The Westsiberian Laika, Eastsiberian Laika and Russian-European laika are versatile huntingdogs for many types of game from woodbird and squirrel to wild boar, elk and bear. If his owner give him the change to run free in the woods every Laikapuppy start naturally chasing and treeing small game by the age of ca. 4 months. He will learn from his own misstakes and become better and better in it.
You don't have to learn them, this huntinginstinct has every laika and they enjoy it. During this time the puppy should become accustomed to  shooting.
Laiki do not bark during the search and chase, but they start barking when the game is found and treed. The dog will stay barking under the tree, at enough distance from the tree trunk so he can see the animal. When the animal is moving from tree to tree a Laika must follow from tree to tree as well, keeping his concentration to the animal while barking.

The behaviour of a Laika is specific to the type of game they found. Usually a hunter can tell of the dogs style of barking what his dog has found.
Majority of the Westsiberian-, Eastsiberian- and Russian-European Laika are also excellent big game dogs.
 A good elkhunting Laika finds and follow fresh elktracks in silence. When he had found the elk he approaches it by making a curve, so the elk don't become frightened. If the elk is not running away the dog starts barking and can continue for hours until the hunter comes and shoot the elk.                                                                                                                                                                                           

A good bearhunting Laika must display a strong excitement when they sniff fresh beartracks and start chase fast and silence.
When the bear is found the dog must attack immediately barking loud and aggresive. The dog should keep the bear from running by attacking it on the flanks and from behind biting hard at every opportunity, circling and avoiding being caught by the bear. The ability of fast switching from attacking and avoiding being caught by the bear is a unique Laika trait.  Usually a pair of Laiki, raised and used to hunting together, makes a good bearhunting team.
A good wildboar hunting Laika must pick up fresh wildboar's track and chase silent and fast. When the wildboar is found, the dog must attack it  immediately. They prevent the wildboar from running away by biting hard from behind and on the flanks, barking loud and aggresive. The dogs must be cautious to avoid to be cut by the wild-boar. Usually 2 or 3 Laiki, raised and used to hunting together, will be used for the wildboar hunting.
An important condition for successful hunting is a strong personal attachment between the hunter and his dog and  elementary obedience.

 

Literature:
Hunting Laika Breeds of Russia by Vladimir Beregovoy

*For pictures of hunting Laiki visit the hunting-gallery.