Are Bluetick Coonhounds easy to train?

Answer 1

Yes, Bluetick Coonhounds are easy to train.

As they are sensitive dogs, harsh methods will not work and aren't required. (Some people don't use positive training methods and then state the dog is difficult to train, or claim the dog is "stupid.") Harsh methods such as jerking on a choke chain, yelling at the dog, pinching their ears and even "making" him do something (such as pushing him into a "down") can cause the hound "to shut down" and appear untrainable. As Blueticks are very food motivated, clicker training with food as a reward makes training easy and fast! They clue in quickly about trying different behaviours to get that reward! Blueticks are also very intelligent dogs, and can figure out very quickly if they can get away with something!

However, like all coonhounds, they can be "nose deaf" and will usually not pay attention to their handler when following a scent. This is what they were bred to do: follow a scent, tree the animal, and bay/bawl until the handler shows up.

Blueticks should not be trusted off leash (unless you're training hunting dogs), as they can run for hours following a scent. While usually great candidates for enclosed dog parks, they should not be exercised somewhere unfenced where they can "follow their noses" and not respond when you call "Come."

In competitive obedience, they have the disadvantage of having very short hair on their tummies, which can cause them "to cheat" and not lie down all the way (instead crouch with their elbows off the ground) on uncomfortable surfaces such as cold concrete. In this case, it's useful to train them to put their heads on the ground as well, so they will have to lie down "properly."

Obviously they make excellent tracking dogs, but also can compete in Rally-O, Agility, Musical Freestyle and other dog sports, and can be great, well-behaved family pets.