Train a Rescued 5 yr old black lab to tree squirrels
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Bloomington, IL
Posts: 11
Train a Rescued 5 yr old black lab to tree squirrels
I adopted a 5 yr old lab from the local humane society about 3 months ago and have recently been turned on to squirrel hunting.
She needs some exercise and love to have some off leash time, so i figured this may be a good way to put her to work as well as give her what she needs.
My question is, whats the best way to teach her to tree a squirrel correctly? I have yet to let her off her leash to chase after a squirrel, but judging by her interest and her pulling, i can tell that she will give chase if allowed to.
Most of the info i have found on the internet are all about puppy training and sorting through it all is becoming a major task.
I also prefer air rifles for squirrel hunting so being gun shy really isnt an issue.
Just wondering if anyone has tips on teaching correct behavior. Not expecting a world class hunter, just someone to keep me some company and allow her to get some exercise in.
She needs some exercise and love to have some off leash time, so i figured this may be a good way to put her to work as well as give her what she needs.
My question is, whats the best way to teach her to tree a squirrel correctly? I have yet to let her off her leash to chase after a squirrel, but judging by her interest and her pulling, i can tell that she will give chase if allowed to.
Most of the info i have found on the internet are all about puppy training and sorting through it all is becoming a major task.
I also prefer air rifles for squirrel hunting so being gun shy really isnt an issue.
Just wondering if anyone has tips on teaching correct behavior. Not expecting a world class hunter, just someone to keep me some company and allow her to get some exercise in.
#2
Spike
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 38
New Tew
I am also fairly new to squirrel hunting. Especially with a dog. I have two black mouth cur pups, one of which I would like to train to tree. I think one of the first things you can do is get a squirrel tail and see how interested the dog is in the scent. I am sure he will be interested. I let my pups play with the squirrel tail a little.
Then I have started laying trails with the scent of live squirrels or hides. You can hang a live squirrel or hide in a tree. See how he reacts. I am new so this is also trial and error! I have heard you don't want to show them too many hides and live squirrels put up in trees or they will slick tree, treeing where there is no squirrel.
I would say get them interested enough in the one type of game and then just go from there. Set up a few man made situations and then see where it goes from there. Get out in the woods a lot.
Also, check out the chat room at sqdog.com.
Then I have started laying trails with the scent of live squirrels or hides. You can hang a live squirrel or hide in a tree. See how he reacts. I am new so this is also trial and error! I have heard you don't want to show them too many hides and live squirrels put up in trees or they will slick tree, treeing where there is no squirrel.
I would say get them interested enough in the one type of game and then just go from there. Set up a few man made situations and then see where it goes from there. Get out in the woods a lot.
Also, check out the chat room at sqdog.com.