Training a Shed Dog?

[bowhuntersd]

I have a 10mth old lab and have been teaching him basic obediance skills but would like to teach him to hunt for sheds. He is a great retreiver but if he can't see where it goes he doesn't seem to go hunt for it. Has anyone trained a shed dog?
What are some tricks I could do to make it fun and make him more interested in hunting?
Thanks Shane

[wackmaster]

Only let him play with horns instead of toys. Play fetch with horns. Let him play with brown and white horns. Then go hide horns around you place and when he finds them give a reward.

[bowhuntersd]

That's kind-of what I've been doing but when I hide them he just looks at me like I'm stupid. But I'll diffently keep trying.

[bow4elk]

http://www.antlerdogs.com/default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

you could try this...

[ladyelkslayer]

keep playing fetch with the antlers.  instead of "hiding" them, just set them in the open, but lock your dog inside or where he/she cant see where you are putting them.  once the dog is bringing those back, then gradually start hiding them in more difficult spots (but where they are still visible like a tine or base sticking out)such as next to a bush or in tall grass, then eventually to where they are not visible.  praise and reward can go a long way. the only time my dogs get treats is if they bring back an antler. once they get the treat, i throw it for them a time or two, because they LOVE to fetch.  really over exagerate the "GOOD BOY!!" get on your hands and knees and pet him a lot....if he sees you so excited about him/her bringing you the horn, he will get just as excited!

Hope this helps, good luck, and keep us posted!!

[ladyelkslayer]

oh, and this may also help...before feeding the dog, hold an antler in front of his nose, so it can associate the smell of the antler with food, and practice right before it eats...this is working with the lastest pup, and its how drug dogs and arson investigators are trained.

Steavon Hornbeck is a great friend of mine, and he is the one who has helped train our dogs.  he wrote this article that was published in the North American Whitetail Magazine.

http://www.northamericanwhitetail.com/huntingtactics/ht_0903sheds/