How To Train Dog To Track Deer Safely

Can you train a dog to track deer safely? Yes, with proper training and supervision, you can teach your dog to track deer safely. This guide will show you how to do it. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right dog to advanced tracking techniques.

Picking the Right Dog for Tracking

Not all dogs are naturally suited for tracking. Certain tracking dog breeds have been developed over centuries for their incredible noses and determination. These breeds often possess a combination of stamina, focus, and a willingness to work with their handler.

Top Breeds for Tracking Deer

Bloodhounds: Renowned for their unparalleled scenting ability, Bloodhounds are the classic tracking dog. Their loose skin and large nostrils help capture scent particles, and their incredible persistence makes them ideal for long tracks.
Basset Hounds: Similar to Bloodhounds in their scenting prowess, Basset Hounds are also very determined. Their lower stature can sometimes be an advantage in dense undergrowth.
German Shorthaired Pointers/Weimaraners: While known for pointing game birds, these versatile breeds also have excellent noses and the drive to follow a scent. They often have the stamina for longer treks.
Beagles: Small but mighty, Beagles are scent hounds with a powerful drive to follow a trail. Their size makes them agile in various terrains.
Coonhounds (Black and Tan, Treeing Walker, etc.): Bred for hunting raccoons and other game, these hounds have exceptional noses and the tenacity to follow a scent for miles.

Traits to Look For

Beyond breed, consider these individual traits:

Strong Nose: The ability to pick up and follow a scent is paramount.
Drive and Persistence: A dog needs to be motivated to stay on a track, even when it’s challenging.
Focus: The dog should be able to ignore distractions and concentrate on the scent.
Trainability: A dog that is eager to please and learns quickly will make the training process smoother.
Good Temperament: A calm and confident dog is easier to handle and manage in the field.

The Foundation: Basic Obedience

Before you even think about deer scent training, your dog needs a solid foundation in obedience. This isn’t just about manners; it’s about control and safety.

Essential Commands

“Sit”: Crucial for controlling your dog at the start and end of a track, and when you need them to be still.
“Stay”: Prevents your dog from running off prematurely.
“Come” (Recall): Your most important safety command. Your dog must come to you immediately when called.
“Leave It”: Essential for preventing your dog from picking up undesirable items or disturbing game.
“Heel” or “Close”: Teaches your dog to stay by your side, which is important for controlled tracking.
“Mark” (or “Find It”): A command to indicate they have found the target.

Why Obedience Matters for Tracking

Safety: A well-trained dog is less likely to run into dangerous situations, chase wildlife inappropriately, or get lost.
Control: You need to be able to direct your dog and manage them during the tracking process.
Focus: Obedience training helps your dog learn to concentrate on your commands and the task at hand, rather than distractions.
Partnership: It builds a strong bond and communication system between you and your dog.

Introduction to Scent Training

Scent training is the core of teaching your dog to track. It involves teaching them to identify and follow a specific scent. For deer tracking, this means focusing on deer scent training.

Principles of Scent Work

Dogs experience the world primarily through their noses. Scent training leverages this innate ability. We start by associating a scent with a reward, then gradually increase the complexity of the search.

The Power of Scent Articles

Scent articles are items that carry a specific odor. For deer tracking, these can be:

Natural Deer Scent: This is the ideal, but can be challenging to obtain ethically and safely. It could involve a piece of hide or fur from a deer that was legally harvested.
Commercial Deer Scent: Many companies sell bottled deer urine or scent lures. These are readily available and effective for training.

Associating Scent with Reward

The initial stages of scent training focus on creating a positive association.

Choose Your Scent Article: Start with a strong, clear scent, like a commercially produced deer scent wipe or a small piece of deer hide.
Introduce the Scent: Let your dog sniff the article.
Hide the Article: Place the article in a very easy-to-find spot (e.g., under a leaf, near a bush).
Give the Command: Use a clear command, like “Seek” or “Find Scent.”
Reward Success: When your dog sniffs or nudges the article, immediately praise them enthusiastically and give a high-value treat or a favorite toy.

This process teaches your dog that finding that specific scent leads to good things.

Building the Track: Artificial Scent Trails

While natural scent tracking is the ultimate goal, it’s often best to start with artificial scent trails. These allow you to control the difficulty and ensure your dog is learning the mechanics of tracking.

Creating Simple Trails

Choose Your Location: Start in a quiet, familiar area with minimal distractions. A park or your backyard is ideal.
Gather Your Supplies: You’ll need your chosen scent article (e.g., a scent wipe, a small piece of leather soaked in deer scent) and some high-value treats.
Lay the Trail:
- Start with a short, straight trail (10-20 feet).
- Hold the scent article and walk in a straight line, periodically dragging the article along the ground or placing it briefly.
- Place a “flag” or marker at the end of the trail.
- Place your dog in a “sit” at the starting point.
Start the Track:
- Give your chosen command (e.g., “Seek”).
- Encourage your dog to follow the scent.
- When they reach the end and find the article, offer strong praise and a reward.
Progress Gradually: Once your dog is consistently finding short, straight trails, begin to make them longer, add gentle curves, and eventually introduce turns.

Using Training Aids for Tracking Dogs

There are several training aids for tracking dogs that can help create more realistic and challenging trails:

Scent Ropes/Drag Ropes: A rope with scent applied at intervals. You drag this along the ground.
Scent Wipes: Pre-treated wipes that are easy to handle and place.
Scent Sprays: Can be used to mark the trail or enhance scent.
Dummy/Retrieve Articles: You can tie scent articles to a dummy or toy for your dog to retrieve once they find it, adding an element of play.

Introducing Natural Scent Tracking

Once your dog is proficient with artificial trails, you can move towards natural scent tracking. This is where your dog learns to follow the actual scent of a deer.

Principles of Natural Scent Tracking

Natural scent is more complex than artificial scents. It includes:

Body Odor: The scent of the deer itself.
Foot Scents: Left by the deer’s hooves.
Urine and Feces: Can provide strong scent markers.
Disturbed Vegetation: The scent released when a deer moves through plants.

Safely Mimicking Deer Movement

The goal is to create a track that mimics how a deer would actually move.

Controlled Environment: Ideally, practice in an area where you know deer are present but in a controlled manner. This might involve working with a local wildlife authority or using a controlled hunting preserve.
“Legging” the Track: This involves walking a pre-determined route and dropping scent articles or using scent wipes at intervals to mimic a deer’s path.
Older Tracks: Deer tracks are strongest when fresh, but they also fade over time. You can practice on older tracks to build your dog’s ability to follow a fainter scent.
Using the Deer’s Path: If you find a fresh deer track, you can try to have your dog follow it. This is the most direct form of natural scent tracking.

Retrieving Deer Scent

Retrieving deer scent often refers to teaching your dog to bring you a scent article once they’ve found it. This is a crucial step for knowing your dog has successfully completed the track.

“Fetch” or “Retrieve”: If your dog already knows this command, great!
“Bring”: A simpler command for bringing an item to you.
Positive Reinforcement: When your dog finds the scent article, encourage them to pick it up and bring it to you. Reward generously when they do. If they don’t naturally retrieve, you can start by having them nose the article, then gently place it in their mouth, and reward them for holding it. Gradually increase the duration and distance.

Advanced Tracking Techniques and Challenges

As your dog progresses, you’ll encounter more complex scenarios that require refined skills.

Handling Cross-Tracks and Distractions

Deer trails can cross other animal trails or areas with strong ambient scents.

Cross-Tracks: If your dog veers off the main track onto a cross-track, gently interrupt them with your command and guide them back to the original scent. This takes practice.
Distractions: Other animals, interesting smells, or people can divert a dog’s attention. Consistent obedience for tracking is key here. Reinforce the “Leave It” command and keep your dog focused on the primary scent.

Working Different Terrains and Conditions

Terrain: Soft ground, dense underbrush, rocky areas, and water crossings all present unique challenges. Practice in various environments.
Weather: Rain can wash away scent, while dry, hot conditions can make it dissipate quickly. Wind direction is also a significant factor. Your dog will need to learn to work with these conditions, often by casting wider to pick up the scent.

Aging Tracks

Learning to track older, fainter scent requires a highly skilled dog.

Start with Moderately Aged Tracks: Begin with tracks that are a few hours old.
Gradually Increase Age: Slowly increase the time between the track being laid and your dog following it.
Patience is Key: This is one of the most challenging aspects of tracking and requires immense patience from both handler and dog.

Safety First: Ensuring a Positive and Secure Experience

Safety should be the absolute priority throughout the training process.

What to Avoid

Overworking Your Dog: Young puppies and dogs with lower stamina should not be pushed too hard. Short, frequent sessions are better than long, exhausting ones.
Harsh Correction: Never punish your dog for not finding a scent or for making a mistake. This can create anxiety and reluctance to track. Use positive reinforcement.
Unsafe Environments: Never train in areas with heavy traffic, dangerous terrain, or where hunting is occurring without proper safety precautions.
Unsupervised Tracking: Don’t let your dog wander off and track on their own. Always have them on a leash or under strict voice control during training.

Equipment for Safety and Control

Leash: A long lead (15-30 feet) is ideal for training, allowing your dog freedom while maintaining control.
Harness: A well-fitting harness is more comfortable and provides better control than a collar for tracking.
Whistle: A whistle can be an effective way to communicate with your dog at a distance, especially in noisy environments.
GPS Tracker: For safety, especially in large or unfamiliar areas, a GPS tracker on your dog’s collar can provide peace of mind.
First-Aid Kit: Always carry a basic pet first-aid kit for minor injuries.

Communicating with Your Dog

Clear Commands: Use consistent and clear tracking dog commands.
Body Language: Be aware of your own body language. A confident and calm handler encourages a confident dog.
Reading Your Dog: Learn to recognize when your dog is on scent, when they are struggling, or when they are tired.

Putting it All Together: Practical Training Scenarios

Let’s walk through some common training scenarios.

Scenario 1: The Backyard Beginner

Goal: Introduce your dog to a simple deer scent training exercise.
Method:
1. Place a deer scent wipe under a bush in your backyard.
2. Have your dog sit at the house door.
3. Give the command “Seek!” and release them.
4. Praise and reward when they find the wipe.
5. Repeat, making the hide slightly more challenging (e.g., behind a pot).

Scenario 2: Park Trail Practice

Goal: Extend the track length and introduce gentle turns.
Method:
1. Find a quiet section of a park.
2. Lay a 50-foot trail with scent drops every 10 feet. Include one gradual turn.
3. Start your dog at the beginning.
4. If they lose the track, gently encourage them forward. Reward them for staying on it.
5. At the end, have them retrieve deer scent from a dummy.

Scenario 3: Introducing a “Blind” Track

Goal: Have your dog track a trail you didn’t lay yourself (with a helper).
Method:
1. Have a friend lay a 100-foot trail with a few turns.
2. You and your dog wait at a distance while the track is laid.
3. Your friend returns and gives you the starting point.
4. Send your dog to track. This simulates working with information from someone else.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

A: The time commitment varies greatly depending on the dog’s breed, age, individual drive, and the amount of consistent training you provide. For basic scent discrimination and short trails, a few weeks of consistent practice can yield results. For proficient natural scent tracking of older or more challenging trails, it can take months or even years of dedicated training and practice.

Q: Can I train my dog to track deer if I don’t hunt?

A: Absolutely! Scent training is a fantastic mental and physical activity for any dog, regardless of whether you hunt. It taps into their natural instincts and strengthens your bond. You can use commercially available scents for training purposes.

Q: What are the best tracking dog commands to use?

A: Simple, clear, and consistent commands are best. Common examples include:
* “Seek” or “Find”: To initiate the track.
* “On it” or “Good dog”: For praise when they are on scent.
* “Come”: For recall.
* “Stay”: To hold position.
* “Bring” or “Fetch”: For retrieving scent articles.
* “Leave it”: To ignore distractions.

Q: How do I get deer scent safely and ethically?

A: The safest and most ethical way to obtain deer scent for training is by using commercially available products like bottled deer urine or scent wipes. These are designed for this purpose and are readily available from sporting goods stores or online retailers. Avoid attempting to collect scent from live animals or during hunting seasons unless you are a licensed hunter and understand all local regulations.

Q: What if my dog gets distracted while tracking?

A: Distractions are a normal part of training. If your dog gets distracted, calmly use a command like “Leave it” or “Focus.” Gently reel them back to the track if necessary. Consistent practice and starting in low-distraction environments will help build their focus over time. High-value rewards for staying on the track can also be very motivating.

Q: Is it okay to use a drag for laying scent trails?

A: Yes, a drag, especially one designed for scent work or a piece of fabric dragged through scent, is a common and effective method for laying artificial scent trails. It allows you to control the scent distribution and create a consistent path for your dog to follow.