Dog for shed hunting

[mainetrappa]

I've been hooked by the the shed hunting bug! Found a nice set last spring while turkey scouting and have the fever ever since. Anyway I'm getting a Rat Terrier this weekend, 7 weeks old. I'm a trapper, and fiddlehead picker. I've want a dog that can hang out with me so to speak. I'm very interested in training this dog to locate sheds. I know there is a guy out west who has a web site that one can buy a pamphlet with his technique (and I may do it) but I was wondering if anyone here has had success training a dog to do this, and if so how. Hope this isn't rude to ask. I've been lurking here for a little while now. Lookslike some very good shed hunters here. Nice pic also!
Thanks
Colin
aka mainetrappa

 

[TNDEERHUNTER]

mainetrappa, Welcome to JHP!!!! I have also wondered the same thing. If you find out any info. let me know. I love to go out and hunt sheds. I think it would be nice to have a dog trained to find them.

 

[Canus latrans]

Hey fellas,
I have been experimenting with my two labs. They need to recover sheds that have no scent, just be able to recognize and pick up. So far, they will pick up the sheds that I plant around the field and even in the river. Each will pick up a shed that is under a foot of water. I do that to help eliminate the odor from their saliva or my hand from previous uses. I haven't had a chance to really get them out on the real thing yet.
At first, I would plant the shed out where they could easily see them. They didn't take too long to get the idea about the pick up and retrieve. Now I plant the sheds in more difficult areas, and not in plain sight. The under water stuff started out as a technigue to wash the shed down, but they really like that part.
My yellow lab is the best about an immediate retrieve. The black sometimes stops and starts to chew a little, so she will need some work.
Please let me know how your efforts are working, and I will relate any experiences also.
By-the-way, can you find that dog trainer's name who has done some of this work.
Related shed work: check the Tule Elk sheds below. The dogs did not go out that day - stupid on my part.

 

[mainetrappa]

Going to pick up pup this morning. The web address is http://www.deersheddog.com/ for the info I've sent away for. I sent for it on Weds. I've also been talking to some very good dog trainers. Of course I'll still be looking for that needle in the haystack with my own eyes! Thankyou for welcoming me here.

 

[wmidbrook]

I'm planning on training my lab to sniff out and retrieve sheds when she gets a bit older. Good to hear you're having success with starting your labs on shedding Dave.

Thanks for the link MaineT.