Slightly Gun shy Spaniel

[ppaynter]

Is it the noise she afraid of or is it the actual gun it's self you said she fine in beating line with the sound of the shots going off she doesn't actually see the guns so I would look if it's the gun when your carrying it worth a try

Im not really sure it could be the gun ill just leave a air rifle out around the house so she gets use to it

 

[jimmy milnes]

Don't fire a starter pistol in ya pocket trust me I know....
I now have one useless pocket on my old dog coat.
Jimmy.

 

[Marrajack1]

My pointer won’t hint when I carry a gun but no issues beating etc Think because I took her stalking first

 

[wboulter]

I would get the gun out indoors put by your side and make a fuss of the dog with it by your side or while holding it

 

[gelert]

Lots of good useful information. I would also get someone to fire a shot (at a comfortable distance for the dog) during feed times, morning and evening if you feed twice. You could fire a shot, then add the food, or start off by letting her eat then fire a shot and not make any fuss about it.

 

[James0586]

Is she afraid of the bang when the gun goes off or just the gun in general?

Does she show avoidance to the gun without a shot?

Does it happen every time or is it a new development?

Is she due in season and just being a bit emotional if it’s a new development?

Does she have an ear infection and the bang causes her more discomfort?

(There may be things going on that your probably not aware of.)

Don’t take to a clay ground as your not in control of the environment or exposure and cannot stop the shooting if she decides to get out of dodge ! Many dogs have been ruined like this.

Throw a ball and clap your hands and do this regularly when out.

Then do the same with the gun but leave the cartridges at home.... repeat repeat repeat.

Once the bitch is comfortable with this use a starter pistol or dummy launcher as described above (at distance and work in) shoot behind your back but make sure there’s nothing behind you first especially the dog or into a game bag.

You must first understand what her fear/discomfort/avoidance is.

Good luck.

 

[ppaynter]

Is she afraid of the bang when the gun goes off or just the gun in general?

Does she show avoidance to the gun without a shot?

Does it happen every time or is it a new development?

Is she due in season and just being a bit emotional if it’s a new development?

Does she have an ear infection and the bang causes her more discomfort?

(There may be things going on that your probably not aware of.)

Don’t take to a clay ground as your not in control of the environment or exposure and cannot stop the shooting if she decides to get out of dodge ! Many dogs have been ruined like this.

Throw a ball and clap your hands and do this regularly when out.

Then do the same with the gun but leave the cartridges at home.... repeat repeat repeat.

Once the bitch is comfortable with this use a starter pistol or dummy launcher as described above (at distance and work in) shoot behind your back but make sure there’s nothing behind you first especially the dog or into a game bag.

You must first understand what her fear/discomfort/avoidance is.

Good luck.

Thanks so much

 

[Brittany boy]

My first rescue vizla was gun shy, I took him out with the .22 RF and let him retrieve the rabbits and feral pigeons and he soon settled down before moving on to the .410 then eventually the 12 bore, I was a member of a shoot at the time and he settled well into the line. The fast swing of the shotgun seemed to be the trigger to his nervousness rather than the sound. I started the GWP the same way stalking and pigeon shooting. When I tried to take the GWP to a pheasant shoot it was all too much for him, all the shots and other dogs running about. I had spent too much time just me and the dog and he walked to heel all day only retrieving if we were out on the flanks. Just take your time it will come right in the end and you’ll have the dog a long time if your lucky.