How many of you have dogs as trapline companions? I have a 6 month old Wirehair Griffon that I will be bird hunting with and allowing to come along on the trapline. How have you guys introduced you dogs to traps and how to avoid them?

I got a pair , of trouble makers

I do

The here are several ways to introduce a dog to traps the easiest is to make some mock sets complete with trap that has been wired open then place some mouse traps where the dog will get snapped if he goes to the set

Some dogs will continue even after getting snapped several times then it’s time for more drastic and harsher measures such as a weak 0 or 1, and or a shock collar

Some will never learn but most do and some become regular wizards at knowing where sets are not just yours but others as well

You can also train them to alert you when they smell a trap such as by sitting down or other indicator, my old hound would set and whine when he got near a trap

I let mine free until we get close to a set then I put him on the leash. He took off after a rabbit once and got hung up in a coyote snare. Never made that mistake again.

Every dog is different but the key to absolute obedience. With this things will be easier for both of you. Pay attention to your dog around your sets. You might learn a thing or two, both good and bad. This is the second year on the line for my pup and although things are far from perfect, we are making headway. He's been caught 4-5 times in an MB 550 and is beginning to figure out why. About the only other thing I can suggest is to spend as much time with your pup on the line. Both of you will make mistakes and eventually you'll figure it out. Good luck!

I do.
Little feist. Faster than crap, loves to tree coons. Great little dog to tag along. He will go all day long, lots of energy.
I keep him on a lead and he's pretty manageable at sets whether making or remaking sets. Loves it when we have a coyote too. He gets all defensive and thinks he's trying to protect me or something. I have to watch him closely he loves to find coyote scat but then tries to eat it and that's the last thing he should be doing, God knows what all lives in thst stuff. Same with blood. Keep your heartworm and other parasite meds always updated same with shots too. They will be exposed to some things on the coyote and coon line.

Sweet looking dog !
My suggestion for training your dog is get the " Monk's Of New Skeet " dog training video's I know it sounds silly but they raise German shepherd dogs and have a 2+ year waiting list for their pups .
So they have some great idea's on dog training ! One of the most important things to do is training your dog to not fight a lead if and when it gets caught in a snare which is very similar in some ways.
I generally kept my dog close to me but things can happen in a hurry when you least expect it.
Allan

The lil one sure is tuff , gotta love the true grit of a terrior.

It will be a challenge for sure! Every time I turn around he has wondered off somewhere. I will definitely keep on a lead for the first year and try to expose him to a wired trap sometime this season. Thanks for the comments.

Each of my dogs Lab and little 10 lb lap dog, each got caught in a soft catch,..
seemed to have learned fromn that

This is the second year on the line with my pup and overall hasn't done too bad. Most things he picks up on quickly but other things take several lessons. Today was one of those days. We had spent most of the day making sets and he would check out the area while I made my sets. If he was done before I was, he usually comes over by me and sits or lays down until I am done. I had made one set and had just started on a second when it happened. One sharp yip and I knew what had happened. He knows better but just loves my home made coyote bait and will sneak in a lick or two whenever he can. This time he stepped squarely in the wrong place and met the wrath of a brand new MB650. I was there and let him out in just a few seconds but it was a good reminder of what he can and can't do on the line. He's been caught in a few MB550's and didn't like it, this MB650 must have really set him back as now when I pick up a trap he shy's away knowing exactly what it is! He's fine now and back to himself again but I hope he has learned this lesson for good this time!

My girls in action