We have a large beech wood over limestone just down the road from us.
Just need to work out how to find out if there are truffles there?
Truffle hunting?
- Thread starter Yale
- Start date
We have a large beech wood over limestone just down the road from us.
Just need to work out how to find out if there are truffles there?
Creative Foodie
New Member
I've recently written an article on setting up a truffle farm which may be of interest to some members in this thread.
https://www.appetite.me.uk/blog/setting-up-a-truffle-farm
https://www.appetite.me.uk/blog/setting-up-a-truffle-farm
Hi, I know I'm a few years late... but I just bought over a lovely Lagotto from Italy. He's a clever boy and has been really good at truffle training. The only thing missing is finding a spot with truffles. I know the season is over now and will start again in September. I'm Scared that he will lose interest if he has to wait over a year before finding a real truffle. Does anyone have any tips on how to keep him enticed? I live in London/Kent area, it would be nice if anyone know of a good wood nearby that I can train him in or may have truffles. Thanks and hope someone can help.
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
I know a bit about the theory of training dogs to find truffles but I've never tried it. I was encouraged to try sea urchins when out in the islands and found them quite tasty. As some bright fellow described them, tasting "like iodine and surgical spirit", but in a nice way. But I digress.
So I taught my working cocker spaniel to hunt for sea urchins. She became quite fanatical about it, sometimes putting her head under water to retrieve them. As you will know, sea urchins are spiny, like a hedgehog and the dog would retrieve them to me, with her lips curled up out of the spines!
So I don't think any special breed of dog makes a truffle hound, just one with a keen nose. Nor do I think the dog would 'forget' the scent. You might need to briefly do some re-training, but I can't think it would be a problem. First find your truffle!
So I taught my working cocker spaniel to hunt for sea urchins. She became quite fanatical about it, sometimes putting her head under water to retrieve them. As you will know, sea urchins are spiny, like a hedgehog and the dog would retrieve them to me, with her lips curled up out of the spines!
So I don't think any special breed of dog makes a truffle hound, just one with a keen nose. Nor do I think the dog would 'forget' the scent. You might need to briefly do some re-training, but I can't think it would be a problem. First find your truffle!
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
Yes, I think I may be able to help. I have been training all my life.
An animal behaviourist was once asked which is the most intelligent animal. He replied (correctly in my opinion) that they are all intelligent in what concerns THEM!
You and your dog comprise a pack. Your enthusiasm is contagious and will encourage your dog. Some wise fellow told me many years ago that the best way to get a dog to hunt is to hunt yourself. And when you get a 'find', you need to convey your excitement to the dog -- even if that seems a bit foolish or childish!
The conventional method of training a dog to hunt (say for drugs or explosives) is to substitute a game for the 'kill'. Most usually it is chasing a ball or a 'tug'. This is something the dog desires -- and the best way to make him want it is to incorporate it into a game. Taking actual possession (catching the ball, pulling the 'tug' until is gains possession, etc) is substituted for the killing of prey. I suggest you watch YouTube videos of dogs being trained in this sort of activity or for searching for drugs, money, or cigarettes at customs stops. Each 'find' is immediately followed by the 'reward' which may be chasing a ball or a tug. There is nothing special about hunting for truffles, it is similar in principle to training a German shepherd in man work or any type of search work.
Keep these games short, keep the 'rewards' (play, catching, etc) high. Stop before the dog gets bored. If you dog gets bored at 10 seconds, keep the training session to 9 seconds and only one or two sessions a day. Keep the dog kennelled if he isn't keen or lacks concentration, except for these training sessions, so he gets bored and training becomes the most exciting event in his day. If he becomes diverted, put him on the lead or back in the kennel for 10 minutes. Training a whippet to race to catch a rag, a falcon to return to the lure, police dog to catch a criminal, etc. are all basically the same. Once you understand the principles, training is not difficult. Hope that helps.
An animal behaviourist was once asked which is the most intelligent animal. He replied (correctly in my opinion) that they are all intelligent in what concerns THEM!
You and your dog comprise a pack. Your enthusiasm is contagious and will encourage your dog. Some wise fellow told me many years ago that the best way to get a dog to hunt is to hunt yourself. And when you get a 'find', you need to convey your excitement to the dog -- even if that seems a bit foolish or childish!
The conventional method of training a dog to hunt (say for drugs or explosives) is to substitute a game for the 'kill'. Most usually it is chasing a ball or a 'tug'. This is something the dog desires -- and the best way to make him want it is to incorporate it into a game. Taking actual possession (catching the ball, pulling the 'tug' until is gains possession, etc) is substituted for the killing of prey. I suggest you watch YouTube videos of dogs being trained in this sort of activity or for searching for drugs, money, or cigarettes at customs stops. Each 'find' is immediately followed by the 'reward' which may be chasing a ball or a tug. There is nothing special about hunting for truffles, it is similar in principle to training a German shepherd in man work or any type of search work.
Keep these games short, keep the 'rewards' (play, catching, etc) high. Stop before the dog gets bored. If you dog gets bored at 10 seconds, keep the training session to 9 seconds and only one or two sessions a day. Keep the dog kennelled if he isn't keen or lacks concentration, except for these training sessions, so he gets bored and training becomes the most exciting event in his day. If he becomes diverted, put him on the lead or back in the kennel for 10 minutes. Training a whippet to race to catch a rag, a falcon to return to the lure, police dog to catch a criminal, etc. are all basically the same. Once you understand the principles, training is not difficult. Hope that helps.
Hi, did you manage to find any truffles in bucks. I am so looking for somewhere local.