Squirrel Dog Training Thread

[trek631]

I didn't see any other threads and didn't find anything great on the net so i thought i'd ask. Couldwe possiblydiscuss tips or providelinks on how to properly train and execute hunting squirels with a dog. Thanks

[Feistman]

1) Start with a well-bred pup from proven bloodlines.

2) Train it in the basics of obedience; sit, stay, here, & heel.

3) Take it for walks in areas where there are lots of squirrels moving about. Instinct and good breeding will take over from there. It's alot like starting a beagle pup on rabbits. Except Curs & Feists are much more able to be trained in obedience.

[DMJ]

check out these web sites

www.sqdog.com
www.squirrelhaters.net

lots of good info on these, about anything you want to know about squirrel dogs.

Donald

[SWOSUMike]

Another tip I would give is to really look at a lot of dogs if possible before picking a line. The Web sites above will really help expose you to a lot of dogs.

[Squirrel_Hunter_Gray]

I agree with everything that has been said so far. If you post any specific questions here or on other sites, we should be able to answer them. Training a squirrel dog is a progressive process that takes patience.

The best thing you can do, which was mentioned, is to take the pup to squirrel timber as much as humanly possible. Once you have the pup interested in squirrels (progressively using:squirrel tail/hide on a cane pole, live-trapped squirrel, chasing the squirrel released from the trap and chasing free ranging squirrels) taking it to the timber to smell tracks and work out the scentpuzzle in its head is the best thing for the pup.

Frequent trips to the timber will also introduce it to the many sights, sounds andsmells of the timber. Propersocialization to people, gunfire, livestock/pets, loading up, riding in a vehicle, etc. are also extremely important.

[Squirrel_Hunter_Gray]

For the Squirrel Doggers here:

The Minnesota Spring Classic (National Kennel Club Field Trial) is this Saturday April 14th in Bigelow, MN!

Anyone interested in squirrel dogs should try and make it. SPECTATOR'S WELCOME!

The Morning Squirrel Hunt has a registration deadline of 8:00 am. There are other events (Bench Show, Treeing Contest, Raffle) scheduled throughout the day all the way to an Evening Coon Hunt that has a registration deadline of 8:00 pm!

That is over 12 hours of Cur and Feist action!

There will be signs posted in Bigelow which you can follow when you get to town. The Club House is on the southeast side of town.


Sorry for the short notice!

[bigangrychicken]

take your dog hunting as much as possible. if he is a hunter, time and experience will make him a great hunter.

obedience, as previously mentioned, is a nice attribute to develop. this doesn't come natural to most dogs and requires some time.

otherwise---just stay in the woods as much as possible.

[Squirrel_Hunter_Gray]

Here is a link to some guys who record squirrel hunting videos with dogs. For anyone that has never experienced this form of hunting, it is a good opportunity to see how some folks do it.

http://www.outsidersvideoteam.com/


The book Squirrel Dog Basics by David Osborn is also worth a read. It is a great resource.

http://www.negia.net/~treetop/index.html