How To Train A Dog To Track Deer: Step-by-Step

Can I train my dog to track deer? Yes, absolutely! With patience, consistency, and the right approach, you can teach your dog to track deer. This guide will walk you through the process, from building foundational skills to advanced techniques, helping you develop a capable tracking dog.

Getting Started: The Basics of Dog Tracking Scent

Before diving into actual deer tracking, it’s crucial to lay a strong foundation in tracking dog basics. This involves more than just pointing your dog in a direction. It’s about harnessing their natural scenting abilities and teaching them to follow a specific path. This is where scent training truly begins. Your dog’s nose is an incredible tool, and our goal is to refine its use for a specific purpose.

Building a Foundation of Obedience

A dog that listens is essential for successful tracking. Dog obedience tracking is the bedrock upon which all other advanced skills will be built. This means ensuring your dog responds reliably to basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “heel.”

Sit and Stay: Crucial for controlling your dog at the start and end of a track.
Come: Essential for recalling your dog if they lose the scent or become distracted.
Heel: Helpful for keeping your dog by your side during the initial stages of a track or when approaching a recovery.

Consistent practice in various environments will solidify these commands, making them second nature for your dog.

Introducing the Scent Article

The first step in scent training is to introduce your dog to the scent they will be following. For deer tracking, this will eventually be deer scent. However, to start, we’ll use a scent article.

What is a Scent Article? This is typically a small piece of cloth or leather that has been infused with the target scent.
Choosing the Right Scent Article: For initial training, you can use a commercially available scent article or create your own. Many trainers start with artificial scents like anise or rabbit to build interest before introducing natural game scents.

The “Find It” Game

This game is designed to teach your dog to actively search for a hidden scent.

Start Simple: Place the scent article in an obvious spot where your dog can see you place it.
Use a Command: As you place the article, say your chosen command, such as “Find it!” or “Seek!”
Encourage the Search: Encourage your dog to go to the article. When they find it, praise them enthusiastically.
Increase Difficulty: Gradually increase the difficulty by hiding the article in slightly more challenging locations (e.g., behind a bush, under a leaf pile).
Reward Success: Always reward your dog with praise, a treat, or a favorite toy when they successfully locate the scent article.

This builds their confidence and teaches them that searching for a scent is a rewarding activity.

Developing the Tracking Drive: Scent Discrimination and Initial Tracks

Once your dog understands the “Find It” game, it’s time to refine their abilities and introduce the concept of dog nose work focused on a specific scent. This is where scent discrimination becomes important.

Scent Discrimination Exercises

Scent discrimination teaches your dog to differentiate between different scents and focus only on the target scent.

Multiple Scent Articles: Place several scent articles on the ground.
Target and Distractor Scents: One article should have the target scent (e.g., deer hide, or your chosen training scent). The others should have different, less interesting scents (e.g., unscented articles, or a mild, common scent like grass).
Command and Reward: Give your “Find It” command. Reward your dog only when they select and interact with the target scent article.
Gradual Progression: As your dog improves, increase the number of distractor articles and the similarity of their scents to the target scent.

Introducing the Simulated Deer Track

The next logical step is to move towards creating a simulated deer track. This helps your dog learn to follow a trail.

Using Deer Hide Training: A crucial element in deer hide training involves using actual deer hide. You can obtain scent-soaked deer hides from processors or hunters.
Creating a Simple Track:
1. Scent Article Placement: Place your scent article (preferably soaked in deer scent) at the beginning of your track.
2. Lay the Track: Drag the deer hide (or a scent-soaked cloth) in a straight line for about 20-30 yards.
3. Reinforce the Scent: Periodically drag the hide off the direct line, creating a few slight turns. This helps the dog learn to follow the flow of the scent, not just visual cues.
4. Blind Lay: Don’t let your dog see you lay the track.
5. The Command: Release your dog at the starting point with their command.
6. Encourage and Guide: If your dog loses the scent, you can gently encourage them back onto the track without physically pushing them. The goal is for them to find it themselves.
7. Reward at the End: At the end of the track, place a reward (treat, toy, or enthusiastic praise).

This initial phase is about building the dog’s desire to follow the scent.

Advancing to Trailing a Deer: Increasing Complexity and Duration

Once your dog is consistently following simple simulated deer tracks, it’s time to increase the challenge and move towards trailing a deer. This involves making the tracks longer, more complex, and incorporating real-world scenarios.

Increasing Track Length and Turns

Longer Tracks: Gradually increase the length of the tracks you lay. Start with 50 yards, then 100 yards, and eventually several hundred yards or more.
More Turns: Introduce more deliberate turns and even some dead ends. This teaches the dog to ignore false scents and stay focused on the primary trail.
Varying Terrain: Practice on different surfaces like grass, dirt, leaves, and even light underbrush. This prepares your dog for real hunting conditions.

Introducing Ageing Tracks

A crucial aspect of hunting dog training is understanding that real deer tracks aren’t fresh. You need to simulate this.

Lay the Track: Lay a simulated deer track as usual.
Wait: Leave the area and return later. The longer you wait, the more the scent will dissipate and be affected by weather. Start with an hour, then increase to several hours, or even overnight.
Send the Dog: When you send your dog to track, they will be working with a much fainter scent. This significantly increases the difficulty and requires a more developed dog tracking scent ability.

Incorporating Environmental Factors

Weather: Practice in different weather conditions – wind, rain, and varying temperatures – as these all affect scent. Learn how wind can carry scent and how rain can wash it away.
Distractions: Introduce mild distractions at the track site or along the trail, such as other dogs, people, or the presence of other animal scents. This helps build dog obedience tracking in real-world situations.

Using Deer Hide Training Effectively

Scent Articles: Use multiple scent articles along the track, especially for longer or older tracks. This reinforces the scent and gives the dog opportunities to reconnect with the trail.
Scuffing: For very old or challenging tracks, you might lightly scuff the deer hide along the trail to re-deposit scent. Use this sparingly to avoid teaching your dog to rely on it.

Advanced Techniques and Troubleshooting

As your dog progresses, you might encounter challenges or want to refine their skills further.

Handling “Cross-Tracks” and Scent Pools

Sometimes, your dog might pick up a scent from another animal that has crossed the deer’s path.

What to Do: If your dog veers off the intended track onto a “cross-track,” calmly redirect them back to where they left the original scent. Avoid excessive correction; focus on helping them reacquire the correct trail.
Scent Pools: A deer might rest in one spot, creating a concentrated “scent pool.” Your dog might circle this area. Encourage them to pick up the scent where the deer left the pool.

Building Stamina and Focus

Tracking can be physically and mentally demanding for a dog.

Physical Conditioning: Ensure your dog is in good physical condition for the demands of tracking. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are essential.
Mental Engagement: Keep training sessions engaging and positive. End on a successful note whenever possible. If your dog is struggling, break down the task into smaller, more manageable steps.

Using a Tracking Harness and Lead

Harness: A well-fitting tracking harness allows your dog freedom of movement and distributes pressure evenly, which is important for long tracking sessions.
Lead: A long lead (15-30 feet) is essential for allowing your dog to work the scent without being constantly pulled or corrected. This teaches them to self-correct and find the scent on their own.

Training for Specific Hunting Scenarios

The ultimate goal is to prepare your dog for the nuances of real deer tracking during a hunt.

Tracking After a Shot

This is often the most critical application of tracking skills.

Immediate vs. Delayed Tracking: Decide if you will track immediately after a shot or wait for a period. Both have pros and cons. Immediate tracking can help if the deer is not fatally wounded, while waiting can sometimes allow a wounded deer to lie down.
Blood Trailing: After a shot, you’ll often be tracking blood. This requires your dog to follow not just scent, but also visual cues of blood. Integrate blood drops (from the deer hide or artificial blood) into your simulated tracks.
Reading the Deer: Your dog’s body language will tell you a lot. A focused, low-to-the-ground trot indicates they are on a strong scent. Excited, erratic behavior might mean they are confused or have lost the trail.

What is Deer Hide Training?

Deer hide training involves using materials that carry the scent of deer. This can include:

Actual deer hides, often provided by meat processors or hunters.
Scent articles soaked in deer urine or glandular secretions.
Commercially available deer scent lures.

The key is to consistently expose your dog to the specific scent they need to follow in controlled training environments.

Introducing Specific Scent Discrimination Skills

While you’ve worked on general scent discrimination, you might want to refine it for specific situations.

Multiple Game Scents: If you hunt multiple types of game, you might want your dog to distinguish between deer scent and, say, rabbit or squirrel scent.
Controlled Exposure: Gradually introduce different game scents in training sessions, always rewarding the dog for focusing on the deer scent.

Tools and Equipment for Tracking Training

Having the right equipment can make a significant difference in your training success.

Essential Gear

Tracking Harness: Comfortable and well-fitting for your dog.
Long Lead: 15-30 feet of durable material.
Scent Articles: Cloth, leather, or specialized scent wads.
Scent Source: Deer hide, urine, or commercial lures.
Treats/Rewards: High-value treats your dog loves.
Water and Bowl: For your dog during longer training sessions.

Optional Gear

Tracking Vest: Protects your dog from brush and thorns.
Whistle: For signaling.
GPS Tracker: To monitor your dog’s movements during longer exercises.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, some common pitfalls can hinder progress.

Over-Correction

Harsh corrections can make your dog fearful or hesitant to scent. Focus on positive reinforcement.

Rushing the Process

Each dog learns at its own pace. Don’t compare your dog to others. Patience is key.

Using Too Much Help

Allow your dog to work the scent independently. Avoid constantly pointing, pushing, or verbally guiding them excessively.

Inconsistent Training

Regular, consistent training sessions are more effective than infrequent, long sessions.

Not Generalizing Skills

Practice in various environments and conditions to ensure your dog can track in real hunting situations, not just in your backyard.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How old should a dog be to start tracking training?

You can begin basic scent training and introducing the “Find It” game as early as 8-10 weeks old. More advanced dog tracking scent work, like trailing a deer, is best introduced once the dog has a solid foundation in obedience and is physically mature enough, typically around 6-12 months.

How long does it take to train a dog to track deer?

The timeline varies greatly depending on the dog’s breed, natural aptitude, your consistency, and the depth of training. Some dogs may show aptitude within months, while others might take a year or more to become highly proficient at trailing a deer. Consistent, regular training is more important than the duration of individual sessions.

What breeds are best suited for deer tracking?

While many breeds can be trained, scent hounds and versatile hunting breeds often excel. This includes:

Bloodhounds: Renowned for their exceptional scenting ability.
Basset Hounds: Possess a strong nose and determination.
Beagles: Natural scent hounds with a good drive.
German Shorthaired Pointers, Weimaraners, Labrador Retrievers: These breeds often have a natural inclination for hunting and can be excellent trackers with proper training.
Mixed breeds: Many mixed-breed dogs with a strong scent drive can also become excellent trackers.

Should I use my hunting dog’s natural scent or artificial scents for training?

It’s best to start with artificial scents like anise or rabbit to build a strong foundation in scent training and the “Find It” game. Once your dog is reliably finding and following these scents, you can gradually introduce natural scents, including those from deer hide training. This helps prevent them from becoming reliant on a single, powerful scent and broadens their scenting capabilities.

How can I improve my dog’s ability to track in wet or windy conditions?

Practice! The more you expose your dog to tracking in various weather, the better they will adapt. In windy conditions, teach your dog to cast (work in a sweeping motion) to find the scent as it can be blown off course. In wet conditions, focus on their ability to pick up scent off the ground and through damp vegetation. Patience and allowing them to work through challenging conditions are key.

My dog gets distracted easily. How can I help?

This is where strong dog obedience tracking is crucial. Start training in low-distraction environments and gradually introduce distractions as your dog’s focus improves. Reward heavily for ignoring distractions and staying on the track. You can also use a longer lead to give them more freedom to work without feeling constantly constrained, which can sometimes reduce frustration and distraction.

By following these steps, you can embark on a rewarding journey to train your canine companion to become a skilled deer tracker, enhancing both your hunting experiences and the bond you share. Remember that every dog is an individual, and adapting these techniques to suit your dog’s personality and learning style is paramount to success.