Gun Shy Dog

cowboy02 · June 17, 2003

Does anyone have any techniques they use for training ther dogs not to be afraid of guns? My new dog that I got about 3 months ago is gun shy.

Everytime I get the gun out she runs away, this makes for a bad hunting partner. I've been working with her on her retrieving and she is doing great however that is all fine and dandy but the gun thing is a bummer.

Maybe just shoot more with her????

Frank S · June 17, 2003

About the only way I know of is to take her out,tie her to the bumper and put some rounds through a gun,taking a break every now and then to walk over and pay some attention to her.

I didn't think I was going to have this problem with my female Lab but she is deathly afraid of my AR 15 when I just pull it out and runs away if I clear the chamber.I'll be taking her up to my parents place before long and getting her used to the firing.

pacodiablo · June 17, 2003

How old is she? Often times it is good to start young...the younger you condition an animal, the quicker it will learn that something isn't/is harmful or good/bad. If she is over a year, I don't know what to do.

paul k · June 18, 2003

You need to get the dog to associate loud bangs with a reward.

Keep the gun visible when you feed the dog.

Make a loud clap with your hands just prior to feeding her.

After a week or two, use a small cap gun immediately prior to feeding.

Use the above also when retrieving.

Gradually work your way to shotgun blasts.

It is important to reward the dog every time. With food and affection.

This should help.

MarkD · June 18, 2003

The method listed by paul k worked for us.

cowboy02 · June 18, 2003

To answer some questions...........

She is 3 years old and we rescued her from a animal shelter, so hard to tell if she's had bad experiences with them.

If I pull out my .45 she runs away also, so I started practicing dry firing it in the house with her around and this seems to help. Took her out last night and fired about 15 rounds thru the .45 and she is getting better with it. She is still scared with the shotgun. I will have to try the feeding thing and see if that works.

I'm also going to take her out and shoot a round of sporting clays with her and my other dog, maybe after 100 rounds she will calm down

Thanks for the advice anyother tricks?

Grizzz · July 28, 2003

Cowboy. I used to train Labs and PaulK's suggestions are best. At 3 year old it is going to take some time, but you need to tie a reward to the sound. One of the better suggestions is get a small cap gun and fire it each time you feed her. This is how I would start pups off. Also start using the cap gun while out doing her retrieving. Good luck.