Introduction
Shed hunting is an emerging sport that involves searching for antlers shed by deer, elk, or moose. It’s a great way to get some exercise and bond with your dog while enjoying the outdoors. However, teaching a dog to shed hunt requires patience and dedication. Here are some tips on how to teach your furry friend this exciting skill.
Start With Basic Obedience Training
Before you even think about shedding hunting, make sure your dog has mastered basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come and heel. These commands will form the foundation of training for shed hunting since they will help control your dog in the field. If you have never trained your furry friend before, consider enrolling them in obedience classes with a professional trainer.
Introduce Them To Shed Antlers
The next step is introducing your canine companion to antlers themselves so that they can learn what they’re looking for when out in the field. You can start by simply placing an antler on the ground and encouraging them to sniff it or play with it. Once they become comfortable around antlers, hide one somewhere nearby and encourage them to find it using their nose.
Making A Scent Trail
As soon as dogs catch up on what scent interests them most (which should be easy since dogs are naturally drawn towards scents), let’s create a simple scent trail by dragging an old antler along paths where other deer have been known not long ago; consequently marking its location at regular intervals with treats or praise whenever possible.
Rewarding Their Progression And Patience
Remember always use positive reinforcement during training sessions rather than punishment because all progress deserves recognition no matter how small those steps may seem initially but eventually add up over time! When you witness any breakthroughs like finding an ancient antler or making trails, consider rewarding your dog with treats, verbal praise, or playtime as a reward. Positive reinforcement encourages dogs to continue their training and improves the bond between you and your four-legged friend.
Conclusion
As you can see, teaching a dog to shed hunt requires time and effort but it’s worth it for both of you! With patience and dedication, your furry friend will become an expert at finding antlers in no time. Just remember that every pooch learns differently so be patient with them throughout the process. Have fun learning together!
