when to intro to a pistol

Birdman, Yes, it has been used on several breeds of dogs. They all came out fine for you never shoot next the dogs. I started this method over 50 years ago on my first GSP. So far this year a GSP and my Gunne both got broke using it. My trainer when we were breaking Gunne to birds. He said I did a fine job of breaking him to gun. He then released a pigeon which Gunne pointed and he shot it with a 12 gauge. Gunne made the retrieve and never flinched...........Bob
 
Birdman I used Bob's approach I am a true rookie at the entire training thing, however this past weekend I took my dog out to a preserve hunted him and shot my 12 Ga over him had no problems, started off with a blank pistol while he was chasing birds in the fields at about 4 months he is now just under a year and well I guess I did it right. The only reason I did it as early as I did was because I had no clue as to when to do anything so I did it when I felt he was ready.
 
I think it does depend on indivdiual dog... we met a brittany on the walk tonight.. we were talking about hunting and the owner of the brit said his dog got gun shy. I asked how did that happen, he said i started trying to train her at 3 months old... she got scared at every .22 snap that went off. his brit is now 10 years old and still afraid. he had to walk his dog in a city park now bc when he goes to the state park to walk his brit, he can, but not during hunting season when the hunters are on the west side of the park in Pierre... you can hear gun shots here and there and he said he cant even get his brit to come out of the truck to walk...


im gonna intro my dog to birds.. if she shows alot of willing, i will pop one off when she finds one and see what she does. I saw two pheasants pop off on our walk and boy she took a turn and tugged me wanting to run after the bird which is a good sign.
 
"Gun shy dogs are made by trainers, not born with it". I don't know who said that but it is true. That female you are speaking of Birdman, is the product of a trainer screwing up someplace along the line. Not her fault. If you know how to do it and do it right it can be done at any age. I feel by holding off to over 6 months you lose a lot of training time...........Bob
 
A big factor in dogs, not all but many in becoming gun shy, is bad thunderstorms. A litter raised and left in a kennel to fear the thudering blasts of thunder and lightning, from birth on. Stand a much greater chance of being gun shy. The dog associates any loud noise with the fear they experienced as a very young pup. I have seen a ton of dogs wrecked over the years from people not willing to let the bitch whelp in a building/house. None of our pups will ever be raised in this kind of environment.

When to start training with a gun? totally depends on the dog. You should know when the dog/pup has total trust in you and nothing seems to bother him/her. I always start by someone just squeezing off a shot with a 22 short/CB from a fair distance away..like 60 to 100 yards away. see if the dog even notices it or that it bothers them in anyway.

Onpoint
 
I am a new trainer, but I started with a $5 cap gun from 10 feet away, so if you are trying to start now, you could do something like that to get a feel for his reaction, then move up to a .22

Chuck
 
I always start with a .22 blank pistol at about 20 yards. Then when the dog keeps running after the shot. I know I have it made. Chuck you are right dogs are very susceptible to storms. I once had a female even in the house she would hide under the bed when a storm hit. Funny part is she was never outside in one. But she was not gun shy either..........Bob
 
onpoint said:
A big factor in dogs, not all but many in becoming gun shy, is bad thunderstorms. A litter raised and left in a kennel to fear the thudering blasts of thunder and lightning, from birth on.
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Chuckles said:
I am a new trainer, but I started with a $5 cap gun from 10 feet away, so if you are trying to start now, you could do something like that to get a feel for his reaction, then move up to a .22

Chuck
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bobeyerite said:
Chuck you are right dogs are very susceptible to storms.
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I dont think Chuck mentioned anything about a storm vs Pups, On point did.


well im letting my pup be a pup.. shes learning her obenience right now.. still housebreaking her... but doing 80% and improving without bad accidents. next ive gotten her started on whoa... which is a critical training i prefered done. shes showing high interest in pheasants, 4-6 months of age, i will intro the gun.
 
I know Onpoint his name is Chuck, like mine is Bob. I call a lot of people on the forum by their name. That is if I know them well enough and they don't mind. Birdman, if you are going to be that technical, onpoint is 1 word not 2.......Bob
 
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onpoint said:
When to start training with a gun? totally depends on the dog. You should know when the dog/pup has total trust in you and nothing seems to bother him/her.
Onpoint
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This is basically how I've handled my 2 dogs. My 2 yr old probably wasn't introduced until about 6 months. My 9 month was about 12 wks. I started both with a 209 pistol at a distance to gauge their reaction. I didn't feel I was rushing either of them.
 
I am a fan of the early and often strategy. Bob Wehele in his orginal book, shot over litters of pups on the feed bowl with blanks, starting at great distance and working closer, till a shot meant nothing but good things, food. As to storms I have had dogs at three years old, after having been shot over and reliable with the gun, become suddenly and irrationally afraid of thunder storms, and stay that way ever after. Have no idea what the trigger is that causes it but it sure does happen.
 
Yep like I said 10 folks 10 answers. :DThe main reason I do it the way I do is it is a specific program they will all go through. I am doing other things when most hunters are shooting cap guns. Thats it. I do admidtt it is many times different ages yes, They all are different, and its up to them how they progress and when they are through the program.
 
I always start off with the hand claps then progress from there with banging on a bowl or wood and then a cap gun or 22 then 20 guage and finally 12 guage first 2 are done at feeding but as soon as they graduate to actuall gun then out come the pigeons and quail
 
Gove County Britts said:
I always start off with the hand claps then progress from there with banging on a bowl or wood and then a cap gun or 22 then 20 guage and finally 12 guage first 2 are done at feeding but as soon as they graduate to actuall gun then out come the pigeons and quail
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Hand clapping as hard as i can is what ive been doing.. espeically when shes busy chewing on a bone.. all she does is chew and look up at me and back to her bone.
 
bobeyerite said:
Birdman, Yes, it has been used on several breeds of dogs. They all came out fine for you never shoot next the dogs. I started this method over 50 years ago on my first GSP. So far this year a GSP and my Gunne both got broke using it. My trainer when we were breaking Gunne to birds. He said I did a fine job of breaking him to gun. He then released a pigeon which Gunne pointed and he shot it with a 12 gauge. Gunne made the retrieve and never flinched...........Bob
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I agree- as a kid dad gave me a Golden Retriever pup, I've had pups- Goldens, Irish Setters, English Setters, English Pointers, Brittany's- everyone has hunted to old age- saw no difference in any single pup- but I listened and still do hear- dads words- read the pup and adjust- pup will let you know-
never had a pup at 2 months of age that wasn't excited about a gun or one going off- never not hunted a youngster- think most read way to much into what is said about young dogs

oh- my two pups were hunting pheasants last year- 4 months old- and I heard on many forums- "no way" you'll ruin them- this is going to be their year- care to judge and give an opinion on me making a mistake- they're not too bad- but opening could be quite exciting
 
Shadow I agree they should be in the field this year. Gunne and the GSP are both going to be hunting pheasant shortly after the opener. My trainer said seeing they are broke to birds and gun why not. Gunne will be 9 months and the GSP 6 months.......Bob
 
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