How to Train a German Shepherd to Find Sheds

Shed hunting with your German Shepherd is a fun activity to do in the spring and summer and can be quite prosperous, depending on the price of antlers each year. Though many people think of shed hunting dogs as bird dogs, Ggerman Shepherds are actually very well suited for this job because they have great stamina and are good at tracking. With some patience and practice, your buddy will be at home cruising over public lands and searching for elk or deer sheds.

Hunting sheds in the spring is an incredible pastime that will get you out enjoying the outdoors with your four-legged friend and will give those long walks a fun purpose. It might take some time, but with the right training routine, your Shepherd will happily bring you enough sheds to decorate your home, make handmade crafts, or sell for a little extra spending money. 

While German Shepherds might not be the first breed you think of as a shed hunting dog,  they are exceptionally well-suited for this kind of work. These kinds of dogs need jobs to keep themselves out of trouble, so teaching your Shepherd to find sheds is just the ticket. 

There are a few key points to pay attention to when you begin training that will help move things along and keep you from running into roadblocks or getting frustrated. Always be firm, but never yell or show aggression. Keep the training sessions short and always end on a positive note so he doesn't get discouraged. Remember to make the training fun. Shed hunting is going to be a new hobby for the both of you, so it should be fun from the very start. Have patience and take your time progressing through the steps. Soon you'll have so many antler sheds you won't know what to with them all.

Training your German Shepherd to find antler sheds requires a little more than just time and patience. It's a targeted skill so you'll need some specialty items to get started.

• An old antler, on the small side
• Rack Wax
• A long leash
• Treats
• A swath of public land or ranch land

Remember to only give your dog the antler during training, and make it fun. Read through the three methods below for training your dog to find sheds and pick the best one for you. With time and consistency, you'll soon be wandering the landscapes in spring and finding lots of sheds.