Posted: 10/2/2010 4:06:25 PM EDT
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Hey folks, Need a little help here on how to get started training my dog to Track. He's a Mutt, only part scent hound, but he's got a REALLY healthy play drive, and spends most of his time with his nose on the ground, I'd like to start training him, ot at least try to see if he'd be suitable. Anyone ahve any tips or resources like books i can look into??
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| If he's a puppy and your wanting to train it for a certain type of tracking. As in coon, rabbit, squirrel, etc. Get a piece of the animals hide tail of a squirrel works great with squirrel training. Use the hide when playing with them. I would tie a squirrel tail to the line on a fishing pole. Stand by a tree with him in another spot. Throw the tail near him reel it in with him chasing. When he gets close dangle it on the side of a tree just out of his reach every once in a while let him get it. This and letting them hunt with dogs that are dedicated to hunting has worked for me in the past. Makes me miss my old Black and Tan thinking about all the time we spent in the woods. |
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http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/search/label/Search%20and%20Rescue
i'd fire some questions off to Xavier, a 1911 fan and a search-and-rescue dog guy. |
| Teaching a dog to track is potentially a time-consuming and involved process. Many dogs will naturally track as part of their hunting instinct, but teaching them to follow a scent or person you choose is more involved. I recommend you see if there is a Schutzhund club in your area http://www.dvgamerica.com/ since tracking is 1 of the 3 phases of Schutzhund. Alternatively, if you are interested in S&R, contact the local S&R team as they will be involved in dog training as well. |