Training A Shed Dog

Mossygirl · Jul 21, 2009

I have a 4 month old white lab, I have been trying to train her for shed hunting since she was about 7 weeks old. Right now she will fetch a small shed every time I throw it out for her in the backyard, but she will not go hunting for it when i hide it. I use treats to reward her when she brings the shed back to me, but I tried hiding one and she just wanted to play with me and not look for it, any suggestions and ideas would be great.

NvrEnuf · Jul 22, 2009

Try throwing the shed out in the same area a few different times for a couple of days. Throw it on the grass or in an area where she can see it and each time and tell her the same command. Maybe something like "Find the shed!" or whatever you decide. After a couple of days take her back to the same place you've been standing when you threw the antler only this time have it already laying over in that area. Tell her to "Find the shed!" and she should know just what you're talking about. From that point just expand the area that she has to look to find the antler and she will learn. The tricky part is getting them to bring you an antler when neither of you know it's there. They have to want to bring the antler to you so find out what she craves be it food/treats/praise or whatever and make sure you give her plenty of it when she does good.

Good luck!

NvrEnuf

NvrEnuf · Jul 22, 2009

I forgot to mention one more thing. Once she gets it down visually you'll need to start making her use her nose to find the antlers as well. Get to a point where you can hide the antler completely in a bush or something so she has to sniff it out. Be sure to bring her in down wind so that will be possible. My dog (also a lab) has smelled fresh brown antlers from as far as 25 to 30 yards. More often she picks up the scent around 10 yards though.

Good luck!

NvrEnuf