Gun shy dog

[NDboys]

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to break a dog from being gun shy and all other loud noises.

[Jason Mears]

My suggestion would be to do what you would do when you first introduce a dog to gun fire. Have some fire a 22 blank pistol at a distance and see how she reacts. After a few sessions, gradually move up to a larger gun if she is ok with the 22 at a distance then slowly move closer. You could even go to a local sportsmans club on trap night and keep her at a distance while people are shooting trap just to get her comfortable with the sound again.

[kontekontos]

I don't know what you have already tried and i am by no means an expert on dog handling. But my lab acted like he wanted to be a little shy of the gun. So had someone stand about 100yrds off and fire a shot and then i would heel my dog in about 10 yards and have them fire another shot and continued this until i got up to the person. If i saw that the dog got a little nervous as you got closer i might not bring the dog in all the way the first time you did it,but work your way in that way.

Thats what i did and the gun doesn't seem to bother him anymore.

konte

[Stephen Schwartz]

Thats some great advice fellas!! I do the sme with mine when gun breaking them. I dont know that I've ever had trouble with it in the past, just kinda worked it into my training program.......
But i am helping a younger guy out with his 'gunshy' dog, and since his dog is solid in picking up longer marks, we are just incorporating a gun into the scene now. Doing just what these guys are saying. Throw a mark or two at a good distance, let the dog pick them up, then shoot a popper or blank, and throw the mark. At a long distance it should just get the dogs attention-if anything-and dont worry if it distracts a little on the first mark or two.
Slowly continue this, until he is makring solid,and totally comfortable with the gun, and move him up closer as the week progresses.
There's no one way to do this, but this is how i am dealing with it right now, so it may work for you. Hope this helps.

Good luck!!

[kontekontos]

Yea i had to get my dog out of his gun shyness. He marks to good not to be a hunter. I tell you once we settled him down by doning what i said above,he is becoming all business out their in training now.

Hope all works well with the dogs fellas.

konte