Train Your Dog to Track Wounded Deer

As fall approaches and our minds shift to deer hunting, a common question arises: "How do I train my dog to track wounded deer?" After the 4th of July, with fireworks done and summer festivities behind us, it's the perfect time to begin training a tracking dog for deer for the fast approaching deer season. 

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The Basics of Dog Deer Tracking Training

When asked how to train a dog to track wounded deer, my response is simple. It starts with introducing dogs, no matter their breed or age, to specific scents in controlled situations and allowing them to piece together the tracking puzzle. The approach may vary depending on the dog's breed and style, but the principles remain the same. For retrieving breeds, the deer tracking game is like an extended game of fetch.

Natural Instincts
In a recent discussion with an outdoor writer, I realized that I don't train dogs to track deer any more than I train retrievers to retrieve birds or dummies. These are natural behaviors, bred into them over centuries. My role is to enhance these instincts, and bring them out through training endeavors such as laying lines and tracks with the DogBone Tracking Dog Training Kit. The key point is that training good deer tracking dogs isn't hard; it's one of the easiest parts in the dog's training process.

Addressing Misconceptions
Some may find the idea that training a good deer tracking dog is easy to be controversial. I don't mean to undermine the work and commitment required to develop the best deer tracking dogs. Like any field, there are varying levels of expertise among trackers, from professionals to novices. However, I believe that anyone, regardless of their tracking dog training experience, can successfully train almost any dog (of any breed or age) to track a wounded deer. This is because we're not creating a new skill, but enhancing what is already in our dogs genetically: the ability for a dog to track and follow scent with their nose.

Assessing Your Dog's Potential
If you're still unsure about trying to teach your dog deer tracking, consider these questions:

1.) Do you have a dog?
2.) Does your dog frequently use its nose around the house or yard?
3.) Does your dog show intelligence and a willingness to please?
4.) Are you interested in using your dog for recovering wounded deer?

If you answered "yes" to any of these, you have what it takest train a good deer tracking dog. The next step is to create and follow a tracking dog training plan.

Common deer dog tracking Mistakes and Misconceptions

A significant mistake people make is believing that training a tracking dog requires becoming a professional. This is not true. Just as owning golf clubs doesn't mean you must play at a PGA level, training your dog for tracking doesn't require professional expertise. You can enjoy the process and benefit from it, regardless of your skill level. The more effort you put into training, the more you'll get out of it. Recovering even one deer that might otherwise be lost is a rewarding achievement.

Teaching dogs deer tracking involves harnessing and enhancing their natural abilities. With patience and consistent practice, you can prepare your dog for the fall deer season and introduce them to their first real deer recovery, then build on their deer tracking from there. Embrace the journey and celebrate the successes, no matter how small they may seem. The effort you invest will pay off, making your deer hunting experience even more rewarding.

Deer Tracking Dog Training Products: DB Store

More Dog Training Articles: Jeremy's Journal

Video Training for Tracking Dogs For Deer: DogBone Training Library