If you’re planning to have a hunting dog, there are a lot of things that you should think about first. When you ask other hunters regarding their hunting dog training, you will find different answers. Some would say it was pretty easy and simple, while others would say it was really difficult. Do you want to know why? Hunting dogs are easier to teach when they come from a certain hunter’s herding line.

That’s right. Simply put, it all boils down on the parents and grandparents of the dog. If their line is strictly bred for hunting purposes, the easier it is to train the dog to obey and listen. You can actually look for breeders who specialize in hunting dogs. These people use the process of selective breeding in order to ensure that a particular hunting breed is maintained.

Visit the breeder’s kennel and choose a puppy that you might be interested in. Once you have chosen a certain puppy, you should then ask the breeders about the parents of the puppy. Ask what certain hunting abilities the parents possessed. Don’t forget to learn as much as you can about the breed that you selected.

When training for hunting dogs, keep in mind that the most important aspect of your training is obedience. Without obedience, you cannot have any significant development in your training. You should make sure that the dog respects you as his owner. Treat him with respect as well by being kind and treating him just like a member of the family.

The importance of basic commands is second to none. This is the foundation of all other commands. The basic commands include stay, sit, come, and down. Teach this commands as early as you can.

Distance training is also important when hunting dog training. It’s a fact that you won’t be working in close range with your dog most of the time. Certain situations may demand a long distance command to be executed. To do this, give out the commands in a gradually increasing distance. First, move a few meters away from your dog and see how he will react. Once successful, increase the range again. Do this continuously until the dog can work with you in long distances. This can be very handy on hunting trips.

To sum up, hunting dog training is really a matter of dedication and finding the right breed for you. Setbacks are expected in the training process, but that shouldn’t discourage you. This is normal as not everything runs smoothly as expected. Good luck in your hunting dog training!

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image by nugefishes' from flickr

The excitement of the stalking, the tense moments of the struggle, and the thrill of the kill are aspects of the sport of hunting which hunters are very much addicted to. However, the chores of hunting can sometimes be very onerous. Searching for a game, for example, can take a few hours. And once you’ve brought them down, searching for the bodies for clean-up can take just as much time.

Things would be easier, of course, if you have helpful hunting dog with a keen sense of smell and who could easily point you to the right direction. This is the reason why, throughout the years, many hunters have found efficient and faithful friends in dogs. Hunting dogs do exhibit an extraordinary sense for scents and sight. They could pick up a trail of any scent they are trained to find. And they could make hunting fun and enjoyable because of the convenience of their pointing, retrieving and hunting skills.

Not all dogs are meant for hunting, however. Dogs of the toy variety, for example, are not really trainable for hunting dogs. Some canine types possess a stronger sense of smell as well as the required aptitude for hunting activities. Others are best left as guard dogs or indoor companions.

Top Breeds For Hunting Dog Training

So what are the dogs that can greatly help you in some hunting purposes? Here is a list of hunting dog breeds that you could invest on.

• Hounds. There are many breeds of hounds. They are named as such because they possess the most powerful sense of smell among all the breeds of dogs there are. Investing on hounds is a “can’t miss” option for hunters, whether they are planning on preying on some birds, deer, wild boars and the likes. Hunting dog training is easy for hounds, since these dogs are meant for the outdoors. It is their environment. Whenever they are in grasslands or in the forests, hounds are in their natural element.

• Labradors. The All American, All Purpose dog is also a great choice, not just for hunting purposes, but for a variety of tasks as well. Labradors are one of the most intelligent breeds of canine companions in the world. Even pups would be very easy to train. Though they may not have the keen sense of smell that hounds possess, they more than make up for it with their obedience and their general aptitude. They work well with minimal supervision, and they are tireless companions that will always be eager to please their masters.

• American bulldogs. Bulldogs have a sense of smell that could rival hounds, though they could be a little slower. Nonetheless, many hunters profess that American bulldogs are the best catch dogs in the world of hunting. They are taken in for specific purposes and to satisfy specific aspects of hunting. As such, they are recommended for seasoned hunters who know what they want. A novice hunter should stick with the breeds that show more versatility and have more natural apptitude for hunting dog training.
• Argentine dogos. These are dogs that would make you believe that they are bred for hunting. They are fast and strong, and they could easily hurdle the rigors of the hunting game. Though they do trail behind in the sniffing prowess department, their agility, flexibility and versatility more than makes up for what they lack in their sense of smell.

Of course, it goes without saying that hunting dogs, regardless of breed, need to go through serious training. Additionally, you should take good care of them, as the rigors of hunting can take their toll on your faithful canine companions. These aside, hunting dogs are great options for the serious hunter.

James

(Original article sourced from here)

Related posts:

1. Dont Forget The Basics Of Hunting Dog Training
2. Training Your Hunting Dog To Avoid Snakes
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