Not sure how old your pup is. But I always train my pups with the following method
Get your hands onto some pigs ears. Even if you carn't get out yourself ask other people in your town to bring some back.
Before letting your pup out drag a ear along the ground and leave a small amount of food at the end of the trail as a reward. Start with small find and make it longer as he gets better.
After the small feed then play tug a war with the ear on the rope, Pups love it.
Your pup will soon relate the smell of the pig ear to the real thing.
Walking is the best method of teaching dogs to smell and learn the sent of different animals. Don't let them get to far away from you so you can call them back if they take off on a wrong sent.
Don't train a pup with other pups, its a recipe for disaster.
Finding of the ute comes with the dogs confidence of finding of the ground. Being beside a good lead dog helps.
Best of luck
Pressy