How to Train a Squirrel Dog

People have been hunting with dogs for centuries, and the tradition continues today with all kinds of breeds. In order to hunt well with a dog, you need a dog that is well trained. Training your dog to hunt can be a time-consuming task that requires patience, but the task doesn't need to be difficult. In just a few short steps, you can train your dog to hunt squirrel and other animals that climb.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wooded area with trees
• Small ball
• 20 to 25 feet of string
• Squirrel hide, tail or dead squirrel
• Edible dog treats
• Squirrel cage
• Live squirrel

How to Train a Squirrel Dog

1. Take the dog on short walks in the wooded area in which you intend to hunt squirrel. This will get the dog used to the area and will decrease the likelihood that the dog will run off while excited.

2. Toss a ball 5 to 10 feet in the air in front of the dog and say "squirrel 'em" or "look up." Omit the ball and repeat the tossing motion once the dog is used to following the ball with his eyes. This teaches the dog to look up, where squirrels would be in trees.

3. Tie one end of the string around the trainer (squirrel hide, tail or dead squirrel). Drag the trainer on the ground in front of the dog and let him chase it.

4. Hold onto the free end of the trainer string, and toss the trainer over a low tree branch. Pull on the free end of the trainer string to raise the trainer up the tree. Reward the dog with a treat when the dog barks while the trainer is high up in the tree.

5. Place a live squirrel in a cage, and move the cage on the ground in front of the dog to get the dog excited about the live animal.

6. Using the same technique as with the trainer, pull the live squirrel in the cage up a tree in front of the dog. Reward the dog when the dog barks with the squirrel high in the tree.

7. Release the live squirrel, and let the dog chase after it. If the dog trees the live squirrel, reward the dog with a treat. This may take several attempts, since the squirrel will be fast, and the dog may need a few tries to realize what is happening.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute other skins, tails and animals, such as raccoons, to hunt other species that can climb trees. Make sure your dog has been trained in basic obedience, so he will come to you when you call. Let a new hunting dog watch one that is already trained; the new dog may copy the trained dog's actions.
• Never try to take the trainer or squirrel directly from a dog's mouth, unless the dog releases it to you, especially if the dog growls when you extend your hand toward the trainer or squirrel. An excited dog may revert to instinct and try to bite, if you try to take the trainer or squirrel away too forcibly.

Resources

• Squirrel dog breeding, registries, articles, and more