training dogs to find shed antlers(pics added)

[dakids]

Has anyone ever trained a dog to find sheds?  Any help would be useful.  I have already started with a cut off from last winter and she likes to chew on it.  We will be starting slow but I don't want to do anything that I would have to untrain later.

[The General]

I can't see why it won't work.  Dogs are trained to find all kinds of things.  Why not antlers.  Good Luck!

[Benny]

Tom Dokken is training dogs to do this now, don't know the cost but I bet it is not cheap at least to have a big name like him train your dog.

He might let you in on a few tips if you call him, just google his name.

Benny

[dakids]

I have been working on Lucy retrieving balls and have now graduated to antlers.  She goes after them with a vengance.  She will retrieve about 5-7 times before getting tired and wanting to just chew on them.  She is groing fast and follows me everywhere.

[whiteoakbuck]

i have a one year old lab i am training for shed hunting she is really good at it so far the biggest thing i was told is if you have more than one dog as i do myself only let the one play with it and chew it that way it becomes only his/her toy not all of them but i will take sheds and hide them in the yard and under things and then let her out and she usally finds them fairly fast but good luck and keep posting pics as you get them its a really cool thing to own i shed hunting dog i know i enjoy it myself and hope to have many good years to come

[nontypicalhunter]

One major thing you want to remeber is to keep your traing antlers free of human scent. When throwing them for retreveing it is best to have a pair of rubber gloves or spray a cheap pair of gloves down with some scent killer and let it them dry before wearing them. Alot of the time the dog is picking up your scent on the antler vs. the scent of an actual deer. Also the fresher the antler the better, you need to have the smell of the deer on them, that is what they will be searching for when shed hunting. Reward the dog for bringing back your antler, usually a food treat works best.


Good Luck!

[dakids]

Thanks for your input.  I will be using the new eight pointers set that I hit with the car.  They have been laying out back in the weeds waiting for me to get time to work with her before the bone starts to fall this winter.

[MTCOMMER]

Bring the pup to the trails behind my house in the spring to find this 10 pointer shed.   

Let us know how well the shed hunting works - but indeed, I think that input is correct, use a set that is fresh so it can get the deer smell.  GOOD LUCK dakids!

[thunderpout]

What happens if the dog starts tracking antlers with them still on the deer?   or worse, tries bringing back a deer with a really big rack?

[Mayfly]

I was going to start this topic today but found this thread.

I have been working a lot with my dog over the past couple weeks. I think this next week will be our first time out to actually look for some antlers. I have been out with no luck but have not brought her yet. Over the last few weeks we have been going over some basic exercises. One thing we have doing which is pretty basic is just having her find the sheds in the snow. I have been trying to connect the word "antler' to the actual anlter as well. "Find the anlter".... rather than what she is trained for "find the bird". I think that association will be a big part to our success. One thing I have also done which I think may be a good tactic is cutting the antler. I took a hacksaw and cut slits into the antlers to get at the "fresh bone". This is creating more scent for her to find these antlers. If you cut an antler the human nose can smell it so I am sure that she can smell it. Lastly, among other things I have been praising that dog more than she has ever been praised before in her whole life! She is quickly (i hope) learning that antlers are going to get her more love than ever  

Well, looking forward to getting out there and seeing her find her first ever shed. Imagine how cool that would be!!! I have faith, she is an incredible bird dog, if she could just translate that into finding antlers we'll have a winner!

[whiteoakbuck]

good luck MNO hope she finds some for ya let us know how she does 

[dakids]

I'm waiting until some more of the snow melts before we head out.  I have been also working with my puppy.  She has always prefered fetching a deer horn more than a ball.  Also when we are in the house we tell her to "find the bone" and she will go nuts until she finds it.  She does have a harder time finding the sheds in the snow.  She doesn't seem to use her nose as much as she should, but she is still pretty young.  We did take her out in the back 40 and all she did was chase up the phesants (5).  She is going to be a great bird dog.

[Mayfly]

I'm waiting until some more of the snow melts before we head out.  I have been also working with my puppy.  She has always prefered fetching a deer horn more than a ball.  Also when we are in the house we tell her to "find the bone" and she will go nuts until she finds it.  She does have a harder time finding the sheds in the snow.  She doesn't seem to use her nose as much as she should, but she is still pretty young.  We did take her out in the back 40 and all she did was chase up the phesants (5).  She is going to be a great bird dog.

She isn't using her nose because she doesn't have to or isn't trained to. Change that and you may have yourself a shed dog. 

Antlers like birds should not be toys, they should be held to a higher standard. My dog loves loves loves chasing tennis balls but when she is bird hunting we could hunt through a field of tennis balls and she will not grab a single one because she is hunting for a bird. Same thing with an antler.

[dakids]

Thanks MNO!!!!!  makes perfect sence.  We don't let her chew the pheasant wings that we train her with and she has NO problem finding them.

[Mayfly]

Thanks MNO!!!!!  makes perfect sence.  We don't let her chew the pheasant wings that we train her with and she has NO problem finding them.

Good luck! I'll keep this post alive with updates from my end as well