Dogs are helpful for hunters when they go hunting in some places, especially in forests. However, to have good hunting dogs, you need to take time to train them. Dogs are just a kind of animal, and they learn what people teach them to do or do things following their instinct. You don’t need to be a professional for hunting dogs; you can try to read some kinds of hunting dog training books to help you train your dog to be a good hunting one.
“How To Help Gun Dogs To Train Themselves” By The Author Joan Bailey
If you think that training dogs can be a difficult task, you will find you wrong with that kind of book. It has over 130 pages of images for instructions turning your dog into a hunting dog without effort. The best thing about instructions is based on positive training methods and affection. Training dogs doesn’t mean that you are doing tasks with a kind of animal. Instead, dogs can understand what you do for them with love or without love.
Positively Gundog Training, By Robert Milner
Although there is some confusion about how to train dogs to become good hunting dogs, Robert Milner tries to help people know how to train a dog with his love and affection with his own experience. People love his way of training and think it’s fine totally, but some people will find their way out of the profession.
“Game Dogs: The Hunter’s Retrievers For Upland Birds and Waterfowl” by Richard A. Wolters
You’re maybe surprised to know that this book was published a long time ago. It was first published in 1961. Many people bought it because of its scientific methods, and the writer also gave readers more details on how to train dogs when they got older. Readers felt happy and satisfied with his kind of book.
Training Your Pointing Dog For Hunting And Home, By Richard Weaver
With this kind of book, readers will have an easy way to train their dogs with some methods they like. It’s not too professional, but it shows people how to train a dog from its pup. Hunting dog training books like this one is good enough for people to know. It also has a clear plan for everyone to follow easily.
Force-free Gundog Training: The Fundamental For Success By Jo Laurens
Most readers show their love for this book because they can learn many valuable things from the book. The great thing is that people shouldn’t try their best to learn, and applying theories from the book is also simple for them. Some people find more interest in Jo Laurens’s methods, while others like these other authors more. It depends on. However, it would help if you learned a lot from it more than you try to do things yourself without any help.
Some Ways Of Training A Hunting Dog
Hounds are descended from domestic dogs that were bred and trained for hunting. These dogs are used to assist humans in hunting by sniffing or chasing other animals. Although hounds are swift and have a keen sense of smell, they can see through smell to locate prey. The basic types of hunting dogs are as follows:
- Hunting Hounds: These are hunting dogs that mainly use sight and speed for hunting instead of patiently sniffing for their targets. Greyhound is the typical breed for this type of hunting dog. This breed of hunting dog lives in packs and often works together to attack prey.
- A sniffing hound often assists hunters in hunting birds. Sniffing hounds are dogs that point out the location and retrieve their prey when the hunter has shot the prey.
Most hounds usually possess a low body along with long ears that bring them sensitive noses. The large hound’s deep nostrils make it easier for them to handle the odors they sniff. The sight of the hound is high, and the eyes are large and sharp. They have long, agile legs that help them chase and keep their prey in sight. Some hound breeds can be much slower than others, but they can detect prey even though it went along after, even over water.
Simple training skills
For breed dogs, the instinct to hunt is always hidden within them. Try putting any object in front of them for a few seconds. Make sure the dog has a clear view of the object and then throw it away. At the same time, shout a specific command, for example, “find,” “catch.” When the dog has gnawed on the “booty,” shout “back.” Remember to prepare food and reward them every time you complete a mission.
In some cases, dogs are naughty and do not return after gnawing. Tie a long rope to the dog’s body (about 5m-10m) and throw objects within that line. If the dog has moved away, pull the leash and signal the dog to return to you. For standard dog breeds, you should let the dog play with the object first when the dog is used to playing with the object. Then, take it back and let the dog bite the toy a few times before applying the above exercise.
If you are looking for some resources on simple dog training skills, MOS 13J: Army Fire Control Specialist – Hood MWR can help you improve your dog’s listening and obedience skills. Check out their training techniques and see how it can help you train your hunting dog.
How to Train Harder Exercises
Dogs can’t complete exercises immediately. To train a natural hunting dog, you still have to teach the dog the basics first. The exercises to walk, stand, lie down, sit, and pick up things will build a bond between the dog and the owner. Dogs learn to listen to orders and obey orders.
The next step is to teach the dog how to distinguish between lures and prey. The lure here is a trap when hunting, something to lure the prey into a hook. Wouldn’t it be wrong if the hound kept galloping up to attack the decoy, even before the prey appeared, wouldn’t it? Usually, you will teach dogs to distinguish through scent. A dog’s excellent sense of smell will tell it which animal does not need to attack and let go. Then, after a good practice, let the dog participate in actual hunting sessions.
Nothing is more powerful than hands-on experiences. Dogs have to get used to more extensive situations and spaces. Dogs must get used to gunfire, screams and distinguish the commands of the owner and other people.
Notes When Training Hounds
Break it up into short sessions, about 10 minutes. Gradually increase the difficulty and time according to the dog’s age and responsiveness. One of the ways to train them effectively. For example, if you choose a hunting object with a moderate weight, the dog has enough strength to return the prey to the owner. When the dog shows signs of distraction, stop the training session, let the dog play freely.
To be a hunting dog does not depend too much on a breed. Most dog breeds have an excellent instinct to do this. But if you need a natural hunting dog, breed selection is part of training a hunting dog. For example, domestic dogs are often afraid of gunfire; they can panic and lose control when hearing gunshots.
Here are some hunting dog training books and some more ways to train a dog. I hope you find it’s good enough for you to start a new thing most effectively. I find it not too difficult to train your dog the way you like.
