How should I train my dog for tracking work?

"Hunting without a dog is a disgrace" is a common hunting wisdom that still holds true even in times of the latest technology. Our four-legged hunting companions eagerly provide us with the urgently needed assistance as pointing dogs during driven hunts, as flushing dogs during driven hunts, or simply as pleasant company during prolonged sitting.

Not every hunter participates in social hunts, and not all who do are reliant on a dog. 

However, despite the most precise rifles and state-of-the-art optics, every hunter at some point relies on the services of a tracking dog when the shot game does not lie as hoped at the point of impact. For this unwanted scenario to occur, a bad shot does not even have to be the case. Even perfectly hit game can sometimes run a flight distance of up to hundreds of meters. 

For this reason, every passionate hunter who acquires a dog strives to teach it the basics of tracking, among other skills. However, those who seek information in their surroundings on how to best imprint their dog on the tracking trail often find themselves more confused the more experienced hunters they consult. Because the instructions and well-meaning advice can differ greatly. 

Some examples:

"You definitely need to drop a trail with cattle blood from the slaughterhouse - never use blood from the hunted game." 

"Definitely use boar blood, make sure that at the end of the trail there is a piece of the same boar, otherwise the dog will be confused and lose interest in the tracking trail." 

"Tracking shoes are absolutely necessary!"

"No one needs tracking shoes; the dog will notice that you walked there."

These are the pieces of advice that this author of the article encountered in his hunting environment when asking for tips on training his Kopov male. Good advice is truly hard to come by.

Where can I find a good tracking dog training?

In this case, the GEARTESTER ACADEMY offers an online course that introduces the essential basics of tracking dog training. The experts guiding the individual lessons are the tracking professionals Daniela and Stefan Mayer from the Schwarzwald tracking dog station, who successfully complete between 150 and 200 challenging tracking tasks each year.

The course is professionally recorded and consists of 13 detailed and understandable video lessons, covering everything from the basics of tracking work to the professional laying and working of trails. Additionally, it provides both novice and experienced dog handlers with a deeper understanding of their four-legged hunting companions. 

The course also makes an excellent birthday or Christmas gift.