A Yellow Lab pup being coaxed into the water during training
Training your dog to hunt can be both a very rewarding and very challenging experience. Depending on what type of game you intend to hunt can determine which type of dog will work best for you. Whether it is birds, or larger game, there is a dog out there for you, and training your new pup to accompany you out on future hunting excursions can be a great bonding activity, as well as something that benefits you both. This article will give you some tips on training your new canine for those cold winter mornings!
Instructions
Picking the right dog and the training routine
1. Decide what you want the dog to hunt. Will you be hunting waterfowl? Or maybe running rabbits or deer? Bear hunting? Coons? Dove or quail? Most types of bird hunting, whether it be upland bird (Quail, grouse etc.) or waterfowl (ducks, geese) are performed using a retriever of some sort- with the upland bird-dog usually being a pointer. Labrador retrievers, Goldens, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are all common water-fowling dogs. English pointers, German short hair pointers, and spaniels are often used for quail and grouse. Beagles are often used to run deer and rabbits, while hounds are the choice most often for bear and raccoon hunting. Some dogs can multi-task and hunt other types of game readily, some cannot. Just remember to train them for each type of game you intend to hunt.
2. Getting the basics down. You'll be hard pressed to get your new pup to retrieve and pick up scent trails right away and perform flawlessly unless he knows basic commands first. You must establish that you are the boss, and the pup needs to do what you tell him, when you tell him. Not when he feels like it. "NO" in a stern voice is a command you'll become very acquainted with! "Sit" and "Stay" are two commands that must be drilled into the pup's head. How do you do this? There is no secret. Repetition. You need to practice it with your dog over and over and over again. "NO" must be used when he strays off, but be sure to reward the pup when a command is followed properly and be sure to praise him generously. There won't be much incentive for the dog if he doesn't think he's getting something out of it.
3. Train specifically: After you've begun to get the basics down, you can move to more specific training. For retrievers, this usually involves introducing them to the water. Most dogs will take to the water readily, especially Labs, but you may have to do some coaxing in case the little tyke is scared. Basic retrieving drills should be performed at home in the back yard before attempting any retrieves in the water. It can be hard enough on a young dog to try and maintain focus on land, let alone while paddling away in the water! Puppies become distracted incredibly easy when they are young, so don't be surprised when Fido runs to get the training dummy, and then once in mouth, he drops it and scampers off to eat weeds or dirt! Again, repetition is the key. And don't forget to praise the dog. Many owners give small treats each time the pup performs well.
4. Show them the ropes: Dogs used to hunting quail or run deer or rabbits are often aided by the presence of an older dog to show them the ropes. Pointers often have an incredible amount of natural instinct to track birds and point but it never hurts to have a mature hunting dog there to show them the ropes. They always need work on retrieving. The same goes for Beagles and hounds that are used to run after game. They will have a certain amount of instinct, and may take off once they find a scent trail, but they need to know what to do once they smell the game. Most of the time these type of hunts involve dogs hunting in packs, so usually a younger dog will try and keep up with his elders, learning from them.
5. Put forth effort: But, no matter what you intend to hunt, you have to be willing to put in time every single day to work your dog. Repetition is the mother of skill, and they will get better even if in the beginning it seems hopeless. As they mature, "Sit" Stay" "Come" will become second nature, as will "Dead Bird!" It just takes practice, at home and in the hunting environment. So, in the end, what does it really take to train your dog to hunt? Time. Good luck! Be patient!
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