Many hunters dream of having a trusted hunting dog for a day out in the woods. Training your pup to blood track deer, however, takes persistence and patience to bring this skill to fruition. Here's how a recent kill and the right dog accessories can help train your companion for the hunt.

How to Train Your Dog to Blood Track Deer

1. Prepare to Create a Trail

The most effective way to train a hunting dog’s sense of smell is with actual deer blood rather than other alternatives. Consider this factor on your upcoming hunts so that you can collect blood to freeze for training, as well as small chunks of meat to use as rewards. 

Once you have a substantial stock to work with for training, you’ll need a squeeze bottle to define trails to track. Deer blood is relatively thick in consistency, so you have two options to make it work in a squeeze bottle. You can either strain it before use to thin it out, or you can cut a larger hole on the cap.

2. Show Them the Scent

When first introducing your dog to the deer scent, show them a piece of deer meat and allow them to familiarize themselves with the smell. Then, plan out the trail that you and your dog will take by walking it on your own, squeezing the bottle every couple yards. Let the deer blood trail rest for around four hours before taking your dog to trace it. 

Begin their training on a leash, showing them where the trail starts and rewarding them regularly as they follow the scent. Start with straight paths that your dog can easily track, then progress to 90-degree turns aimed at confusing your pup. When they correctly track the change in course, reward them, and generally offer rewards throughout the session to motivate them. 

3. Let Them Search

Once your pup gets comfortable with tracking a scent, have them find the trail on their own during your guided walks. As you progress, make the path longer and the twists and turns more intricate. Gradually increasing the difficulty will help them become self-sufficient, limiting the need for a leash and other dog accessories.

Finally, before putting your dog to the test during a real hunt, create trails in an area where deer are known to roam. This final phase of training can take some trial and error to keep them focused on the path rather than a new hot line, but with patience and consistency, your dog will perfect the ways of the hunt. 

 

Whether you’re just beginning training for your pup or hunting alongside an old pro, your dog needs a collar that can handle the wear-and-tear of a day-long hunt. Over Under Clothing prides itself on quality dog accessories as good-looking as the merch they sell to their owners. From dog collars to leashes and more, they have you and your furry friend covered. For more information and to order your favorite styles, visit their website or call (904) 619-0577 today.