I have a 4 yr.old lab that was frightened back when he was 1 because he and I got seperated while hunting. At that time he was not introduced to birds, guns or the fields. Some one found him and tied him to my bumper and he was shell shocked. He was never the same. I've shot 500 rds. of blanks over him, play fetched w/ dead quail and pheasant, he retreives to the whistle, swims and fetches like a bandit. I've have shot planted birds over him at this age 4, just recently to see what would happen and the he returned 3 or the 4 right to me. We lost the 4th. Now here is the dilemma, he won't leave my side. He may range when interested but is right back within seconds. It seems that when he realizes i'm not there he runs back for reassurance. How do I correct this so he's back to the way he was when he was 1, rangeing, quaartering and casting? Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Dave
Thank you,
Dave