Hey there, i'm looking for some advise. I have a 14 month old female chesapeake that i am training for hunting but the problem is that she is a very soft dog and is terrified of the noise of a gunshot. She buckles right to the ground and somtimes runs away even when I'm @ a distance from her(200 yards)Although she isn't frightened of any other loud noises, just the sound of a gun. I've tried all the tricks that i have read about but nothing seems to be working. I don't know what to do for the best. If anyone has any idea's, I'll be glad to try them.

Try shooting the gun at a distance when she is doing something she loves. Like eating.

She is not associating the gun with anything fun yet.


I remember when I was a kid my dad would bang 2x4's over the dogs head while they were eating.

Does she have aot of drive and live to retrieve?

Thx for the return. Yes, she has alot of drive for retrieving and she will never stop until she hears the sound of a gun. I do the 2x4 thing and she doesn't have any problem with it. I've tried pots and pans and she still has no concern. I just started shooting @ a distance while she is eating and it seems like she's getting better with the sound but still seems quite nervous. I'll keep this up and hopefully things will work out. Thx Paulie

quote:

Originally posted by jtowne:



I remember when I was a kid my dad would bang 2x4's over the dogs head

jeeze - you'd think the dog wouldn't want to eat! I know it would be a great 'diet' for me..having someone bang 2x4's over my head -


just joshin'!!!!!

Paulie - what type of gun are you using?

go get a child's cap gun - the kind that uses little 'poppers' to make noise....have someone use this at a distance of 100 yds while you feed your dog treats...she should have her attention completely on you..when she shows absolutely NO concern (doesn't pay attention to the noise) then have the 'shooter' come forward 10 yds...repeat....continue to repeat until the person can fire the gun within 5 yrds....at this point you should give a treat after every shot...do this over a period of several days...do not move forward unless your dog is very happy!
Then repeat this whole process with a .209 primer pistol...start at 100 yds...work up...give treats every time a shot is fired...keep her attention on the treats...if she shows any fear or uncertainty, you are moving the gunner too fast.....

Eventually go from treats to retrieves....once again starting at a great distance, and using the cap gun....decrease the distance until the cap gun is shot by you, while you hand throw a bird...then repeat the process with the .209, and finally field trial blanks....

THis will take many days....2 months at least...very possibly more...but you have to be willing to do it at least 4 times a week and work at your dog's pace..don't push her.....

gunshyness is quite curable....it just takes time.

Juli

Thx for the advice. I've been doing what u talked about and everything is going fine. Over the past week i've noticed alot of changes. She is very well adapting to the bang noises. I don't think that it will take her much time to get through this however I will be patient.

YHX PAULIE