like any animal, you have to train them for the desired response. Some come easier than others. There are some specific training you must do for shed hunting. There is a video out there on how to teach dogs to hunt sheds. Can't think of the name. One thing I do know, most guys start off hiding sheds etc. Typically, they are teaching their dog to track their own scent trail to an object which smells like the owner. (shed they've handled)
I had a guy come out and I watched him go plant sheds. He'd leave his dog in the truck and walk around the field putting sheds in grass cover. Dog found every shed. He was so happy about the progress he thought he was making. I talked to him about a few things he'd missed along the way in his shed hunting training. I asked if he had a buddy who had some sheds. He said yes. I had him call his buddy. Tell his buddy to put on gloves and put his sheds(buddy's sheds) in a plastic garbage bag and seal it tight. He then brought his dog, the bag of sheds he had not touched over. I took the sheds, put on plastic gloves and hopped on the quad. I then stashed the sheds via quad and placed a survey ribbon at the location.
Unfortunately, the guys' dog didn't find a single shed or, even want to pick up the sheds when taken right to them. The game he's learned is follow dads foot tracks, find the toy that dad has me chew on/play with at home.
I think you'd need to take baby steps. Having them recognize a shed is good as pup. You'll then probably need to turn finding sheds into a game of scenting. Importantly, not scenting you but, the object you desire.(sheds) Start easy with one around the house in the back yard in plain sight. Lots of praise. Make the game progressively more difficult over 6 months. Key importance. Try to keep the sheds smelling like sheds and not you. handle them with gloves, wash them, keep them in plastic garbage bags etc.
