Why Train Your Dog to Hunt Squirrels?
Squirrel hunting is a great way to bond with your furry friend, keep them active and healthy, and help manage the population of these critters. Not only that, but it’s also an enjoyable activity for you as well! However, before you start training your dog to hunt squirrels, make sure they have undergone basic obedience training first.
Selecting the Right Breed
Not all dog breeds are good for squirrel hunting. Breeds like Jack Russell Terrier and Treeing Feist have natural instincts that make them excellent squirrel hunters. Other breeds may need additional training or may not be suitable at all. Make sure to do your research on which breed would be best suited for this task.
Start with Basic Commands
Before diving into specific hunting commands, make sure your dog has mastered basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Once they have grasped these basics, gradually move onto more advanced commands such as “find it” or “tree.”
Introduce Your Dog to Scented Objects
To get your dog familiar with the scent of squirrels, introduce them to scented objects (like fur) from dead squirrels so that they can associate it with their prey. Slowly increase the difficulty by hiding objects in different locations or placing them up higher in trees.
Gradually Introduce Live Prey
Once your furry friend has become comfortable sniffing out scented objects related only to squirrel species successfully and retrieving them correctly during practice sessions under controlled environments , begin introducing him/her slowly towards live prey while ensuring their safety at every step of the way!
Keep in mind – patience is key when teaching this new skill set- take time each day consistently working towards building their confidence levels until both you & your dog are ready to go out on hunt together.
