Registered: Jun 2003
Location: N.E. Michigan
Posts: 197

Does anyone out there have any suggestions on how they teach
a young dog to load up?

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 4321

This is something I require a pup to know before I take it to the woods. I hate to lift a dog in, when they are big enough to jump.

I start by taking the dog box out. Its a little intimidating for a pup to look up at that hole that they are supposed to launch themselves in to. Then, I will park the pickup so the rear wheels are in a ditch or something with the idea of getting the tailgate to be as low to the ground as possible. Then, basically you can lead the dog, walk up, and step up into the truck bed. Use a verbal command at the same time. I always just say, "C'mon!". When the dog steps up into the truck bed, praise it. At first you might have to practically drag it into the truck bed, but praise it anyway and let is walk around in the bed and get familiar with it. After a few times of doing this, let it ignore you when you walk up to the tailgate and give the command and then scold the dog mildly. Gradually park the truck so that the tailgate is higher and higher. If the dog has too much problem, lower it back down. After the tailgate is full height, then put the dog box back in and lower it down and start over and gradually raise it up.

Like all things, repetitive training, keeping it fun, and balancing the praise and punishment will allow your dog to learn quick and keep it fun. 10 minutes a day for maybe a week or so are usually enough for the dog to learn this for life.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: N.E. Michigan
Posts: 197

Thank you for the advice John.I'll give it ago and see what hap-
pens.thanks again

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: bainbridge ny
Posts: 812

JOHN HAS THE WAY TO DOIT BUT I'M KINDA LAZY SO I LET THE KIDS PLAY IN YHE TRUCK BED AND THE PUPS JUMP IN TO BE WITH THEM AND BEFOR YOU KNOW IT THEY WILL JUMP IN ANY TIME THE TAILGATE IS DOWN THEN PUT THE BOX IN AND THEY GO IN

__________________
keep them english and keep them looking up.
the rooster will crow again.

I would rather live
my life as if there is a God,
cell phone 607 316 8667
And die to find out
there isn't, than live my life

As if there isn't,
and die to find out there is

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: vt
Posts: 1256

wayne where do i get the kids ? naa just kidding .

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location:
Posts: 4312

I got a couple Ill loan ya for awhile Pete. LOL

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Canton, Georgia
Posts: 1630

i take my young pups and feed them in the dogbox a few times with the box on the ground. they start thinking if they go in there they get to eat. then i start rewarding them with a treat when they go in it, doing this in repetition till they bore with it. don't over do it. as they get old enough to jump i move to the pickup and do the same. after several hunting trips the trip becomes the reward and they load fine. my dogs might not tree a coon, but they load great...lol



jeff w.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Talala, Oklahoma
Posts: 5208

A few hot dog weiners will usually help out as rewards if need be.

I have a buddy that has the most novel method of getting young dogs to load I ever saw. It is very effective, but might not meet with universal approval.

He has a Rat Terrier that helps him out. If a young dog doesn't learn to load pretty quick by conventional methods, he leads them to the back of the truck and gets in it himself. He calls his little female Rat Terrier over and says the magic word: "Get 'em Bug!"

The aforementioned Rat Terrier wil then sink her teeth in the dog's hindquarter vigorously and repeatedly. The smarter the dog is, the quicker they figure out that safety is in the back of the truck. A few sessions like this, and they can't wait to get in the truck.

The Rat Terrier enjoys it, too.

__________________
It takes a big man to cry; it takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2003
Location: Kansas
Posts: 72

doggy biscuits... give the pup one and than throw one in the dog box. won't take long at all for them to load..

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Salem,Missouri
Posts: 4917

i usually just get mine by the collar and jump them in wether they want to or not. after a time or two they figure out pretty quick their going somewhere to get turned loose and want to get in.

__________________
don't let your bull dog mouth overload your puppy dog @ss!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1076

>i usually just get mine by the collar and jump them in<
Me too. Once they've been hunting a couple of times they just naturally want to load up anyway.

__________________
bruce ordway

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Erin, Tn.
Posts: 21

i took the dog box off and put it next to a tree by the house and tied the dog to it. this was now his house. he was afraid of it when i started this. when it rained he went in it. i would have the kids love on him every chance they got. he started thinking of it as a safe place. now have no problems with him loading. cant keep him from getting in it now. plus when he gets in it now he gets to go hunting.

told the boy that trained him the dog loads now, he didnt believe me cause he had done everything to get him to do it. he about fell over when i showed him.

__________________
if a mans only as good as his tools, why hunt anything but a walker.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged