Just got done working the dog (2 year old Chocolate Male), I after planting 5 sheds, 2 in tall brush, 1 on open snow, 1 in sticks, and 1 in a downed tree. The one that was in the open snow was a small spike, maybe 5 inches long, I had a hard time seeing it, He found the first 4 right away, had no problems finding them. The small spike was the only one he struggled with, had to circle around it 3-4 times. But he did a very good job, and I am excited for them to start dropping here so I can start taking him out. CSB I know. But I'm excited.
We are, Ive been real lucky, he's had sheds since he was 7 weeks old, always drug them around, chewed on them, etc etc, So i went and bought some rack wax and waxed them up, made a trail to one, and he did the rest, I was honestly surprised when he darted off and caught wind of one and got one. But its awesome.
I want a chocolate or silver lab! Hope to get one that I can train to find sheds too! Good luck to you both!
I got a six month black lab mixed. She will retrieve the shed but yet I have to teach her how to track them down yet. I just dont know how to get her to start sniffing for them.
Captain, scheels or any other sporting goods store will sell a product called rack wax, it's a shed antler scent, get a rubber shed or use a real one, rub the wax all over it, and then use a drag rag with it on there in your yard leading up to the shed. Lots of practice.
Thanks, I will try and find some rack wax I dont think our little sporting goods will carry it Ill order me some on line.
I have a question for you guys who train dogs to find sheds. Does the training of your dog to find sheds affect how they hunt for upland birds such as phesants or grouse. It seems to me that it might confuse them. Is there anyone out there that uses the same dog for both?
I use Kinnick for both, it's the same concept essentially, the hard part is that when we shed hunt, it's fun for him, meaning I don't use any training commands or make him sit or stay close, it's just a free for all for him. Then when we bird hunt, I have to be more strict with him, but as far as scent wise, no they are smart enough to know what's going on. Lots of little things too like having my vest and calls and my gun. When the gun comes out he knows it's bird time.
