training tips and advice

[igor05]

hi there I'm a new hunter getting into the sport(and loving it) i am thinking about getting a dog for compainship/tracking (deer) and was wondering if anybody out there had any good advice on how to train and what breed to get and tips would be greatly tacking aboard thanks alot

[bjd]

i know most of the pro goat shooters for D.O.C etc  use indicating dogs, visla etc , but i have a young pig dog that could be a brilliant indicator dog and she is only a heading dog/lab x...goaties also seem too use border collies..very clever dog..easy too train..exotic breeds like waimaraner etc ..are very hyper in my experience..but very good when trained properly..one thing i suggest is don't get someone else's rubbish..get a young pup and start from scratch, teach it obedience and the rest will be easy..don't let it chase deer,my main pig dog is a border collie x, who is a finder from hell on pigs ..but i can use her as an indicator on deer,she is not remotely interested in deer ..when she is pig hunting,good luck it will take your hunting to a new level..good fun trying too read the dogs signs etc, i took the border colliex for a controlled walk and she indicated this spiker, he walked to within 40 metres of us..so i smoked him ..the dog was not on a lead at all, but she is 7 years old..big difference to a young dog

[igor05]

hey thanks bjd ant advice is good advice im going to have a look at a lab x collie pup 2moro so think i will get it going on your comments cheers and good hunting

[Jeff_S]

There's two things that I find can bring out some strong opinions with hunters: rifle calibre and dog breed       

BJD has offered some sound advice and I'd definitely agree. Those pointing breeds can be highly strung and demanding. But they're great if you put the time in and definitely don't let them dominate you.

I use a lab on deer and she's pretty good. The ole labs have their faults too, but I reckon training is equally as important as the breed ... and possibly more so.

I spent a LOT of time with Mazz when she was younger and much of that was making sure she wouldn't break and chase deer. I've been with mates' dogs that do that and it's damned frustrating. Once they start doing it, it's darned hard to sort it out too. I started Mazz as a pup on a deer skin. I'd hide it in the bush and let her find it and hold still on a lead, before rewarding her with food. Then we moved on to goats ... I kept her on the lead and would hold her still when we got onto animals. I didn't shoot all of them and she learned to stick by my side and not to pull on the lead.

Then we moved on to deer ... still with the lead. A pain in the @rse trying to hunt in the bush while holding a lead, but she got the idea quick enough and the lead was put away. I bought an electric collar after that and only had to zap her a couple of times. I haven't used it for ages now. When we see an animal she moves to my side and waits for the shot. Sometimes get a bit excited during a prolonged stalk/hold and lets out a whine ... which is quickly 'rewarded' with a good thump! It does add another level of intensity though, having the dog there when the animals are in real close   

Don't get me wrong, the bitch has her faults (mostly 'cos she's my first hunting dog and I learnt a lot during the training process). Sometimes I could strangle her ... but more often than not she does the job and I miss having her on the odd trip when she can't come.

I fully agree with BJD that obedience training is the key. As far as breeds go, a lab/collie X sure could be a goodie for what you're wanting. I'd be keen to see pics and progress reports on the forum   

[Bellbird]

I think a strong eyed one to cross over would be good for the job.
Heading dogs can be plain eyed or strong.
Strong eyed is when they fix hard on the sheep. Indicating. Dog trialing type.

A light cord can be tied around the waist. Nuturally that has some problems at the start. ie dog going one way when you go the other. But eventually it gets worked out.
Keeping the dog in is really important for deer.

[bjd]

I don't know how much experience you have with dogs, but a dog obedience course with your local kennel club would soon get you in the drivers seat..labs have got an awesome nose my lab x  pup ' 11 months' indicated this stag ..maybe she would make a good cadaver dog??  the other thing to consider is dog or bitch , i personally have 3 bitches ..i find them easier to handle

[igor05]

hey thanks for all the advice whats a good age to start training my partner has brought a pup home instead off the one i wanted but i will give it a go and see how i get on.she is an 8 week old ridgeback x mastiff x bull terrier which makes me think she is more suited to pigs but i reckon with some good training i will get her doing what i want her to do. She has already shown great intrest in my chamois skin that i have on my lounge floor so thats a start i reckon. I will try the deer skin training as soon as i get one(told you i was new to deer hunting lol) Jeff as for guns what do you recommend i am looking at a .270 but have noticed that .303's are quite cheaper i am using a mates .270 at the moment i really like it its damn good on the chamois .brd good stuff with that spiker i have had a fair bit of experience with dogs as i used to do alot of shooting game birds but now i have got deer fever so once i get her obedient all this advice will come into play thanks alot all advice is much appreciated and happy hunting

[Jeff_S]

hey thanks for all the advice whats a good age to start training my partner has brought a pup home instead off the one i wanted but i will give it a go and see how i get on.she is an 8 week old ridgeback x mastiff x bull terrier which makes me think she is more suited to pigs but i reckon with some good training i will get her doing what i want her to do. She has already shown great intrest in my chamois skin that i have on my lounge floor so thats a start i reckon. I will try the deer skin training as soon as i get one(told you i was new to deer hunting lol) Jeff as for guns what do you recommend i am looking at a .270 but have noticed that .303's are quite cheaper i am using a mates .270 at the moment i really like it its damn good on the chamois .brd good stuff with that spiker i have had a fair bit of experience with dogs as i used to do alot of shooting game birds but now i have got deer fever so once i get her obedient all this advice will come into play thanks alot all advice is much appreciated and happy hunting

Um, weeeelll ... my comment about dog breeds and rifle calibres was 'cos I was a bit apprehensive about commenting on dog breeds ... it can lead to all sorts of "discussions"       
So I feel even more cautious about following up with a calibre recommendation!        

I guess I can just say that I used a 303 for a few years and they kill deer the same as any calibre if you hit 'em in the right place. But I've since gone to 7mm-08 and find it a good all-round calibre for me. But hey, the .270 has stood the test of time and does a great job. As does the 6.5mm, .243, .308, etc, etc, etc!  If you like the .270 then go for it mate. One suggestion might be to consider the Tikka T3 stainless in a .270 'cos I reckon they're excellent value for money and if you're gonna get a T3 you're better off getting the .270 'cos they're all the long action anyway - so maybe not much advantage in going with the .308 family with that particular shooter. I'd also suggest spending money on the best scope you can buy and not get quite as carried away with choosing calibre.  Hope that's a diplomatic but useful answer?!     

Anway, back to topic: age to start training ya pup. You could take it along to puppy obedience school which is a good start for them. But possibly not get too carried away with getting it onto animals until a bit later. I started Mazz a bit young ('cos I was so keen to get hunting with a dog) and in retrospect should have waited a bit longer. BJD and others will have had way more experience with hounds and their opinions would be more valuable, but that's my 2c worth   

Do you have a pic of the new pup?!   

[igor05]

thanks again jeff i have pi but dont know how to make it small enough to post how do i do that?

[Jeff_S]

thanks again jeff i have pi but dont know how to make it small enough to post how do i do that?

There's some instructions here:
http://www.wildhunts.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=125&Itemid=431

and also a thread if you navigate down the forum to the "Wild Hunts Information & Admin" board   

[igor05]

cool got that sorted cheers. Here is my future deer tracker and one of my first chamois which had 8 and half inch horns so was quite stoked

[igor05]

opps stuffed that up here we go

[bjd]

yep its a dog..thats a start....i'm with Jeff re the .303 it was the most available rifle when i started..back in the lost years, they now make a really good tomato  stake for your garden, don't start your pup to early..don't  teach it aggression in any form ..otherwise the mastiff/bull terrier will take over..bull terrier can be the most loyal loving dogs if treated right,they can also be the meanest mothaf..krs this side of the black stump..they suffer a symptom called lockjaw..when really wound up and then they bite their prey there jaw will lock , you can't prise their teeth open...it won't matter if its the neighbours prized horse or your kids throat , be warned this aint no poodle ..good luck

[igor05]

i agree bjd will not be teaching her any aggro as she is growing up around my 3 boys and so she will be trained to not have any aggro. Will wait till i have the basic obedience trained first before i get into the hunting stuff. I think i am going to end up with a .270 cause I'm using my mates and its a nice rifle plenty of stopping power and minimal kick to it my mates just brought a 7mm .08 so will be interesting to see how that shots cheers all