Training dog's for shed hunting

[coyotebandit]

I have heard and read about it, but is does it actually work better than just looking yourself?

I found a site where you can buy instructions on how to train your dog fo $15.

Training dogs to find shed antlers

I was thinking about trying to train my dog to find them, anyone willing to give up their methods for free?

I know this subject was posted a long time ago, just wondering if there were any updates, or new members to "shed" light on the subject.

 

[Shag]

Hey, I think any hunting type or retriever type pup could be trained to find em. My guess is that they smell enough for a dog to get em once you get him understanding what he's looking for. The deer gland scent and odor around the bases would be enough right there...plus I understand Yotes pee on em and that would make em stand out as well. I hear occasionally of folks untrained dogs bring in sheds to chew on (sometimes nice ones), so it's a natural thing to some degree I suppose. Good luck! Man, just think what you might find with a 4 legged buddy pounding the ground with ya.

 

[deershed]

I've always wanted to get a dog and train to find sheds.I always took the kids,but the older boy out did me with the elk sheds this year.He's not going next year.

I searched for anything I could find on dogs and shedhunting and only found the link you've found.
I would think if the got the dog started at an early age with sheds it would be second nature for him as Shag stated.Instead of tossing a ball toss a shed.

 

[Canus latrans]

I have two labs that I work with. Each of the dogs will pick up the sheds on sight. They certainly will retrieve the sheds if I toss them. They love to go into the river and pick them up. The river routine is mostly for fun and to let them get into the water. I also use the river to wash off the scent from my hands.
I purchased the small book and use some of his techniques. But, I want to find out how to put a familiar smell on my practice sheds, that will duplicate the fresh ones that we are looking for.
I took my smallest lab up to the wintering grounds this spring and we only found two. On one occassion, I saw her just walk right by a nice 4x4 and not pick up any smell. So far, they are doing okay on visuals.
The author of the 'small book' on shed dogs has used muts that he finds in the dog pound and they are working out great.
http://community.webshots.com/user/daheffner

 

[mainetrappa]

I'm currently training a dog to hunt sheds based on Jerry Carlson's methods. I bought his pamphlet from his web site. It was worth the $. The most important thing about training a dog is to work with your dog everyday and be patient. I had the pleasure of having him visit me here in Maine. The man knows dogs! My pup is only 5 months old so I'm still in the basic phase of this, but so far the pup is exceeding my expectations. I chose a Rat Terrier (standard size) for shed hunting as this breed is very smart and trainable. I'll let you all know how this progresses. In the meantime I strongly recomend www.deersheddog.com.

 

[PowDuck]

Interesting subject. Here's what I got when I tried the link:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Deer Shed Dog Training has been removed from the Internet.[/b]

 

[mainetrappa]

Yep, don't know why that site is gone now. I'm doing his training program and it is working wonderfully. My dog is really coming along.

 

[buckhunter24]

Mainetrappa : How long have you been working on the program? I was just curious as to when i should start working on training a dog. I figure it would probably take a few months. How well is your dog doing?

 

[cavey]

buckhunter24,

Holy happy $#!%,

Just checked out your web shots, that is a load of sheds.....

 

[mainetrappa]

My dog is 8 months old and I started him whem he was 7 mos old. I was going to wait until he was a year old but he started to show signs he was ready sooner. He is doing better than I expected this soon. He is retrieving sheds that are laying in the grass and bringing them back to me with very little guidance. I work with him for 15 minutes a day. On weekends I may work with him twice a day. I notice that many shed dogs are retreiver types, but I decided to go with the Standard Rat Terrier (fiest). My dog weights 22 pounds, has long legs for snow, is fast, and is very intelligent, but is light enough for working in the snow. when I've been out picking fiddleheads this dog at 3-4 mos was bringing back deer bones w/o any training. I really think it's important not to start a dog too soon, give them time to be a puppy and establish a strong bond with the pup. Training becomes much easier after that.

 

[mainetrappa]

I just got off the phone with Jerry Carlson, he took the web site down for the summer but will be putting it back up soon. Just keep checking. His program works well.

 

[buck59]

To bad the web site canceled the info but you guys have some great info your self.
The recent North American Whitetail Magazine has a great article on training dogs for shed hunting. I plan on trianing my next dog I get.

 

[deershed]

I got myself a Brittany and plan on trying her out at shedhunting.She's only 12 wks. old,but will pick the shed over ball everytime.
I'd like to get a copy of Jerry Carlson's method, til then I try and make sheds and antlers a part of her daily activities.
Watch out Shag!!

 

[deershed]

There's an article in the Sept 03 issue of North American Whitetail called "Dogs That Find Shed Antlers".
Check it out!!

 

[baddison]

OK,

Once again reading these threads has got me excited about shed hunting. I'm starting my search for a dog.

Thanks alot guys....another mouth to feed.

 

[davidj7]

Anybody know where i can get the book about training my dog?

Is Jerry Carlson going to put his website back up?

 

[baddison]

The last I heard was in this link. "He has it down for the summer but, it will be back up soon."


The summer has been over for a while now. Maybe we can get Maintrappa to call him again and see what the deal is or see how we could get our hands on the book.

 

[mainetrappa]

I will get in touch with Jerry and see why he hasn't put the site back up yet. I know he just got back from Alaska and was real busy with x-mas trees. My dog is coming along well.

 

[coyotebandit]

Nice looking bunch of sheds, and dog too!

I guess I need to get on the ball, and do some training myself!