Tracking dog questions

[Seay]

Just curious on different approaches from different trainers.

Do you:
1 work your dog on lead the whole track?

2 work him off lead but keep close?

3 work him off lead and track on gps collar?

4 do something completely differet?

I stated doc on long lead (15-25ft) then as he became a little more proven slowly got him to the point that I trust him enough to stay within sight but no lead.

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[AntlerCollector]

I start mine on a lead. My dog will almost drag me when she's on a good trail. I cut her loose and let her go. She will find the deer then come back and find me. She tracks really fast, and in thick East Texas woods. It works better for me to just let her go. I have a gps collar, but I've never used it with this dog. She finds the deer and immediately back tracks to get me and bring me to it. If you want to buy a collar let me know.

[Tigers1]

I work mine with a GPS collar and can't imagine not using one!

[fulmer34]

I'm far from an expert but I started mine on a lead. Then discovered when doing an actual track and not a mock trail I was having issues on a lead. I felt like I was influencing the dog too much on a lead even though I tried not to. And when in the brush, cactus and mesquite out here it just caused issues. So I forked out the money for GPS collar and just use it now. I take the dog to the start of trail on a lead then cut him loose. I try to stay in eye sight of the dog but don't crowd him or interfer with the blood trail. My dog comes back pretty easy when I call though too.

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[Steve_243]

Mine will work with or w/o a lead, but prefer off with gps collar.


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[triple_duece]

Tracking dog questions

I'm training my new dog now. Methods IMO depends on the breed of dog.

I use a lab so they tend to stay close. Will follow the track and wait for me or backtrack till I get close. Some will just flat out run the trail. If your dog runs the trail you will need a GPS tracking collar cause no human can keep up. I currently use a cow bell on a collar cause labs are silent trackers. I've trained a few dogs but I'm not an expert. Lots of it depends on the dog with the method, some will argue that point. My lab was almost 5 months when opening bow season came around. A guy killed a deer so I cut a piece of hide off and made a trail using a long stick w a rope tied to it and the hide. Make trails easy and rewarding at first. I did 3 and she did fine. That evening I killed a doe and had a 80 yard track and this was at night. Put her bell on and led her to first blood. She followed and back tracked several times till she found the deer.

Just got back from a two day trip where I killed another deer. My dog was at home so my son made 3 different tracks dragging just the hide. She found all of the tracks w no problem.

To be honest it's easier to train a dog to track than to duck hunt. If you have any questions send me a pm.

Also I'm looking to get a gps tracking collar, just good insurance on keep tabs on my dog when cut lose to track.

[KR-oldmexico]

I start mine on a lead. My dog will almost drag me when she's on a good trail. I cut her loose and let her go. She will find the deer then come back and find me. She tracks really fast, and in thick East Texas woods. It works better for me to just let her go. I have a gps collar, but I've never used it with this dog. She finds the deer and immediately back tracks to get me and bring me to it. If you want to buy a collar let me know.

What tracking system do you have? I need a backup

[Dollie]

I know there are several folks that track off-lead, and I ain’t gonna slam anyone for it. To each their own...

However, things to consider, sometimes the dog needs to be controlled ie: not trashing on other trails or animals. For me personally, I like to track on lead so that I can continually confirm visual contact with both my dog, and ANY physical evidence to support that my dog is ON TRACK. Really good non-snag bright Hunter orange leads are available from Permatak. Probably the best leads I’ve ever seen or used. NOW THE MAIN REASON FOR ME PERSONALLY TO TRACK ON LEAD. I DO NOT WANT MY DOG INJURED, (GORED), OR KILLED BY AN INJURED BUCK. Seen it first hand, and has broke a few hearts. My Dolllie is my best friend, and a wonderful family pet, but I won’t risk her health when I know I don’t have too. Good Luck to all of you not matter how you do it, just put your dog first. Have a safe season y’all.