I have 6 mo dog and want to work with her to track wounded deer she has a good nose . But how to get her to focus. Have taken her with two recovery’s so far and she found the arrow for one but she hasn’t had any interest in following a trail. So far I’m giving her scraps while I process the animals and play hide and seek with a deer foot. Suggestions on how to get her to want to find would be great
Save blood. Drip a small trail. Get dog to follow trail of blood. When the dog gets to the end give it some hotdog. If the dog likes the game make it longer and harder.
They don’t actually follow the blood. I have a beagle and scent hounds don’t need blood to follow trails. They pick up on the hairs and skin molecules the blood gathers as it drips down and off the animal. The blood acts as a trap to seal the scent in that location so the dog can go from one spot to the next easier... think about it. How do dogs find missing people or drugs without blood.. all you need is hair or drag a piece of hide
It is amazing watching them when they succeed. Just make sure you check with your game warden because it is illegal to track game with a dog in some states
