Quick Answer
For plott hound bear and boar hunting, I recommend focusing on tracking skills first due to the importance of a cold nose in locating these animals.
Prioritizing Tracking Skills
When hunting mountain terrain with a plott hound, tracking skills take precedence over obedience. A strong tracking foundation allows your dog to locate scents in various weather conditions, essential for hunting bear and boar. I recommend spending a minimum of 20 hours in the field with your dog, allowing them to develop their tracking skills and scent memory.
Building a Strong Foundation
To establish a strong tracking foundation, focus on teaching your dog the “follow” command, where they track a scent trail at a distance. Start with short tracks (100-200 yards) and gradually increase the distance as your dog becomes more confident. Use a variety of scents, including animal tracks and human scent, to help your dog learn to distinguish between different odors.
Integrating Obedience with Tracking
Once your dog has a solid tracking foundation, you can begin incorporating obedience training into your sessions. Start with basic commands like “stay” and “come,” then gradually introduce more advanced commands while your dog is tracking a scent. This will help your dog learn to stay focused on the task at hand while responding to your commands. Aim to spend at least 30 minutes per day on obedience training, with a minimum of 5 minutes per day in the field.
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