Don't target shoot around your dog

[Chuckles]

So my father in law just got my niece a .243 for her birthday - in the hopes that she will be able to shoot a deer this fall with it. We took it out of the box, set up a target and started dialing it in. The sight of guns and gunshots both get Mojo all excited so he was right there running and trying to find what we had shot, and returning to our side while we shot again. After about a dozen shots we called it because it was chilly outside. Back inside I noticed he wasn't responding to any of my commands, and with a few tests noticed he had become stone deaf. He didn't react to ANYTHING unless he saw your lips move or whatever.

I did a quick Google search but didn't find much in the way of answers, so I called my vet just to be safe. He said that if he would have been messing with his ears a lot then we should be concerned, but if he was acting normal that he would probably recover in a few days. Thankfully 48 hours later he was back to 95% and by now he is at 100%.

Moral of the story: keep your dog in the kennel or house or truck or whatever if you're target shooting. It can cause permanent hearing damage to them (even though it didn't in this case). I had shot trap with Mojo there in the past, but I won't be doing that again either. Something I had never thought of but wish I would have been told. I hear pistols are the worst, but I'm sure any rifle or shotgun can do damage.

Chuck

 

[FCSpringer]

Sorry about the dog, but glad you posted your demise as sad as it is. I always stress this fact that even with shot guns to be very careful with the dogs and for sure introduction. I have tintanitis in my ears, so it certainly can happen to a dog. I hope your dog recovers from it. Take care

 

[Kismet]

Yup.

Been around a few folks in my life with whom I strongly disagree when they show up at the gun club with their new puppy, so "it will get used to the sound of gunfire."

I understand wanting to show off your new puppy, but when possible, I take them aside and suggest they are taking a huge risk in terrifying their puppy for the rest of its life.

Mostly, it's like talking to a wall.

 

[gundogguy]

Yup.

Been around a few folks in my life with whom I strongly disagree when they show up at the gun club with their new puppy, so "it will get used to the sound of gunfire."

I understand wanting to show off your new puppy, but when possible, I take them aside and suggest they are taking a huge risk in terrifying their puppy for the rest of its life.

Mostly, it's like talking to a wall.

Well put I could not agree more.
Over the years just about all of our field trial dogs and all of my hunting guide dogs lost most hearing if not all.
Dailey exposure to gun fire is very tough them.