hoytguy08 Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 I have been wanting to train my black lab how to hunt sheds but i'm not really sure how to go about doing that. I've read some articles on it but they weren't very specific. Does anybody have any tips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Re: shed hunting dog I have a golden retriever, when he was a pup the only thing I would let him play with was an antler. No Tennis ball, no toys from the store nothing. Just a small shed antler. He chewed on it and loved it. As he got older I would hide it and make him go find it. Or toss it and tell him "find your antler". He learned what it was, and still knows. As he got older I would hide it and make him go find it. I would try to clean the antler and my hands so none of my scent would be on the antler so he would smell for the antler and not me. He got pretty good. But I was working with him alot. Actually got my wife to help some. The down fall is as I got way busier at work my time to work with him decreased. And so he is not as good at it as he could have been. But he does go out with me everytime I go and a few times he has lead me to antlers. Ever time we go I take an old antler with me and will try and throw it, in a direction he is not. Then go that direction so he does find. That seems to keep him interested. Of course if there is a lot of antlers in your area that may not be a problem. But it helps in my area. Recently a few weeks ago he found an small match set. I would have never found them had it not been for him so I give him all the credit for those. Is he an expert like the ones you read about in magazines Nope, but it is awesome when he finds one. I have read in some other articles to go hide one somewhere then a few days later take your dog out and have him/her find it. And of course LOT and LOT of praise and reward when they do good. Dont forget to have and make it fun for him/her. Hope this helps, Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Re: shed hunting dog Need2hunt is trying to train his lab to retrieve them. He might have some tips for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoytguy08 Posted March 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Re: shed hunting dog She's an older dog(5 yrs.) so it might be harder to train her but I've been having her fetch a small shed and lately have been hiding it in brush and pockets of timber, then I get her and tell her to "find a bone" she's doing pretty well but i will put some of these new tips to use, thanks and anything else u kno would be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoytguy08 Posted March 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 Re: shed hunting dog thanks guys, i have been using your tips and sadie is already bringin me antlers i hide in the yard I took her out tonight and just walked through the pastures and she would just walk out in front of me about 20 yds and when she caught scent of an antler she would take off and get it and then bring it back to me and get her treat This weekend i'm takin her out in the timber and i'll post any pics we get if she finds some. thanks again for the tips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need2hunt Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 Re: shed hunting dog hoyt, IMO it sounds like you are doing it the right way. I basically did the same sort of thing, started with fetching an antler, then hiding it and having her find it and then onto field work. I based how I trained my dog on how I used to train bird dogs and also from the info in this ARTICLE I don't have alot to offer past that because like I said it sounds like you are doing it the right way. Only thing I'll add is the more field training you can do with her the better she will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnesotabirddog84 Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 I am also looking to train my new lab pup to find sheds i Google searched and found a guy online that sells a instructional video for $20.00 bucks not sure if its any good but i read a short article that if you have any antler sheds just start out buy hiding them in the yard and work on have the pup find them slow process but have herd it works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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