Zizzer59 Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 Hey everybody, long time no see! I lost my password in the upgrade so I just didn't fool with it for a little bit. I recently received a Chocolate Lab pup but he is only four weeks old. The mom weened the pups too early so the owner needed them gone. Does anyone have any experience training dogs for shed hunting or tracking wounded deer? How long should I wait until I start training him? Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 Welcome back. Dunno about training the dog, but been a few here post about using dogs maybe someone will have some tips for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 Man 4 weeks is way too early to have a pup. I'd talk to your vet. Check out Bone dog and Tom Dokken for training tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Wow 4 weeks?!? I sure don't envy you! Good luck. I just got a yellow female 7 weeks old. My girls are training her right now to catch cheese singles. She looks like she's catching on quickly too! Lol I quit duck hunting years ago for the most part, if I do anything with this dog I'd like to train her to be a blood dog, but she'll prob just be a pet/cheese catcher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zizzer59 Posted July 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Yeah I know its too early, but I've had him on milk replacer from a bottle since I got him. He keeps me up at night, that's for sure. Its a lot of work but acts like a perfectly healthy pup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 You'll do fine with a 4 week old. Puppy milk replacer is great but you can start giving the pup some dog food. Just take some dry puppy good and soak it in water and let it become mush and let the puppy start eating/licking the food. You should be done with the milk replacer in a week. Start your first vaccines at 6 weeks of age and give boosters every 3 weeks till 16 weeks of age. Your pup needs to be dewormed with pyrantal (strongid or nemex) starting now and every 2 weeks for 3 dewormings. Start a heartworm prevention after 7 weeks of age. I'd just find a good book or video on shed hunting but the best thing you can do is force fetch the pup---but that won't start until your pup is 6 months of age. I'm a big believer in collar conditioning and hunting lab (using an e-collar) but you need to get with someone who knows what they are doing. If done correct it makes a very obedient enjoyable dog. I never trained my labs to track deer but it comes pretty naturally with them. I would have never found a buck i shot if i wouldn't have had Belle (black lab) with me. After looking for an hour for blood I finally got her and she was on blood within 5 minutes. Found the deer within 20 minutes with the dog. Never trained her to shed hunt but I think it would be pretty easy if you have a fetchy pup. good luck todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zizzer59 Posted July 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 Thanks Todd! You just answered a lot of questions for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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