For best results, start training hounds to hunt when they are young.
A critical step in training hounds to hunt is socializing the animal, both one-on-one and in groups, to human interaction, as well as teaching the dog its place in the pack. Training hounds to hunt bobcats is a straightforward process, but the dogs need to be given time to mature before you ask to much of them. Keep in mind that not all breeds of hounds will hunt the same across species, and some breeds, and individual dogs, may work well on bears, raccoons or rabbits, but not on cats. Be sure to select dogs that have come from a proven line of cat hunters.
Instructions
1. Work with the dogs in non-hunting situations to socialize the animals to obey your commands. Teaching basic obedience skills such as sit and stay will reinforce that you are the leader of their pack.
2. Drag a hot dog around the yard on a string in front of the dogs while they are young, allowing the puppy to catch it. Drag the hot dog along the ground when the dog is not present, leaving a scent trail for it to follow, and hide it where the dog can find it easily. Do not make it difficult for the dog in the beginning, and build on the dog's successes. Gradually increase the difficulty by making the trail longer and more complicated.
3. Determine when the dog is ready for field training by observing its maturity level. As it grows, it will replace constant playfulness with more serious, adult-like behavior, like barking at strangers.
4. Choose high-quality training scent made from bobcat scent glands for training. Stay away from urine and fecal-based scents, as they are weaker and will not leave a strong and lasting trail, and it will be harder for the dog to follow.
5. Place the small paint roller on one end of the wooden dowel, and secure it in place by twisting a piece of wire around the roller with the pliers. Slide the large paint roller over the dowel and secure it approximately 18 inches above the smaller roller. Apply scent liberally to both rollers.
6. Walk though the woods, using the dowel as a walking stick, so the scent will be placed on the ground in a natural pattern as you travel. Occasionally hit the larger roller against trees and logs to simulate the bobcat's body brushing up against them. Place some scent on a rag and hang it in a tree a few feet off the ground. Take the dog to the trail and, helping the animal as much as possible, allow it to follow track. Make it fun for the dog by making the trail easy to follow at first and increasing the difficult as the dog's skill and confidence grows. When the dog has become accomplished, move up to a real track.
7. Locate a fresh bobcat track, and allow the dog to track the animal. If the dog does not perform as desired, repeat the training exercise.
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