Quick Answer
Encourage a dog to bark when treeing by teaching its bay, gradually increasing the duration and intensity of the bark. Reward the dog for barking, then gradually phase out the treats. Use a consistent recall command to prevent the dog from getting too far from you.
Establishing the Bay
To develop a dog’s treeing instinct, start by teaching its bay. Begin by having your dog sit or stand near a tree, and then call out a target animal (raccoon or bear sound). Reward the dog with treats and praise when it barks. Gradually increase the duration of the bark by repeating the animal call for 5-10 seconds at a time, then rewarding the dog. Repeat this process several times a day to build up the dog’s barking endurance.
Bay Intensity and Recall
Once your dog is barking consistently, focus on increasing its intensity. This can be done by adding more animals calls or by using a higher-pitched tone. To prevent the dog from getting too far from you, establish a consistent recall command, such as “down” or “hold.” Reward the dog with treats and praise when it responds to the recall command, and gradually phase out the treats as the dog becomes more reliable.
In-Field Training
When in the field, encourage the dog to bark by using the recall command and rewarding the dog for barking. As the dog becomes more reliable, gradually increase the distance between you and the dog. Always keep a safe distance from the target animal, and be prepared to call off the dog if it gets too close. By following these steps, you can develop a dog that will enthusiastically bark when it trees a raccoon or bear.
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