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Q:
I know that it is deer season, but I have a hunting dog question. I have a very very well behaved 4 yr old chocolate lab that is gun shy. I want him to be able to walk in the woods with me while I hunt squirrels. (i know that this is not the best way to get squirrels, but my dog enjoys the woods as much as I do) He does not run from the gun he simply sits tight and cowers slightly. Any help would be appreciated. Safe Hunting this weekend fellas
Question by stormn. Uploaded on November 20, 2009
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Answers (7)
Sounds like this case isn't mission impossible if the dog isn't flying into a blind panic and taking off, I think you can work it out. One of the other fellas suggested in another thread a technique of gradually introducing loud noises when the dog is eating. Suggested working up to a .22 blank pistol. Lots of rewards and positive reenforcement. DO NOT try fireworks to get the dog climitized to loud noises. Believe it or not, dogs can very much distinguish between fireworks and gunfire. Many good hunting dogs are still driven into a panic with fireworks or thunder. I think the guy posted his suggestions in the Whingshooters section under a thread on training brittany spaniels. I haven't really had this problem with any of the labs I have trained.
Are you using a shot gun or a .22? My half lab shied from everything but CB caps for my .22 and she did retrieve the squirrels I killed over her.
Just got thru the same problem with my black lab. He did not run off but stopped in his tracks and laid down.
I started off by just walking with him and the shotgun in my hand while we played a little fetch. The next time around I had a buddy wait back whenwe were a good 4-500 yds away he fired 1 shot with a 22 while I played with Sam ( lab ) He was shocked I calmed him and we comtinued the shooting/playing. A couple of days later we jumped up to a shotgun.
I went out alone with Sam a few days later and threw his bumper while he went to retrieve I fired 1shot with my shotgun he stopped and came back to me should have used something not as loud (22 blank) but I encouraged him and told him to retreive he did andhis tail started wagging I repeated this a few times with encouragement and food lol
Sam now stays in front works a field real hard I occasionally need to calm and encourage him. The first few times out I took his training dummie and would throw it while we worked the field.
In hindsight I may have introduced the shotgunfaster than I should have and after he got comfortable with 1 single shot I should have introduced 2 or 3 quick shots. The other day he was a little surprised when I fired 3 times at some flushing quail.
He needs to associate the noise with something pleasant.If he retrieves ,use a training dumby and reinforce and praise,have fun!After a few sessions pull out a starters pistol,Keep it on the opposite side of your body from the dog.Pull the trigger ,BUT DO NO REACT TO IT just go on with your training session.Encourage him to retreive,rewared him with praise and the occasional treat.I think the Super-X blanks are the loudest.It is safer to use blanks for training,a dog shouldn't react much differently with a shotgun when the time comes.Anytime you should come unglued at after you pull the trigger, your dog may stress out and the next time you pull the trigger he my act cowardly or shy.So stay in control and happy hunting.
try associating sounds with food. When you soot, give him a treat. Maybe thatll help.
But if that connection is to strong he will be lookimg to you instead of what you shot.Just a thought.
Saw a good one in a training manual. You need an assistant. Place the dog at 50 yards at dinner time and shoot over the food, release the dog. Work up closer until you are shooting o'er the dog. Mebbe start with small calibers and work up also.
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Sounds like this case isn't mission impossible if the dog isn't flying into a blind panic and taking off, I think you can work it out. One of the other fellas suggested in another thread a technique of gradually introducing loud noises when the dog is eating. Suggested working up to a .22 blank pistol. Lots of rewards and positive reenforcement. DO NOT try fireworks to get the dog climitized to loud noises. Believe it or not, dogs can very much distinguish between fireworks and gunfire. Many good hunting dogs are still driven into a panic with fireworks or thunder. I think the guy posted his suggestions in the Whingshooters section under a thread on training brittany spaniels. I haven't really had this problem with any of the labs I have trained.
Are you using a shot gun or a .22? My half lab shied from everything but CB caps for my .22 and she did retrieve the squirrels I killed over her.
Just got thru the same problem with my black lab. He did not run off but stopped in his tracks and laid down.
I started off by just walking with him and the shotgun in my hand while we played a little fetch. The next time around I had a buddy wait back whenwe were a good 4-500 yds away he fired 1 shot with a 22 while I played with Sam ( lab ) He was shocked I calmed him and we comtinued the shooting/playing. A couple of days later we jumped up to a shotgun.
I went out alone with Sam a few days later and threw his bumper while he went to retrieve I fired 1shot with my shotgun he stopped and came back to me should have used something not as loud (22 blank) but I encouraged him and told him to retreive he did andhis tail started wagging I repeated this a few times with encouragement and food lol
Sam now stays in front works a field real hard I occasionally need to calm and encourage him. The first few times out I took his training dummie and would throw it while we worked the field.
In hindsight I may have introduced the shotgunfaster than I should have and after he got comfortable with 1 single shot I should have introduced 2 or 3 quick shots. The other day he was a little surprised when I fired 3 times at some flushing quail.
He needs to associate the noise with something pleasant.If he retrieves ,use a training dumby and reinforce and praise,have fun!After a few sessions pull out a starters pistol,Keep it on the opposite side of your body from the dog.Pull the trigger ,BUT DO NO REACT TO IT just go on with your training session.Encourage him to retreive,rewared him with praise and the occasional treat.I think the Super-X blanks are the loudest.It is safer to use blanks for training,a dog shouldn't react much differently with a shotgun when the time comes.Anytime you should come unglued at after you pull the trigger, your dog may stress out and the next time you pull the trigger he my act cowardly or shy.So stay in control and happy hunting.
But if that connection is to strong he will be lookimg to you instead of what you shot.Just a thought.
try associating sounds with food. When you soot, give him a treat. Maybe thatll help.
Saw a good one in a training manual. You need an assistant. Place the dog at 50 yards at dinner time and shoot over the food, release the dog. Work up closer until you are shooting o'er the dog. Mebbe start with small calibers and work up also.
Post an Answer