Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Mike_H on August 24, 2013, 06:49:23 pm

Title: antler dogs?!
Post by: Mike_H on August 24, 2013, 06:49:23 pm
Anyone heard of this before?  My wife and I were at the Bass Pro Shop in St. charles, MO and saw a training pack for hunting sheds with dogs.  When we saw this, we both thought of trying to do it with our dog.
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: YosemiteBen on August 24, 2013, 06:53:20 pm
While I have never heard of that I did know a guy that had a shed sniffin dog. He always came back with an arm load of sheds from bleached to fresh.
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: Mike_H on August 24, 2013, 06:58:30 pm
And that is why I want to do this with my pup.  Never have to buy billets again. :laugh:
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: osage outlaw on August 24, 2013, 07:39:58 pm
I read an article in a magazine about a guy training his dogs to find sheds.  He explained how he picked out a certain puppy and trained it.  He even had a list of the best breeds for it.
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: sleek on August 24, 2013, 08:09:55 pm
Ok, here is my list of dogs. I have a black lab, a husky, a maltese caren terrier ( spelling? ), and then my favorite... a minature austrailian shepard mixed with blue heeler, and border collie. What would be the best breed for this?
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: Stringman on August 24, 2013, 08:25:30 pm
I would go with the mix. Sounds like it should have a lotta good qualities, as long as it has a good personality and trains easy.
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: Mike_H on August 24, 2013, 08:38:15 pm
Any of them if they love to sniff stuff.  But the black lab and the mix would probably be the best.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBoneheadpro. This guy does it as well.
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: TRACY on August 24, 2013, 10:17:03 pm
One of my first real good duck dogs was a black lab that would retrieve sheds for me if they were in the area. She found a decent number over the years on our treks in the late winter and spring when nothing else was in season. She was also fantastic at retrieving beavers that I shot on the job saving me from putting the waders on or launching the canoe.

My vote is for a dog that is already inclined to retrieve.

Tracy
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: Ozzy on August 24, 2013, 10:49:26 pm
My brother-in-law has his black lab trained for ducks and sheds its found some nice ones
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: sleek on August 24, 2013, 10:52:45 pm
Reckon I could start just by playing fetch with my dogs using an antler? Probably try teaching both the lab and my mixed mut and see which takes to it the best.
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: wildman on August 24, 2013, 11:01:36 pm
I have a black lab that is very good at finding sheds. I used the same idea as you would to blind retrieve. You get them retrieving them first then use a command for the blind. Use that command as a search word.

Keith
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: wildman on August 24, 2013, 11:29:25 pm
Libby dog in action. We found our first matched set together this spring.
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: Gus on August 25, 2013, 02:39:24 pm
This is a Cool Thread and Idea...

Gotta try this with my two Knot Heads...
Trapper and Zed, Chocolate Labs...
The Trouble Puppies...

:)

-gus
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: Mike_H on August 25, 2013, 03:20:07 pm
Gus, look for a brand called  "DogBone", they have rubber antler, scents and a training booklet.  When I have a little extra cash, I'm gonna get some stuff myself.
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: JW_Halverson on August 25, 2013, 03:36:42 pm
Use a mastiff or great Dane.  That way they can bring back the whole critter.

Lotsa rewards and praise, maybe even a nip of jerky for every successful retrieve and a half decent dog will climb your neighbor's wall to bring you that shoulder mount 6x7 elk your he paid $3 grand to the taxidermist for mounting.  If you know what your dog likes best for treats, use that exclusively for a reward.  It will strengthen the value of the game in your dog's mind.  It may not even be a food reward, what if your dog has a squeaky toy that drives her wild?  Bring me a shed and you get 5 minutes of play time with "squeaky bear"!!!  If she associates the specific reward with the task, all you gotta do is get out the reward and she will know what you want.  Kinda like the old bird dog getting up from his blanket by the fire when he hears shotgun shells rattling together. 
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: wildman on August 25, 2013, 05:02:09 pm
IMOP I would not waste the$$$$$ on fake antlers and the like. I have trained a few dogs. I have owned a few UKC titled labs.
I always find it best to use the real deal be it dead birds,pigeons, tree rats ,coons,antlers etc. Nothing works like the real deal.
JW hit the nail on the head reward them like they just brought you the winning powerball ticket and all will go well. The book Water Dog has a great section on blinds use antlers instead of dummies. I wish I could post video on here I would do a little demo on how to start.

Keith
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: JW_Halverson on August 25, 2013, 06:55:31 pm
Unless, of course, your goal is to have them to retrieve plastic antlers!
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: Mike_H on August 25, 2013, 09:21:49 pm
IMOP I would not waste the$$$$$ on fake antlers and the like. I have trained a few dogs. I have owned a few UKC titled labs.
I always find it best to use the real deal be it dead birds,pigeons, tree rats ,coons,antlers etc. Nothing works like the real deal.
JW hit the nail on the head reward them like they just brought you the winning powerball ticket and all will go well. The book Water Dog has a great section on blinds use antlers instead of dummies. I wish I could post video on here I would do a little demo on how to start.

Keith

Keith, youtube it.  Who knows, might be a big hit.

I agree, but for those who do not have the real thing yet, the rubber antler and scent is good for starters.  It does seem to work though.
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: wildman on August 25, 2013, 10:53:17 pm
Mike, PM me your info and I will send ya a few starter antlers.
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: Buffalogobbler on August 26, 2013, 10:07:01 am
On one episode of Mountain Men from last year they were using a dog to find antlers for them, I think it was a springer spaniel

Kevin
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: Mike_H on August 26, 2013, 03:49:33 pm
On one episode of Mountain Men from last year they were using a dog to find antlers for them, I think it was a springer spaniel

Kevin

My dad told me about that same episode.  Wish I could have seen it.
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: paulsemp on August 26, 2013, 04:22:49 pm
I have a German Shepherd and have done scent training with her and it is all about praise and reward. Like said a specific reward for the task. Something they never get unless they preform the task.  Every couple of days hide some antler for them to find, keep it fresh in their head.  All dogs smell well enough for this, it is just a matter of drive and handler.
Title: Re: antler dogs?!
Post by: Marks on August 27, 2013, 01:07:18 pm
Get on youtube. Shed dogs is a fast upcoming sport. They have field trials for it now. Lee and Tiffany Lacoski on the outdoor channel did an episode on their shed dog. It was real neat.