The term "hunting dog" is something of a misnomer. The training required to produce an outstanding hunting dog doesn't focus that much on the hunting itself, but on the art of tracking. Tracking requires your dog to have an impeccable sense of smell, obedience and willingness to please. Any puppy can become a hunting dog with enough training, but those with a higher prey drive, or instinct to kill and retrieve live game, will excel at hunting dog training. More important than your dog's breed is adequate, consistent training and the ability to work with your dog's natural instincts.
Instructions
1. Begin training your dog at an early age. Expert William Koehler recommends that training begin at the age of seven to 10 weeks, although a dog of any age can be trained for hunting. The older your puppy is, the more work and patience the training will require.
2. Train basic obedience commands first. Your puppy should be able to come to you, sit, return items and lay down on command before proceeding to specialized training. Your puppy should be able to perform these basic commands both on and off its leash.
3. Get a clean bill of health from a veterinarian. Preexisting medical conditions that inhibit your dog's ability to run, smell or hear negatively impact his ability to be trained as a hunting dog.
4. Expose your hunting dog to a variety of climates and stimuli. If you hunt primarily in cold weather with a gun, your dog should become used to cold weather and the noise a firearm makes. If your dog is skittish during these situations, more training will be needed to acclimate her to the situation.
5. Create a trail of animal blood. Leave a treat or food reward at the end of the trail. This encourages your dog to track prey using smell, rather than sight.
6. Encourage your dog to follow the trail. He will begin to associate this act with good things if he is continually rewarded afterward. Create a longer trail of blood with each training session.
7. Engage in frequent games of fetch with your dog. This encourages your dog to bring back items that it finds.
8. Create a trail of animal blood, but leave a toy at the end of it. Encourage your dog to return the toy to you. This may take several attempts. Lengthen the trail at each training exercise.
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