Hunting With Dogs: Training And Safety Tips

Hunting with your dog is an exhilarating way to experience the outdoors with your furry friend. Many hunting breeds were actually developed specifically to find, clear or retrieve prey. But that doesn't mean your dog automatically knows what to do when hunting.

Before looking for game with your canine companion, you need to train your dog. In addition to helping you find and retrieve the prey you're after, dogs must also get used to loud sounds like gunshots. You will also need to carry the proper hunting gear you need to keep your dog safe and satisfied in the wild.

Get your dog used to gunshots

The gunshots are loud and may scare your dog away during the hunt. This is why gun training is so important.

Cara Harper is an expert in the field and often hunts with her Labrador retrievers, Nita and Rou. Harper and her husband trained their pups by running a terrier for dogs, throwing a bait "bumper" for the dogs to fetch, while one of them started shooting 100 yards away，As the dog left for retrieval, the shooter fired a shot. 

Train your dog to help locate games

"Obligation is the cornerstone upon which all other training is built," Harper affirms. If dogs don't sit/stay for short periods of time in a stand, they can't control themselves sitting in an exciting duck hunting game.

Trainer Barton Ramsey recommends starting obedience training at 8 weeks and recovery training at 6 to 7 months, which equips the dog with the necessary skills and physical ability to handle more demanding tasks.

When teaching dogs to find and clear prey, Harper recommends regular quarter training. Quarter training teaches your dog to run back and forth in a zigzag pattern in front of you. This allows them to find more game lines than straight. You can set up the bumper to guide your dog in this way and use light arm movements to help guide your dog. After the dog approaches each bumper, compliment or treat your puppy.

Train your dog to retrieve games

A great way to train a hound to retrieve game is to use bait to simulate a hunting scenario. repetitive training

on land and water. This helps the dog adapt to different types of terrain.

We're going to have a bird boy in a field a hundred yards or so, blowing a duck call and catapulting the bumper into the air so the dog sees it fall, says trainer Bob Owens. The dog will then run out and bring back the bumper.

Eventually, the dog learns to watch the falling birds in the sky and mark their locations so your dog knows where to find them for retrieval.

Blind retrieval training is also critical. It allows you to guide a dog to a falling bird that the dog may not have seen.

While it takes diligent training to perfect, Harper recommends learning to guide your dog through a series of whistles and/or gestures.

Test hunting skills and intensive training

Before you start hunting, see if your dog has what it takes to become a skilled hunting dog by participating in the AKC.

Retriever field trials and hunting tests. Harper regularly participates in both activities with her dog. The Hunter test helps show you how good it is.

Your dog will perform live. Meanwhile, field trials allow more experienced dogs to show off their skills in the hunt. These activities target the unique skills of different breeds, including pointers, hounds and spaniels.

Owens and his dog also regularly participate in AKC and Master National Retriever Club events. These are not the only activities that ensure his dog is ready for the hunt, they also keep the dog active and healthy during the off-season.

Pack proper hunting supplies

While hunting, you'll want to bring some gear to keep your furry friend comfortable and safe. Jennifer Daniela often hunts with her Labrador retriever, L.K. And Beagles, Remingtons and Berettas. Availability may vary by type.

Every time I take my dog hunting, I have a first aid kit full of bandage material, wound care supplies and other emergency supplies, Danella said. For waterfowl hunting, my hunting dog, L.K., wears a buoyancy vest. She has her own hunting blind and raised stand to keep her warm and safe in the elements.

Melissa Bachman hunts with her dog Pork Chop and brings plenty of supplies to keep her well nourished and hydrated. She avoids any stinky dog problems by carrying some cleaning supplies.