Gun shyness remider

mstand

mstand

Member
I am sure there atleast a handful of people out there that have gotten new hunting partners over the spring and summer months. I know the excitement it brings and the work it takes to get that dog ready for its first trip out into the field or in the duck blind or boat.

Gun shyness in dogs is very very hard to cure so we should be very careful how we expose the young dog to its first gunfire. A common thing I hear is that a fellow has worked all spring and summer long with his pup and gun fire. The dog is fine with the gun. But the same guy or gal will take the pup in to the blind for its first hunt with 6 other people and wonder why the same dog that had no issues with guns earlier in the year, is now cowering in the corner.
Big difference in 1 gun and 6 going off at the same time. Best to keep the blind count down for the first year then to create a potential problem that is hard to fix.Better even is to put your gun down for the season in order to teach good manners and calmness in the blind/boat.

Same is the field, although the noise will be less and people are more spread out.

Take the time this year with your new pup to hunt by yourself or with a trusted friend that will follow YOUR rules over your dog.

Happy hunting and training! Wink
 
A great and thoughtful post. We should make this a reminder every year. I have taken dogs which were " hurried" to the dance. It is an a man made problem, and a lot of troube and trama for the dog. For a pup, a little is a lot. Have a good experience and take him home on the front seat, treat him royally. In a year from now, he can take the good with the confusion in the field. He knows his job, and will do it anyway.
 
A good reminder for everybody. The proper introduction to the gun is right up there in importance with yard training and introduction to birds in a young bird dogs life.

Gunshyness is a man-made problem that is easy to prevent and very hard or impossible to cure.

And, what ever you do, DO NOT TAKE THE PUP TO THE TRAP/SKEET RANGE TO SEE IF IT IS GUNSHY !!!

nb
 
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Natty Bumpo said:
And, what ever you do, DO NOT TAKE THE PUP TO THE TRAP/SKEET RANGE TO SEE IF IT IS GUNSHY !!!

nb
Click to expand...

If i had a dime for every time I've heard someone talk about doing this I'd be set for life.

Gun intro should be done around birds. Done correctly, it's the safest and easiest way to accomplish it.
 
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Good stuff!!
 
Gun shy

Ya, it might be the one thing I did right with my spaniel. Started young clapping 2x4s when we were outside and eating, graduated to pellet gun, then to 410, 20 gauge, and finally to 12 gauge. She's oblivious now and gets excited when I get the gun out. Really was slow about it, though.
 
I start working on gun adjustment from the first day they come home..the cap gun is out and loaded and as soon as they go to eat I start firing..every time we are outside playing with pheasant wings I am firing, it starts there and you build off that IMO.
 
This is a good reminder. My new boys will be hunting only with me for the first part of the season.
 
The gun should always be tied into birds. A kids cap gun is not a bad way to start. Has to be associated with birds.
 
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