Training a Squirrel Dog
This is a summary of our experience in working with & training squirrel dogs.
We are still making some adjustments to this page & will be expounding on some of the topics below, so check back.
This page is only for your reference. We do not train squirrel dogs to sell. If you have questions, please contact us!
Before you Begin Hunting
Basic Obedience, Bonding & Socialization
- BONDING: Bond with your puppy - build his trust & confidence in you.
- BASIC OBEDIENCE:
- Teach basic obedience commands
- No
- Sit/Stay
- Come/Here
- Load Up/Kennel
- Speak
- Teach walking politely on a leash
- Teach basic obedience commands
- SOCIALIZATION: Use your discretion when introducing your pup to these, & be mindful of your puppy. If he’s apprehensive, don’t push him. Always reward curiosity.
- Other Dogs
- Different Terrains
- Vehicles: Trucks, Cars, ATVs, Boats (you may boat in to a WMA)
- Loud Noises (this comes into play with guns later on)
- Squirrel Tails/Hides
- TRAINING: Train in short, fun sessions. End the training before your puppy becomes distracted, bored, or tired.
Beginning the Hunt
Woods, Squirrels & Guns
- IN THE WOODS:
- Expect to wear out a pair of boots training your pup.
- Continue taking pup to the woods, on his own, for leisurely adventures. He is learning - to get over obstacles, to wade through water, the sights, sounds & smells of the woods, etc!
- HUNTING SKILLS:
- Teach puppy to look up, by tying a squirrel to the tree out of reach. You can add scent to this by placing the scent on the tree trunk, never the ground.
- Begin introducing your pup to gunfire only after they are no longer fearful of/startled by other random, loud noises. We always start with a .22 and lots of positive reinforcement. The pup must associate the bang with a positive reward.
- INTRO TO SQUIRRELS:
- Utilize a squirrel tail/hide tied to a pole to introduce your pup to their scent. This also creates a visual, necessary for tree dogs. Once your pup is interested, you can tie it to a tree & tell him to speak. These first ‘treed’ barks are always rewarded & repeated to lay the foundation for future hunts.
- Set your pup up for success. Take him to a place where there are numerous squirrels and small timber which will allow him to see the squirrels. (hardwoods in fall/winter when the leaves are down)
- If you use a caged squirrel, let him approach at his own pace. Never throw him onto it or toward it.
- INTRO TO GUNS
- coming soon
Also...
If he’s not cooperating, take a break from training. If you’ve had a long day, skip the training session to avoid the risk of negative association. Just play with your dog.
There will be times to LEAVE a squirrel!
If your dog doesn’t perform properly, do not shoot that squirrel. The squirrel is the reward. Make sure that your reward only reinforces the right behaviors.
For example, if he barks on a tree & the squirrel is 2 trees over, LEAVE it.