Ok, so I hunt using hawks, falcons, air rifles and a crossbow. Does anyone know if its possible to use a german shepherd to chase and catch quarry? I know lurchers, hounds etc can, never seen a GSD do it though, any ideas?
Keith
Keith
Hunting With My Dog
- Thread starter armaggedonx
- Start date
Well they weren't exactly bred for those traits so probably not. Also how old is the dog? My father trains Labrador Retrievers in his spare time for duck, pheasant and goose hunting. You have to start them at a very early age when their still puppies or they'll never become good at retrieving/hunting.
She is 16 months, she will give chase and when she is RIGHT at it, she doesnt quite know what to do. By hunting also I mean by flushing and let her chase or lamping at night, onto rabbits, that usually gives us about 4 - 6 seconds to aim and shoot a rabbit so im guessing she would be able to be right upon it before it starts to run.
Work on prey drive - tug toys are great
Start ASAP
Don't count on your GSD "pointing" - but retrieving should be fine
GSDs are not "natural" hunting dogs, but with the right foundation, should be fine for at least retrieving your catch.
If you decide to run with this, consider a Dogtra training collar. They are expensive (+/- $200) but NICE. Big range, finite correction controls, weather resistant, and has a vibrate/page feature as well as the shock. Remote training collars are in many opinions, necessary for training any dog to hunt as you have to send them out further than you can control with a leash.
Run some google searches on hunting dog training.
Prey drive training will get her to do something once she is "right at it". Unfortunately prey drive varies depending on the individual dog, not just the breed. GSD are used for sport (schutzhund/french ring) and prey drive is a good part of those sports, it is a matter of honing the drive and encouraging it.
Start ASAP
Don't count on your GSD "pointing" - but retrieving should be fine
GSDs are not "natural" hunting dogs, but with the right foundation, should be fine for at least retrieving your catch.
If you decide to run with this, consider a Dogtra training collar. They are expensive (+/- $200) but NICE. Big range, finite correction controls, weather resistant, and has a vibrate/page feature as well as the shock. Remote training collars are in many opinions, necessary for training any dog to hunt as you have to send them out further than you can control with a leash.
Run some google searches on hunting dog training.
Prey drive training will get her to do something once she is "right at it". Unfortunately prey drive varies depending on the individual dog, not just the breed. GSD are used for sport (schutzhund/french ring) and prey drive is a good part of those sports, it is a matter of honing the drive and encouraging it.
I have recently started lookin into falconry and come across a few forums that might help you out... the one i'd recommend above all others (regardless of their sometimes bad attitudes) is NAFEX.net
they have a hole section for hunting dogs and they might help
they have a hole section for hunting dogs and they might help