Age to start a bloodtrailing dog ?

kennym · November 21, 2014, 01:39:00 PM

Got a new pup, Lab/Vizsla cross, wondering how soon to start training. She is 8 weeks old now, and there is a good chance of having a blood trail for her between now and Jan. 15.

Will she make a decent blood dog?

My wife got her for my b-day , named her Zwickey.....

Kenny AKA notadogtraineratall

NittanyRider · November 21, 2014, 01:42:00 PM

Cute pup! Good luck with her!

LB243 · November 21, 2014, 01:58:00 PM

As soon as possible!!!

kennym · November 21, 2014, 02:03:00 PM

Should I start her close to the deer on the first couple?

T Folts · November 21, 2014, 02:12:00 PM

Get the book born to track. Start them early with real easy stuff.

ISP 5353 · November 21, 2014, 02:19:00 PM

Beautiful pup! I am sure she will make a great hunting dog for you. Good luck!

Whip · November 21, 2014, 03:07:00 PM

I started mine immediately just by dragging a hunk of fresh raw liver through the grass. Very short drags at first, then progressively longer, and before long switched to diluted blood from a spray bottle.

As mentioned, get the book - it goes into a lot more detail.

Great looking pup Kenny! Given a chance, I'll bet you got the makings of a good blood trailer!

kennym · November 21, 2014, 03:25:00 PM

Thanks guys, I'm sittin here with my bow lookin like a neon orange blob right now. Thought if I could shoot one and know where it ends up, might get her and let her look a little....

November 21, 2014, 03:55:00 PM

You cannot start them out too young!

There is another book titled "tracking Dogs for Wounded Deer", or something like that. The author is John Jeneanney. It has a lot of good info for how to start your dog out.

I think one of the single best things is to have lots of animals for the dog to find!

Bisch

The Vanilla Gorilla · November 21, 2014, 05:19:00 PM

I started Mindy, my Black and Tan out at about a year old. I tried to start her out earlier but she just wouldn't take to the trail I would lay out. So I kept them short and simple so she wouldnt get bored, then progressively lengthened them as she got older. She's just short of 2 years old now and can follow sparce trails of good distances. But she ain't fast. Hopefully someone or me can put her on a live trail this year. She's gotta be getting tired of chilled hog blood but that's all I got!

Cyclic-Rivers · November 21, 2014, 05:50:00 PM

Great looking Pup Kenny, Happy Belated Birthday! Keep us posted on Zwickey's Progress.

kennym · November 21, 2014, 07:34:00 PM

I'm bettin they all start at their own pace. I'm gonna try to get her on a deer trail ASAP .

Charlie, you haven't missed my bd yet, it is in December. Renee just got the dog when it was ready to wean! But thank you!

ChuckC · November 21, 2014, 07:56:00 PM

I really think that a trailing dog, under control, is a great thing and should be allowed everywhere. Its gonna take time, but it seems like a no brainer.

ChuckC

kennym · November 21, 2014, 08:36:00 PM

We can use them in MO as long as you notify the CO and carry no weapon.

(I think,haven't read rules this year)

Bro has some gun hunters this weekend, I asked him to call me if he has a deer down with a short trail. May put her on about 25 yards from deer to keep her interest. She seems a little young but won't hurt....

robertson · November 21, 2014, 11:39:00 PM

I have starded my labrador at not even 2 months old . BUT i started on a fake trail and trainned it on fake trails done by me at least once a week .

He did his first real trail on a deer a year latter and he did really good .

Looper · November 22, 2014, 02:34:00 AM

I started my lab/weim mix, Cash, at about 12 weeks, using a chunk of deer hide and a piece of stew meat on a string. I started out leaving short trails in the yard. He took to it right away. I made sure to give him lots of praise and belly rubs when he found it.

That first season, when he was about 5 months, I let him track a doe I shot, although she fell within sight. He went right to her. The next year, up in the mountains we tracked a rifle shot deer for a friend. We found that deer after a 1/4 mile track down in a steep ravine. We never would have found it without Cash.

Cash was a great dog and had a natural point on birds. He was a handful when bloodtrailing, though, due to his size and strength. He'd yank you off your feet if you weren't paying attention.

Sadly, we lost him to some sort of lung cancer at the age of 5. I sure do miss my buddy.

Now, my tracking dog is a Russell terrier, Taku. He's every bit as good as Cash was, but I do have to help him over obstacles at times.

Hud · November 22, 2014, 11:28:00 PM

Generally, trainers will start early with yard work and progress to more difficult tasks as the pup grows. Pups learn quicker at an early age, when they are curious and eager to please. Reward them with attention as they progress. Especially when they do right.

Cyclic-Rivers · November 24, 2014, 06:42:00 PM

Any updates Kenny?

kennym · November 24, 2014, 07:28:00 PM

Thanks for the help guys!

Charlie, it rained and the wind has been awful for a few days. No updates except I'm working her on the leash to get her used to that...

stykbow67 · November 24, 2014, 08:12:00 PM

I can't speak for the lab but I did raise 2
Litters of vizsla's a few years back and they are awesome dogs with great instinct and a nose that they definitely know how to use!!! That should be a great combo of breeds for what your gonna use her for, good luck with her and I love the name I may have to use that for my next pup! Lol

Steve