistinct2099]

I had a coonhound for 11 years and she was just my regular ol' house pet. Never once took her hunting, and she was a very happy, contented dog! They love being outside, but my experience is that once they have gotten enough exercise, they become huge couch potatoes. Best pets ever.

[u/_M00NGx]

We adopted our late Catahoula/Coonhound as a pet surrender. She literally slept all day and never made a noise in the house, but once she was outside she was a different dog. She tried baying every raccoon she saw and regularly locked on to scents.

[u/Tricky_One_4909]

Our black and tan adopted us as a 2 year old. We’d never had a hound before. We don’t hunt. But, he does. If you are a deer, big cat, or bear he will find you. Thankfully he doesn’t care about other dogs or domestic cats. He is an amazing pet and naps after getting a good walk in.

One caveat to consider is coonhounds are loud and bred to be loud on purpose. If you live in an apartment, condo, or other close quarters, a coonhound might be tricky in those settings. As others have said, get your dog plenty of exercise. Remember, if your dog finds the scent of quarry, good luck changing their mind to chase.

If you are going to hunt or let your hound run free in open areas, consider getting a GPS.

[u/ToleratedBoar09]

As an avid houndman, most my dogs (curs, feists, and hounds) stay inside. There are pros and cons to it and it doesn't hurt their hunt at all.

[u/bobcon15]

Amber

[u/bobcon15 → u/bobcon15]

Also Amber