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German Shepherds are, without a doubt, the world’s most popular breed of dogs. With this kind of popularity comes a whole lot of responsibility – both good and bad.
Some of the German Shepherd breed’s biggest fans are hunters, using their incredible prey-tracking abilities to bag some of the world’s most amazing games.
German shepherd hunting dog qualities are undeniable. In this post, we explore whether these massive dogs are suitable for hunting, what makes them good for it, and how exactly they do it.
Can German Shepherds Be Trained to Be Hunting Dogs?
If you’re thinking ” Can German Shepherds be hunting dogs?”, the answer is “Yes”, They are great hunters, and people who are passionate about tracking down prey choose the German Shepherd for hunting.
In addition, German Shepherds are very patient, obedient, smart, fearless, and have good stamina which makes them highly reliable for this activity. They are able to remain still for long periods of time and wait for the right moment to attack their prey. This is what makes the German shepherd hunting dog a powerful one.
What Characterizes a Good Hunting Dog?
Hunting dogs are outstanding and possess a wide range of characteristics. Let’s address the following question first.
What is a good hunting dog?
Good hunting dog breeds should be obedient, have a good nose, be able to track the game, and be able to retrieve the game. The characteristics listed above are what make a hunting dog good. They should be able to work alone, or as a team. They need to be able to move around freely and not get lost. They also need to be able to carry heavy loads without losing their focus. And lastly, they must be able to bring back the game.
About the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a breed of dog that is popular for its loyalty and obedience. It is also known for its strength and intelligence, which makes it an ideal working dog. German Shepherds are often used as police dogs, military dogs, and service dogs. They are very popular in America, especially in the Midwest. The dog’s name is German for “searcher.”
The original purpose of the German Shepherd was to herd sheep. In the 17th century, a major increase in the population of wolves and bandits led to the need for a powerful yet obedient guard dog. This led to the development of the German Shepherd breed. The breed was first used as an all-purpose farm dog, but with time it became more specialized and focused on herding.
German Shepherd Dimensions
German Shepherds are very large dogs. They typically weigh between 75 and 95 pounds. German Shepherds also have very long legs. Their bodies are usually about 26 inches long.
Females
| Height: 22 – 24 inches |
| Weight: 50 – 75 pounds |
Males
| Height: 24 – 26 inches |
| Weight: 65 – 90 pounds |
German Shepherd Temperament
German shepherds are an exceptional breed. They are alert and attentive and will bark to warn you of any strangers or potential threats. They need plenty of exercise and socialization and can be territorial if not properly trained. They are intelligent and obedient, making them great family pets.
Training Your German Shepherd to Hunt
One of the great things about German Shepherds is that they are easily trained to do a variety of tasks. This includes hunting, which can be a great way to bond with your dog while also getting some exercise.
When training your German hunting dog, start by teaching them basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, and come. Once your dog has a good understanding of these commands, you can begin working on more specific hunting skills.
For example, you can teach your dog to track a scent, flush out the game, and retrieve a bird or other animal. With patience and consistency, you can turn your German Shepherd into a skilled hunting companion.
The Scent Trails Technique
This is a method that can be used to train your German Shepherd to hunt.
- The first step is to create a scent trail for the dog to follow. This can be done by using a piece of cloth or paper that has been soaked in a strong-smelling substance like vinegar.
- The second step is to teach the dog to follow the scent trail. This can be done by having the dog on a leash and walking it along the trail.
- The third step is to reward the dog for following the trail. This can be done by giving the dog a treat or a toy.
Use food to make a smell trail
You can use food to make a smell trail to train your German shepherd to hunt. This is a great way to teach your dog how to follow a scent and find prey. You can use any type of food that has a strong smell, such as liver or cheese. Put a small amount of food on a piece of cloth or paper, and then drag it along the ground. The scent will help your dog to track the food and find it.
Direct along trail
First, take your dog for a walk along a trail. As you walk, keep an eye out for the game. When you see the game, give your dog the command to hunt. Once your dog is hunting, praise him or her for a job well done.
Combine deer scent with food
You can also train your German Shepherd to be an even better hunter by combining deer scent with food.
Start by putting some deer scent on a piece of food, and then gradually increase the amount of deer scent until your dog is comfortable with it.
Once your dog is used to the deer scent, you can start taking him on hunts and using the deer scent to help him find and track the game.
Reward successful tracking
If you want your German shepherd to be a successful hunter, you need to reward it for tracking prey. This will train your dog to follow the scent of its prey and eventually lead you to it. German shepherds are natural hunters and with the right training, they can be very successful at it.
Add signal
To train your German Shepherd to hunt, start by adding a signal that tells the dog to start looking for the prey. This can be a whistle blast, a hand signal, or a word of command.
Next, take your dog to an area where there is likely to be a prey, such as a field or woods. Allow the dog to sniff around and get a sense of the area.
When you see prey, give the signal and let the dog chase it. Be sure to praise the dog when it catches the game.
The Method of Deer Blood
If you want your German shepherd to be a successful hunter, you need to start training them early. One method that is gaining popularity is using deer blood. You can use this method as following
Introduce deer blood
Expose your dog to the scent of deer blood, which will trigger their hunting instincts. The deer blood can be applied to a rag or piece of cloth, and then placed in an area where your dog will smell it. Once they get a good whiff of the deer blood, they should be ready to start hunting.
Construct an easy trail
You will need to construct an easy trail for the dog to follow. You can do this by using small pieces of meat or other food items that have a strong scent. When the dog is able to follow the trail, you can then move on to using deer blood.
Encourage scenting trail
You can do this by smearing deer blood on an object and letting your dog sniff it. Once your dog is following the scent, you can give it a treat.
The reward for finding the drag item
A reward is offered for finding the drag item to train your German shepherd to hunt with the method of deer blood. This is a traditional hunting method that has been used for centuries.
Increase signal and complexity
There are a few things you can do to increase the signal and complexity when training your German Shepherd to hunt with deer blood.
- One is to use a higher concentration of deer blood in the training area. This will create a stronger scent for the dog to follow.
- Another is to use a deer pelt or other object that has the deer’s scent on it to help the dog zero in on the scent.
- Finally, you can add some complexity to the training by hiding the deer blood in different places or using different objects to hold it. This will help the dog to use its nose to find the deer’s blood even when it is not directly in front of it.
The Method of Learning by Doing
One of the best ways to train your German Shepherd to hunt is by using the method of learning by doing. This involves providing your dog with opportunities to practice hunting skills in a safe and controlled environment. By allowing your dog to experience the thrill of the hunt, you can be sure that they will be motivated to continue learning and improving their skills.
Discover the landscape
By teaching your dog to follow your lead and use its natural instincts, you can turn them into a hunting machine in no time. With a little patience and some practice, your German Shepherd will be ready to take on the great outdoors and bring home the bacon.
Introduce hunting companion
You may want to consider introducing a hunting companion to help your German Shepherd training. This can be done by having the companion help with things like fetching games and scouting for prey. Doing so will not only help your dog become a better hunter but can also form a strong bond between the two of them.
Make a scent trail or look for a nature track
To make a scent trail, you will need to find a suitable location that has a strong scent. Once you have found a location, you will need to place some food or a toy at the end of the trail. Then, you will need to lead your dog to the beginning of the trail and let them sniff around. Once they have found the food or toy, they will follow the trail to the end.
To look for a nature track, you will need to find an area where there are a lot of animals. Once you have found an area, you will need to let your dog sniff around. If they find an animal trail, you can follow it to the end.
Generate interest
One way to generate interest in training your German shepherd for hunting is by doing it yourself. Show your dog that you’re interested in the activity and he or she will likely follow suit.
You can also try involving your German shepherd in other aspects of hunting, such as setting up the equipment or accompanying you on walks in the woods.
If you make hunting fun and a positive experience for your dog, he or she will be more likely to want to participate in it.
Intensify looking for prey
This can be done by looking in areas where there is a high concentration of prey, or by using methods that will attract prey. Once you have found an area with a high concentration of prey, you can then begin to train your German shepherd.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fun way to bond with your German Shepherd and get them some exercise, why not try hunting? Hunting is a great activity for dogs of all ages and can be a great way to introduce them to the great outdoors. To get started, simply take your dog to a nearby hunting area and let them explore.
Once they’ve had a chance to sniff around and get comfortable, it’s time to start training. Start by teaching your dog basic obedience commands, such as sit, stay, and come. Then, move on to more specific hunting commands, such as ” flush” and “retrieve.” With a little patience and practice, you’ll have your furry friend hunting like a pro in no time!
