I want to train my rhodesian ridgeback for rabbits/small game, and is wondering if anyone has ever done or heard of anyone doing with this type of dog. We got her 3 weeks prior to my deployment so needless to say I haven't trained her yet but want to get her to do something with small game if possible even though she is a large dog (9 months old and 80#). In either case I want to get her stimulated as to what she was bred to do. Wish I could train her for bears but that would be illegal. Any suggestions will help.

Thanks

I would get her to use her nose by first laying a trail of cut up hot dogs every few feet that eventually leads to her feed bowl. Put her on a lease and make sure she uses her nose to find it. Once she is doing that then get a rabbit and drag it in stead of the hot dogs. Later you can let her find a live rabbit at the end of the trail.