I took my 5 month old chessie out to introduce the gun this weekend. I started well away from the shots and moved closer as time went on but, he was really freaked out. I should mention he is VERY soft as well. I have taking him several times to our usual training grounds with the starter pistol being careful to only discharge when he is well down range. He will tolerate the sound but, even when the gun is put away he won't retrieve to hand and acts afraid of me or the general area. I am getting worried that he will not break from being gun shy and I don't have time to crate him at the shooting range every other night. Should I just lay off for a spell? Suggestions please???

I would go back and re-start your introduction from the start and try and attach it to something like feeding time. What I do with young pups is feed in thier outdoor kennl and go off about 100yds and fire the pistol while they are eating...go further if you have to so he is comfortable.

Your are right on in saying you need to fix this now....this can lead to alot of seriuous problems down the road....remember your pup is just a pup yet and is only 20 weeks old. I would work this out slowly and before anything else.

p.s. I also plant pigeons in a field once they are showing they are more comfortable with the gunshot and they can relate it to having fun and finding birds.

Hope this helps!

Paul MacKinnon

Could you give me a quick run down of what you do from start to finish when planting birds for your pups?

Sure.....but remember your pup must being getting real comfortable with gunshots at this point.

I pick a field with very short cover...just enough to hide a pigeon. I will take 5-7 birds...dizzy them and plant them...I use orange surveyors tape to mark where they are...then I will make sure the pup is working into the wind and go have some fun...no pressure just fun......I fire the gun randomly or before and after he picks up the bird....they need to get used to the sound of gunshots and once they associate with birds, food or whatever you should see a big difference!


Please make sure your dog is doing well around gunshots before proceeding to the stage.

You can also have someone throw live flyers for you and fire the gun at this point...jsut make it fun and they will always relate gunshots to birds and fun.Hope this helps!

Paul MackInnon

Thanks Paul,
I was just thinking of introducing birds without the gun. Problem is that when I was a kid I could just go pop a few pigeons at the Grain elevator but, now I have no idea where to get them.

I get all my pigeons at night with a flashlight and a dip net in the thre parking garages in my city.....also try your local pest control company.