Shed Dog Training

[DawsonC]

I'm looking for some DIY training programs for shed hunting dogs, I'm getting a new puppy in a few weeks and want to start training right away. Also this is my first time training so any advice would be awesome. TIA

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[qwerksc]

What breed of pup?

 

[DawsonC]

What breed of pup?

1/2 black lab, 1/4 wire hair pointer, 1/4 weinerimer, the dad is my parents dog and hunts small game and varmints but with minimal training (dad is half lab, half wire hair)

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[qwerksc]

They say "40% genetics, 60% environment" If you put the time in, the dog will do it all. Check out "Gundog Supply" Steve Snell has what you need.

 

[Bigboone1988]

Jeremy Moore with dogbone has a lot of good videos that you should watch.

 

[Wellsdw]

Go ahead and teach him to recover deer too. They build on each other. Start slow. Keep expectations low until he is 6-7 months old. I have I malinois I use and currently train and When he is was 3-6 months old he would have good days and bad. There was days when I might have well had my cat on leash tracking, but you can’t get frustrated. I’d highly suggest reading a book on tracking/trailing principles. I read hunt’em up. Easy read. good luck

Feel free to pm if want we can talk more

 

[Fatcamp]

In. Want him to shed, blood, and accompany on archery hunts.



He is showing promise. Seems smart and very willing to please.

 

[*zap*]

Dogs can smell sheds, the main problem with using sheds as a training tool is residual odors. Store sheds in a clean airtight container and use exam gloves when handling them. Progression would be:
Play fetch in a place where the dog can use his eyes to locate the shed piece. Make it all fun.
After doing this for quite a while and the dog shows great retrieve drive then advance to the next step in between some of the first step. So start out with fetch on open ground then toss a few into somewhat tall grass then back to open ground.
Slowly advance to all 'fetch' games to be tosses into somewhat tall grass.
All the above is with dog unrestrained but dragging a light long line so you can guide it back to you after retrieve, if necessary.
Keep it fun with praise. the above exercise's build retrieve drive.
Next step is restrain the dog and toss into tall grass. Release as soon as shed 'toy' hits ground. Gradually lengthen the time from shed hitting ground to release. This builds hunting drive.
The whole time doing all these exercise's you should be saying find shed or something similar.
Last step is to hide sheds in tall grass and bring dog out, command to find sheds.
Keep is simple, e-z and let the dog gradually have to work harder for success. You can keep a piece of shed in a belt pouch and drop it without the dog seeing you if it is having difficulty and loosing interest.
Always use as scent free toys as possible and always wear exam gloves or something similar.
Always keep dog on a long tag line so you can control the situation.
Short 'fun' sessions are best......

 

[Sheds-n-Feathers]

Currently have 3 labs being trained; 6 yr, 3 yr, and 1 yr. Pretty simple process once the basic fundamentals are reenforced especially the retrieve. All three are trained to hunt waterfowl/upland/sheds and basically just rotated daily on what was being retrieved.

 

[JBrew]

Currently have 3 labs being trained; 6 yr, 3 yr, and 1 yr. Pretty simple process once the basic fundamentals are reenforced especially the retrieve. All three are trained to hunt waterfowl/upland/sheds and basically just rotated daily on what was being retrieved.

How is your 6 year old adjusting to it, or do you know yet? Mine is a beast in the field and has a good head on him, so I've been thinking about working on the shed hunting with him.

 

[KurtR]

I will have a new lab puppy in april and was also wondering if they can do all them. It would be awesome to have him find sheds but if it will mess up the bird hunting dont know that i would mess with it

 

[Sheds-n-Feathers]

How is your 6 year old adjusting to it, or do you know yet? Mine is a beast in the field and has a good head on him, so I've been thinking about working on the shed hunting with him.

I started the 6 year old a couple of years ago, we have our struggles unlike the younger dogs since we introduced antlers right away to them. He is a natural freak when it comes to waterfowl/upland as well as a pointing. Year 1 we struggled but I believe it was due to his larynx paralysis preventing breathing and smelling and had to have surgery. We have shed hunted for deer a couple of times this season and he has found two, I would say his strength is elk sheds so this spring will be a big test. Really had to change scenery and introduce antlers a lot to really get him to understand what we are looking for. What really helped reinforce looking for sheds is when the pups had found their own and jealously kicked in which he then found his own about hour later. All else fails he is a great hiking companion and keeps the other dogs in line.

 

[Sheds-n-Feathers]

I will have a new lab puppy in april and was also wondering if they can do all them. It would be awesome to have him find sheds but if it will mess up the bird hunting dont know that i would mess with it

They can do it all if you work them especially if you reinforce the retrieve. Currently have two pups that can do it all. They will make mistakes 100% but keep working them again and again and before you know it they will become naturals.