You will love your Bluetick. Hounds are not like other dogs. They have a different smell and are well a hound. They should not be left loose, the whole world is there hunting grounds. They can be trained very well, smart and loyal. I had my Bluetick 13 years, sad day when she had to be put down. Good nose wonderful tree dog. I discovered she would hunt pheasants. If the bird ran she would open like it was a coon. My son got his first pheasant when he was 9 with her. My family never forgets Bess. Never got a cougar but bobcats and coons.