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How to Train My Hunting Dog

by LaDonna Dennis

Overview

Training your dog to hunt can be an exciting and rewarding experience. While it isn't always an easy task, consistency, a few simple techniques and a lot of dog treats can turn man's best friend into an obedient hunting dog. Teaching your hunting dog a few basic commands are imperative to successful training. No matter what type of game you plan to hunt, or the kind of dog breed you intend to train, understanding the basic commands like "sit," "stay" and "come" are the most important first steps.

Step 1

Teach your dog to "sit." Get an enticing dog treat and hold it slightly above your dog's head. Say, "sit." Hold the treat above the dog's head and ease it back towards its tail. The dog will back to get the treat. If the dog doesn't sit, gently push their hind quarters down. Once your dog sits, reward your dog with the treat and confirm the reward with praise. Repeat this step several times a day until your dog sits on command. In time, diminish the treats.
Step 2

Teach your dog to "stay." Start by commanding the dog to "sit," then give the dog a reward. Hold your hand in front of the dog's nose and use the command "stay" while you walk away. If the dog stays, reward the dog with a treat. If the dog follows you, do not reward. Instead, return the dog to the place where you told it to stay and command the dog to "stay" again until the dog has successfully stayed. Once the dog has obeyed your command of "stay," reward the dog with a treat. Start with a very short stay and each time make them stay a little longer. Soon they will stay as long as you like.
Step 3

Teach your dog to "come." Command the dog to "sit" and then to "stay," walk away and then hold out a treat and call the dog by saying, "come." When teaching your dog to come, be consistent when commanding your dog. Once the dog has followed the command, give the reward.
Step 4

Think about what is necessary to complete the particular hunting job you want your dog to perform. If the dog is supposed to flush out game or retrieve them, start with a bag or pouch with the scent of game on it and hide it around the house for the dog to find. Start easy and progressively make it harder. If the dog is supposed to tree game, then start the same way but soon progress to dragging it along the ground leading to a tree and put it in that tree. Start small and build on it until the dog is completing the task that you want it to do.
Step 5

Teaching the dog to"leave it" and "take it" are important techniques if your dog is going to retrieve game. Start by using the standard command of "sit." Hold a treat out to your dog. When the dog tries to take the treat, close your hand and tell the dog to "leave it." Repeat this until the dog no longer tries to take the treat. Once the dog has successfully completed this task, allow the dog to take the treat by saying, "take it." This will assist you in the field when your dog fetches and returns the game to you. You can use toys around the house or actual decoys instead of treats once your dog has mastered this skill.