Pup scared of deer hide

[tjb86]

I'm training my 6 month old pup for blood trailing. I got a deer leg and hide tonight, when I got home I took out the deer hide to show it to my dog to see how she would react. she was completely freaked out didn't want anything to do with it and wouldn't come to me . Any of you trackers ever see this and how did you get past it?

[Lungbustr]

Start with a real small piece of hide to get the dog used to the hide. Then use a full hide later.

[flashof1979]

Yep small piece, smaller than your pup.

[sabreguy]

Six months is a good time to start training. I usually use the tail to start. Its a great feeling to watch dogs work and find their first deer, If you can find someone with a trained dog see if you can let your pup run with it. Speeds up the training some. Good luck to you. Keith

[tjb86]

Thanks I will try the tail and see how she does. I plan on running a mock trail today so we will see.

[Texas Tracker]

Don't worry they will grow out of it. The first deer that my dog found she freaked but she was only 12 weeks old. Now she justs finds it and looks for me to give her the reward.

[jdeleon]

can i high jack this thread how old is to old to start trying to train a dog?

[Willbehunt'n]

I used small pieces of liver as drag trails when mine was 3 months old, he loved it. I agree with all of the gus who said keep the hide small at first.

[RiverRat00]

Give

I'm training my 6 month old pup for blood trailing. I got a deer leg and hide tonight, when I got home I took out the deer hide to show it to my dog to see how she would react. she was completely freaked out didn't want anything to do with it and wouldn't come to me . Any of you trackers ever see this and how did you get past it?

The way you get past this is to give the pup away to me. Lol... Start small and tease pup with it at first to get interest.

[Deer Tracks]

Some puppies are just more cautious or timid than others.
Part of it is the environment - puppy could have had a bad experience ect...and part of it is their personality. Temperament is always an interplay of environment and genetics.

It's possible you are coming at her too aggressively with the hide. She needs to be able to approach it at her own pace. Put it on the ground. As the other said, use a smaller piece...keep it low and below her head so she feels in charge. Squat down next to it and in an excited voice say “what is this?”. Call your dog to help you but don't pick the hide up.
Once she sniffs around she’ll walk tall and feel proud that she solved the mystery.

Once she can approach the hide without showing fear, pick it up (not higher than her head) and run with it. Encourage her to chase you. The key is to to invite her to chase the hide but don't come at her with it. You want her to feel in charge. It's a confidence boost.

If you just stay consistent and keep doing things this way, she should grow out of this fear.

[sabreguy]

excellant advise. ^

[k9trainer]

You can also feed the pup with the hide in its bowl

[tjb86]

Some puppies are just more cautious or timid than others.
Part of it is the environment - puppy could have had a bad experience ect...and part of it is their personality. Temperament is always an interplay of environment and genetics.

It's possible you are coming at her too aggressively with the hide. She needs to be able to approach it at her own pace. Put it on the ground. As the other said, use a smaller piece...keep it low and below her head so she feels in charge. Squat down next to it and in an excited voice say “what is this?”. Call your dog to help you but don't pick the hide up.
Once she sniffs around she’ll walk tall and feel proud that she solved the mystery.

Once she can approach the hide without showing fear, pick it up (not higher than her head) and run with it. Encourage her to chase you. The key is to to invite her to chase the hide but don't come at her with it. You want her to feel in charge. It's a confidence boost.

If you just stay consistent and keep doing things this way, she should grow out of this fear.

Thank you this makes sense to me am going to defiantly try this.

K9trainer I'm going to try yours too

[tjb86]

Pup scared of deer hide

Thanks for the replies

[PROUDREDNECK]

Some puppies are just more cautious or timid than others.
Part of it is the environment - puppy could have had a bad experience ect...and part of it is their personality. Temperament is always an interplay of environment and genetics.

It's possible you are coming at her too aggressively with the hide. She needs to be able to approach it at her own pace. Put it on the ground. As the other said, use a smaller piece...keep it low and below her head so she feels in charge. Squat down next to it and in an excited voice say “what is this?”. Call your dog to help you but don't pick the hide up.
Once she sniffs around she’ll walk tall and feel proud that she solved the mystery.

Once she can approach the hide without showing fear, pick it up (not higher than her head) and run with it. Encourage her to chase you. The key is to to invite her to chase the hide but don't come at her with it. You want her to feel in charge. It's a confidence boost.

If you just stay consistent and keep doing things this way, she should grow out of this fear.

Excelent! I would say that what you did wrong was showing the hide to your dog, it`s better to just leave it somewhere in the ground and let your dog feel interested by the smell but not obligated to sniff it