Training to Track

BassHunter25

Senior Member
Looking for tips and constructive criticism on training my lab to track dead or wounded deer. He is successfully found a few including a gut shot spike still alive which he bayed.
Not sure what else to do besides get on actual tracks.
 

Hillbilly stalker

Senior Member
Your dog looks good bud. He looks like he is young. Something you may want to consider is the fact that your trucks exhaust is contaminating and partially washing out your deer track. You may try using a long cane pole, maybe 8-12 foot. That will keep your dog from tracking your footsteps with the deer's. You mite want to read up on the difference between a tracking dog and a trailing dog. Most people don't know the difference and some dogs do a combination of the 2. Your on the right track and the dog is doing great. Believe it or not, most deer tracks, the blood is the last thing a dog works off of. Deer have a gland between their split hoof that admits an odor, that's how bucks track does. When a deer is excited or scared, fear scent or adrenalin puts off an extra strong odor. A gut shot deer is actually one of the easiest for a dog to follow because of the odor. You are doing a good thing by giving your dog a little time out of the truck when you pull up. This gives them time to void themselves and flush out their nose of other odors. Actual tracks, even if the location is know, are going to be your best teacher. When you run a tracking dog it is vitally important to be able to read the dog. The 2 most important times are when he "finds" a track, and when he shows a loss of track. You can go back and watch your own videos and find/see them. Sometimes its best not to speak to dog when he is focused on re locating the track.....if he's working, let him work. Only encourage him when he is loosing focus or distracted. I'd say your on the right track with him, maybe go by a buddies and get a fresh leg off a deer and it will have that gland scent odor. That's a fine looking dog and it looks like yall are gonna make a team. Dogs learn thru repetition. Put him on every track you can. Good luck.
 

WOODIE13

2023 TURKEY CHALLENGE 1st place Team
Your dog looks good bud. He looks like he is young. Something you may want to consider is the fact that your trucks exhaust is contaminating and partially washing out your deer track. You may try using a long cane pole, maybe 8-12 foot. That will keep your dog from tracking your footsteps with the deer's. You mite want to read up on the difference between a tracking dog and a trailing dog. Most people don't know the difference and some dogs do a combination of the 2. Your on the right track and the dog is doing great. Believe it or not, most deer tracks, the blood is the last thing a dog works off of. Deer have a gland between their split hoof that admits an odor, that's how bucks track does. When a deer is excited or scared, fear scent or adrenalin puts off an extra strong odor. A gut shot deer is actually one of the easiest for a dog to follow because of the odor. You are doing a good thing by giving your dog a little time out of the truck when you pull up. This gives them time to void themselves and flush out their nose of other odors. Actual tracks, even if the location is know, are going to be your best teacher. When you run a tracking dog it is vitally important to be able to read the dog. The 2 most important times are when he "finds" a track, and when he shows a loss of track. You can go back and watch your own videos and find/see them. Sometimes its best not to speak to dog when he is focused on re locating the track.....if he's working, let him work. Only encourage him when he is loosing focus or distracted. I'd say your on the right track with him, maybe go by a buddies and get a fresh leg off a deer and it will have that gland scent odor. That's a fine looking dog and it looks like yall are gonna make a team. Dogs learn thru repetition. Put him on every track you can. Good luck.
Spoken like a dog handler, agree with you.

You may want to consider using a 360" leash or long line to "guide" him on the track and slow him down just a lil. We have to have our dogs leashed here for tracking wounded game.

He looks good, nothing more age and training won't fix.
 
Top