Gun Dog Forum

I know i have started many topics on this, but i am getting mixed signals because everyone has their opinion.
Should i keep shooting around banks every day a few times even if he is a little uncomfertable? Or wait a month or two and re introduce the gun with a bird at a longer distance? Or wait another month and introduce the gun without a bird?
Thanks
Isaac and Banks

I did mine at feeding time far away and watched for any flinching. Only 3 or 4 shots with cap gun. As she was more relaxed at feeding I moved closer. This took months. I know this sounds off the wall but I would start my Tiller and put in away from house 100 yards fast idle. Every day we would walk closer and closer until we were playing 5ft from it with treats. Good luck. I think the trick is noise, noise and more noise,

I would give it a break for a while and then start with the dog at least 50 yards away and busy. And once a day for a while when you do start.

Ezzy

Any kind of nervousness and you back off in distance and gun . I sent you a plan. You can use it or discard it.

Big bloc wrote:I did mine at feeding time far away and watched for any flinching. Only 3 or 4 shots with cap gun. As she was more relaxed at feeding I moved closer. This took months. I know this sounds off the wall but I would start my Tiller and put in away from house 100 yards fast idle. Every day we would walk closer and closer until we were playing 5ft from it with treats. Good luck. I think the trick is noise, noise and more noise,

x2

Log splitters and chainsaws no longer bother Bow.

Grant

Double Shot Banks wrote:I know i have started many topics on this, but i am getting mixed signals because everyone has their opinion.
Should i keep shooting around banks every day a few times even if he is a little uncomfertable?
Or wait a month or two and re introduce the gun with a bird at a longer distance? Or wait another month and introduce the gun without a bird?
Thanks
Isaac and Banks

You seem to be in a hurry. Don't be! And if the dog is uncomfortable with gunshots, and you do it every day, all you are doing is reinforcing a negative message! You're scaring the dog over and over. I like the idea of giving the dog some quiet time, then introducing other noises with maybe a gunshot at a distance. Then, reintroducing gunfire, at a distance, and always with birds. You want your dog to make a positive association. That gunfire means birds!

buckeyebowman wrote:

Double Shot Banks wrote:I know i have started many topics on this, but i am getting mixed signals because everyone has their opinion.
Should i keep shooting around banks every day a few times even if he is a little uncomfertable?
Or wait a month or two and re introduce the gun with a bird at a longer distance? Or wait another month and introduce the gun without a bird?
Thanks
Isaac and Banks

You seem to be in a hurry. Don't be! And if the dog is uncomfortable with gunshots, and you do it every day, all you are doing is reinforcing a negative message! You're scaring the dog over and over. I like the idea of giving the dog some quiet time, then introducing other noises with maybe a gunshot at a distance. Then, reintroducing gunfire, at a distance, and always with birds. You want your dog to make a positive association. That gunfire means birds!

+100

Double Shot Banks wrote:I know i have started many topics on this, but i am getting mixed signals because everyone has their opinion.
Should i keep shooting around banks every day a few times even if he is a little uncomfertable? Or wait a month or two and re introduce the gun with a bird at a longer distance? Or wait another month and introduce the gun without a bird?
Thanks
Isaac and Banks

If he is uncomfortable at all, I would agree with ezzy and give it a break. One of the quickest ways to ruin a dog in my opinion. Gun intro can be done alone, but it is ideal if you have a someone help you to allow you to get some distance between the dog and the gun. Dokken has a pretty good method if your looking for a video. It is in his retriever puppy training DVD.

You've already got him on the verge of gunshy, why are you in such a rush to finish up the job? Leave it alone for a while. You have all summer to mess with it. All kinds of knowledgable people have taken their time to give you good advice, and most of it is counter to what you've done and what you plan. Listen to them!

Spend more time with the dog (without gunfire for now) and less asking questions.