I have a blue tick he just turned a year old and I took him with me to check traps for the first time yesterday for those of you that take dogs on your line do you notice their scent messing with anything or does it help mask your scent a bit? Also wondering if he decides to drop a deuce that would mess with things any training tips would also be appreciated he's young and it'll take time but I want him with me and he wants to be out there

I have found that a dog adds a lot to the trapline, not just added catches its just more enjoyable. The" marking" can help find set locations I think it is a plus.

No disrespect intended, just my opinion on trap line dogs, grocery store dogs, farm store dogs, haircut dogs, feed store dogs, I think you get it. Moron goes with me as does my EDC piece. Every and again everywhere I go. If he don't go neither do I. To the trap line I think the positives outweigh any negatives.

Watch what the dog smells. It can be helpful advice.

I always have Annie, my Airedale with me. Very good listener , agrees with me. Knows where all the stops are at. Hates coons with a passion. Coyotes cower to her. Annie is my 4 th Airedale I've had on my trapline. Pulling in to set, I let her go, watch her. We work out a plan, I make sets. I do put her in the truck at trap setting time. She has the whole back seat to herself.

Start them all out as pups. Yes, they all have gotten there foot in a trap, it's a learning experience.

Stanley

There you go, I just tell Moron to go set in his seat he'll watch from there, when I get out the 22 he goes without being told. He is the first of 3 to not be pinched, I think it's because he has seen enough coons, grinners, yotes, fox caught and he knows the trap is not good for him. He hates all critters and will kill all if given the chance. Last vet check 123 lbs. friendly with people if they are.


Edit for clarification, both other dogs did get pinched, Moron is the only one not to. His sire, Barron was, and he helped me teach his offspring. Now days Baron and Ava stay home with wife.
Case.

Dog's scent doesn't mess anything up, adds to it if anything. Let them crap or pee wherever they choose, won't hurt a thing.

Best thing is to have a dog that listens well. I have 2 trapline dogs that go with me. I'll let them jump out as soon as I hit the pasture and they just follow or run ahead a bit. They'll see a coyote in trap and let me know. I don't let my dogs get aggressive with a trapped coyote. They are out the whole time from the point of dispatching to resetting the trap. Yes, they will eventually get pinched at least once but no big deal. Just a learning experience for them on what to avoid. Having dogs on the trapline can increase interest in you baited or lured sets and increase your catch rate.

I'm hoping he'll be a help to me, nice to have the companionship as my kids don't always want to go because there's not always something waiting there when i check traps apparently its not fun without instant gratification. For now I intend to keep him on a leash as he doesn't always want to listen and with him being a blue tick I don't feel like he'll start to mature until around the time he turns 2 next january

Mine goes with all the time.
She isn't to fond of Bobcats.
Sits in my side by side then.

I got the sport dog book and collar highly recommend it---getting a new Airedale in two weeks---Pancho left with a coyote we caught the day he died. Can't not trap-----Can't not have a dog(Airedale)!

Gee whiz where's all the photos?

I've got a blue lacy catahoula cross. Goes with me always. I watched her go up and down a trail with a log and 6" elevation change yesterday. I noticed where her feet fell both ways, set a trap in that exact spot and had a yote in it this morning. Works for me, another one we caught yesterday.

What is the purpose of dogs harassing animals in traps?

I asked that question once. Run !

They aren't for harassing the coyote, they are a great tool in trapping coyote, I've had a dog most days on the line for 25 years

I think dog's help more than they harm.
Here she is keeping one busy .

Thats unethical.The animal should be dispatched immediately or released.
Not sic your dog on it for entertainment.
That is totally against the Trappers code of ethics.

Hey bobo, if you ever had a dog, you would know that they enjoy a little entertainment. If you don’t reward your dog he won’t work for you, to some degree. I don’t let my dog chew or bite the critter, but she gets a lot of exercise running around that yote. Nothing unethical about it at all. Sure you don’t cary a peta card in your billfold?