Focussing your dog’s nose

I once encountered another upland hunter in one of my covers. He told me he was looking for a grouse he had hit and was whistling and yelling for his dog to find it. The problem was, his bird dog was already over the horizon, hunting for the next grouse. My own dog had wandered off nearby, circling through the cover. She was there to find birds, not have a tea party. Within a few minutes, she was back — with a live grouse in her mouth. I was surprised, because I wasn’t even in hunt mode yet, and she had already tracked down and retrieved the wing-tipped bird the other hunter had hit. Both dogs had the ability to trail that wounded grouse, but only one was expected to do it. Trailing wounded game is one of the greatest reasons for having a gun dog. More times than I can count, my dogs have retrieved running birds from surprising distances — birds I didn’t even realize I’d hit. Figuring it out Training a dog to trail a runner is fun for both trainer and dog — it helps awaken an instinct they already love to use. When I trained the dog in that story, I involved my young children in the process. Most aspects of bird dog training don’t hold much appeal for kids, but this one was pure fun. All hunting breeds have the nose and the instinct to trail game. Some dogs figure it out on their own, but the earlier you help them develop the skill, the better. Puppies, in particular, don’t yet realize how powerful their noses are and tend to rely on sight instead. The wiener-trail drill With a young pup — or any untrained dog—start simple in the yard, a park, or the woods. Early morning is best if you’re in a public place, when there’s less scent and distraction. Have a helper (or one of your kids) step on and mash a small piece of wiener into the ground. Then have them walk a short distance away, leaving a scent trail from their shoe, and hide another piece of wiener in tall grass or light cover. The treat must be hidden so the pup can’t find it by sight. Your helper should then backtrack along the same path to you, and their footwear should be sealed in a plastic bag. If you’re