Hunting Shed Antlers with a Shed Dog or Antler Dog
The use of a Shed Dog or Antler Dog when looking for shed antlers has become more and more popular…
The use of a Shed Dog or Antler Dog when looking for shed antlers has become more and more popular and these days we receive as many questions on training your dog to hunt shed antlers as training them to hunt birds. We were recently at the Madison Deer & Turkey Classic where we were almost talking about shed hunting exclusively (which was expected at that venue)! One of the biggest questions asked was if they could teach their breed of dog to hunt shed antlers, the answer is yes! You can teach almost any dog to hunt shed antlers if they have the desire to retrieve and they are exposed to it correctly!
Fun / Retrieving
Making the Antler itself fun and exciting is very important; however do not let them get bored of it. I suggest only taking it out when it’s time to train and be sure to make it fun! Get your dog excited about it and get him to chase after it and bring it back, upon return be sure to praise him and show how pleased you are with his work. If after a few retrieves he does not want to pick up the antler, stop and put the antler away. We want them to want to get the retrieve and get the antler! Next time stop short of them getting bored with the session. For example it they were excited and retrieved the antler 6 times and on the 7th they went out and did not pick it up, you would want to stop at the 4th or 5th retrieve at your next training session. We want them to “want” to get the antler and want more… This will end the session with them looking at you as to say “Hey what’s up, throw it again boss!” and that is what we want, the desire for more!
Visual / Scent
Training for shed hunting is both a Visual and a scent/smell training process. Tom Dokken has developed a sight training system that involves an antler silhouette training tool that teaches the important step in visualizing the antler in the field. This product works and is used with all dogs we train! If the dog is not downwind of the antler and he has not been taught to hunt using his eyes, he may never find that shed antler that is that is down wind. This is done while teaching them to quarter through the field. The use of specialty shed dog training scents is a very important part of the process. We start by loading the antler up with scent and then reducing the amount of scent that is added to the antler until we are just putting it on the base of the pedicle. This is done while teaching them to quarter through the field.
Eliminating Human Scent and adding tracking scent
As we proceed thru the training / tracking process, we need to make sure the antler is free of any scent other than of the Rack Wax or Antler Scent. I suggest obtaining a clean virgin 5 – gallon bucket or purchasing Dokken’s Rack Washing system. Be sure to use this bucket for nothing other than washing your training antlers. Keep in mind that you need a bucket that is free of any other scent; you do not want your dog hunting through the woods looking for pickles. After you have washed your antlers to remove any unwanted scent, you will want to add the training scent, be sure to use scent free plastic gloves when handling and planting these antlers in the woods or field. This will condition them to search for the scent of the antler not for you or what you had for lunch.
I recommend viewing one or both of the Shed Hunting videos that are available from Tom Dokken or Moore Outdoors. Both of these companies manufacture all the scents and equipment that we use in training our client dogs to hunt shed antlers.
This is a Great Seminar Video that I took of Tom Dokken at Pheasant Fest
Part 1
Part 2
Keep in mind that training the Shed Dog does not happen overnight and that patience is required when working with your dog. This process will take weeks if not seasons for the dog to completely catch on to what you are expecting them to do. Remember to keep it fun for both of you and you will have an Antler Dog that will be hunting shed antlers with you for seasons to come!
Fantastic Event in Milwaukee!
We have returned from Milwaukee, WI, where we had a great show at Pheasants Forever’s Pheasant Fest / Quail Classic. Highlighting the Hunting Dog, Pheasant Fest is a great place to visit with several different breed representatives and learn about your next hunting partner. It was great to see all the current customers and to meet some great new customers that stopped by to say hello! Although attendance was 21,063, it was down slightly from normal attendance numbers, we still had a great show!
This was the first year that we featured products from Waterfowl Decals and they were a big hit with the crowds. We also had representatives from Owens Dog Boxes available for questions and several boxes available for customers to take home and save on additional shipping charges. Owens provides quality Aluminum Diamond Plate dog boxes for your Hunting Dog that will provide protection in the worst of conditions. Chris Anderson from Fur-Zoff was giving demonstration of both of his Fur-Zoff and Burz-off products. These products are amazing and work on the toughest hair removal projects. We also featured Launchers and Winger from Gunners Up. Gunners up Launchers are a must for the trainer that trains alone and needs a continuous throw that helpers can’t always provide. If you train alone on “Marks” these Gunners Up Launchers are indispensable. Last but not least we had a full assortment of hunting and training products to make your hunting dog the best they can be!
As always great lists of seminar speakers were available for questions. Tom Dokken from Dokken Dog Training Supplies and Oak Ridge Kennels was providing information on Shed Dog Training, Bob West form Purina’s Sporting Dog Division and Rick and Ronnie Smith were also sponsored by Purina ProPlan.
Next year’s event will once again be held in Des Moines, IA and promises to be another great event!
If its habitat, wildlife management, dog training or research for your next hunting dog; Pheasants Forever’s Pheasant Fest & Quail classic is the place to be!
Hope to see you next year!
Joe Scarpy
HuntEmUp.com – “There is too much competition, not to do it better than anyone else!”
National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic 2014
What is Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic?
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever will take its National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic event to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the first time, to run February 14-16, 2014 at the Wisconsin Center. The largest show in the country for upland hunters, Hunting dog owners and wildlife habitat conservationists, the event drew 28,855 people last February in Minneapolis.
National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic returns to Wisconsin for the first time since 2009, when hunters and conservationists visited the 3-day show at Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic is a Sporting and Hunting show that will focus on wildlife conservation, upland game bird hunting (pheasant and quail), dog training, and wildlife habitat management and restoration. In connection with the trade show, Pheasants Forever will hold seminars on habitat improvement, pheasant hunting, shooting sports, wild game cooking, dog training, Hunting Dog’s, conservation and lots more!
HuntEmUp.com will once again be participating in the 2014 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic! This is a great event for the whole family with something for everyone! If it’s Hunting, Hunting Dog Training or Wildlife Management, you have to be in Milwaukee, WI. Feburary 14-16 2014.
Visit HuntEmUp.com in Booth #’s 235, 237, 334, 336
2014 Event Dates and Times
Friday, February 14th: 1PM to 8:30PM
Saturday, February 15th: 9AM to 6PM
Sunday, February 16th: 10AM to 5PM
We look forward to attending this event every year and with it being in Milwaukee, Wi. this year, it adds another level of excitment as it is almost our backyard!
Visit HuntEmUp.com in Booth #’s 235, 237, 334, 336
Be sure to stop by and say hello and check out our great show specials!
Hope to See You There!!!
Joe Scarpy
HuntEmUp.com –“There is too much competition, not to do it better than anyone else!”
Common Household Items That are Poisonous to Dogs!
Everyday items around the house that are Poisonous to Dogs!
You may have heard it all before, but for everyone that has recently acquired a new pup or anyone that has not been informed in the past…Common Household Items That are Poisonous to Dogs!
There are many different items that can be found in virtually every household. Dog owners need to pay particular attention to some of these items since they can poison their pets. The following is a list of some of the most common.
Pesticides:
Homeowners frequently make use of pesticides to control a wide range pests. It’s vital that you be careful when using them around your home. Dogs can be curious and a few licks of a trap can be very hazardous. Mice can be a very common problem, especially in a kennel situation. We do not recommend the use of any poisons when other animals are in the immediate area. Live traps for mice in areas that can be easily accessed by other animals and traditional traps be used in areas that cannot be easily accessed by other animals.
Chemicals:
Other types of chemicals that you have around your home should also be kept away from your dog. Don’t keep a bottle of bleach beneath the bathroom sink and let your dog go sniffing around unattended. You need to keep all types of chemical cleaners stored somewhere safe where your dog won’t be able to access it.
Antifreeze:
One of the most hazardous household items to dogs is antifreeze. It only takes a small dose to cause irreversible damage to the kidneys. Larger doses can easily be fatal. It’s important to note that not all types of antifreeze have the same amount of danger. The chemical ethylene glycol is used in some types of antifreeze and is very deadly. If you own a dog, it’s probably in your best interests to put antifreeze in your car that contains propylene glycol instead. This chemical is also dangerous, but your dog would need to ingest more of it to experience more severe consequences.
Fertilizer:
Gardeners commonly make use of plant food or fertilizers to enhance the output of their hobby. Just make sure that you don’t allow your dog to consume any of it. Be careful about the type of chemicals that you use on your lawn too. Don’t let your dog go nosing around directly after you have applied any of these chemicals.
Plants:
Speaking of gardening, dog owners need to note the different types of plants that are inside and outside their home. Some of them are very poisonous to dogs. Therefore, it would be a huge mistake to have them around since your dog won’t know better than to eat them if he gets the notion. Mistletoe and azalea are two plant types that are very harmful.
Medications:
Different types of medications are found in virtually every household. It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple cold medicine or prescription medication. You shouldn’t let your dog have access to any human medications, unless directed by your Veterinarian. Medications aren’t the only things that are toxic to dogs either, creams and liquids can also be harmful.
Food:
Feeding a premium dog food is probably the single most important thing you can do for your pet’s health. Just like you and I, the better you eat the better you should feel and the better health you should be in. Premium dog foods will also help the amount of yard waste you will have to pick-up and should help in the amount of veterinary bills you would incur due to poor nutritional issues. Many people like giving pets table scraps. This is not something we recommend, but If you must feed your dog table scraps do so in his bowl away from the table and ensure that any bones, etc… have been removed from the offering. Bones have the potential to do major damage! Chewing on a bone may cause it to shatter and if he swallows the shattered pieces, they may lead to an intestinal obstruction and Internal / intestinal punctures. Feeding away from the table in his/her bowl will help prevent begging at the table. Remember that dogs are creatures of habit and can catch on fast; especially if a free meal is attached to the action.
Other foods should never be given to dogs because they’re poisonous. Two of the most poisonous include chocolate and onions. You should also avoid giving raisins, grapes, alcohol, and salt.
Canine First Aid:
I also recommend that you have a Dog / Canine First Aid Kit with you at all times. Just like with children, they can get into things and before you know it you have an issue at hand that needs to be addressed with medical attention. After addressing the injury in the field we suggest a follow-up visit with a Veterinarian to determine that the injury is not worse than it appears.
We suggest you consult your veterinarian for any additional recommendations on additional hazardous household Items that are Poisonous to Dogs that you be on the look-out for!
Joe Scarpy – Owner, Dog Trainer, Hunter
At HuntEmUp.com, we know sporting dogs. From the time they’re a puppy, through their senior years, we’ll keep you informed on the latest news and information. For more information on Training, Preparing and Caring for your Dogs, read our Hunting and Sporting Dog blog.
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