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Started By
Message
Gun Shy Lab
Posted on 8/5/10 at 9:29 pm
Posted on 8/5/10 at 9:29 pm
This is seriously such a great addition to TD!
So here's my issue. I've trained labs before.......and usually had conducive environments to do so for waterfowl. I'm not an expert but I get the time it takes......So now I'm here in AZ. It's hot as shite and I live in Phoenix so firing off the guns in a nearby field usually doesn't go over well. So dove season rolls around last season and I take my royal pedigree 1 year old lab out for the first day of dove season. He'd had some training but not to the normal extent. I'd brought him to the firing range before and he didn't seem to mind the gun shots......of other people. So first dove flies over and I knew I had to make it count.......drilled the bird and dropped it. He sees it.......runs to it......and brings it back! Booya! It's a success and I think he's hooked........not the case. I spent the rest of the morning pulling him out of bushes........he became scared as can be.....of the gun and the sound........So now......when he sees the gun.....he bolts under the car or for anything. I know I can lay the gun by his bowl or try methods like this but has anyone ever dealt with such a situation successfully? My female seems fine with it so she may be the go to dog........Sorry for such a long post but it is a long story.
So here's my issue. I've trained labs before.......and usually had conducive environments to do so for waterfowl. I'm not an expert but I get the time it takes......So now I'm here in AZ. It's hot as shite and I live in Phoenix so firing off the guns in a nearby field usually doesn't go over well. So dove season rolls around last season and I take my royal pedigree 1 year old lab out for the first day of dove season. He'd had some training but not to the normal extent. I'd brought him to the firing range before and he didn't seem to mind the gun shots......of other people. So first dove flies over and I knew I had to make it count.......drilled the bird and dropped it. He sees it.......runs to it......and brings it back! Booya! It's a success and I think he's hooked........not the case. I spent the rest of the morning pulling him out of bushes........he became scared as can be.....of the gun and the sound........So now......when he sees the gun.....he bolts under the car or for anything. I know I can lay the gun by his bowl or try methods like this but has anyone ever dealt with such a situation successfully? My female seems fine with it so she may be the go to dog........Sorry for such a long post but it is a long story.
4
Posted on 8/5/10 at 9:31 pm to LivininAZbutLoveLSU
we had to tie the lab to the truck once and shoot skeet for a while.. sounds horrible but it works
This post was edited on 8/5/10 at 9:32 pm
Posted on 8/5/10 at 9:34 pm to mylsuhat
What LSU hat said. Tie him and shoot. Get a little way away so you're not right on top of him and shoot. Completely ignore him.
I have never tried it, but I heard it works. I have gun shy feist that I need to do this to.
I have never tried it, but I heard it works. I have gun shy feist that I need to do this to.
Posted on 8/5/10 at 9:37 pm to INFIDEL
It took me about 3 boxes of poppers to get my female lab straitened out. He'll come around with patience.
Posted on 8/5/10 at 9:38 pm to INFIDEL
But he tries to climb under the car........I guess I can use a short leash for this. So this won't make him more mental?
Posted on 8/5/10 at 9:40 pm to VernonPLSUfan
What are poppers? Meaning the firework poppers?
Posted on 8/5/10 at 9:43 pm to LivininAZbutLoveLSU
Poppers are shotgun shells w/ either only a primer or only primer and powder
primers are pretty quiet but great for training
primers are pretty quiet but great for training
Posted on 8/5/10 at 9:46 pm to mylsuhat
Louder than a regular shell. Only can be used in pumps or side by sides/over and under or single shot.
Posted on 8/5/10 at 9:47 pm to LivininAZbutLoveLSU
Start with one of those "pop" guns from wal mart with the red inserts for caps. Should have actually BEEN doing that but not too late. Shoot a bunch while you're just walking around the yard at a distance, not paying attention to him.
If you must, have someone watch from a window- DO NOT look at him.
Then shoot that cap gun over him while you throw a dummy. Then use a shotgun and do the same- throwing the dummy.
If you must, have someone watch from a window- DO NOT look at him.
Then shoot that cap gun over him while you throw a dummy. Then use a shotgun and do the same- throwing the dummy.
Posted on 8/5/10 at 9:49 pm to mylsuhat
Yeah.......I almost went for the starter gun but I think this would probably work better.
Posted on 8/5/10 at 10:36 pm to LivininAZbutLoveLSU
Imo tying a dog up to endure the "blast" is the worst thing you can do.
There is a proper introduction that you should do with your dog and it should never be right near him.
You need to start 200yds away popping off .22 blanks having someone that is about 100yds away throwing bumpers after the shot. You slowly bring the .22 blank shooter in to 150-100 yds after at least a week of this.
You then migrate closer as the weeks continue.
When comfortable you only then begin to progress doing the same thing with shotgun blanks.
There is a proper introduction that you should do with your dog and it should never be right near him.
You need to start 200yds away popping off .22 blanks having someone that is about 100yds away throwing bumpers after the shot. You slowly bring the .22 blank shooter in to 150-100 yds after at least a week of this.
You then migrate closer as the weeks continue.
When comfortable you only then begin to progress doing the same thing with shotgun blanks.
Posted on 8/5/10 at 10:37 pm to tigerzballzdeep
Pretty much what I said. 
Posted on 8/5/10 at 10:43 pm to CajunSensation
I hear ya cajun.
I can't believe someone is going to give advice saying "I've never done it but hear it works" to tying a frickin dog up and just blasting right near them.
Wtf are u thinking if the dog is already freaked out about gun shots.
I can't believe someone is going to give advice saying "I've never done it but hear it works" to tying a frickin dog up and just blasting right near them.
Wtf are u thinking if the dog is already freaked out about gun shots.
Posted on 8/5/10 at 10:46 pm to tigerzballzdeep
Had a friend of mine put his lab in a boat. Shot his gun, the lab bailed. Let it swim until it got tired. Pulled the trigger again, dog bailed. Said after about an hour, dog stayed in the boat.
Posted on 8/5/10 at 10:52 pm to tigerzballzdeep
quote:Yeah, based on my experience he has about a 50/50 chance at best with a dog that's gun shy.
Wtf are u thinking if the dog is already freaked out about gun shots.
Posted on 8/5/10 at 10:53 pm to VernonPLSUfan
quote:A friend of my dad's pulled his shotgun up and shot one in the head at point blank range while hunting and at the blind after the dog wouldn't go retrieve.
Had a friend of mine put his lab in a boat. Shot his gun, the lab bailed. Let it swim until it got tired. Pulled the trigger again, dog bailed. Said after about an hour, dog stayed in the boat.
Posted on 8/5/10 at 10:54 pm to CajunSensation
If he/she is retriever crazy, I'd give it 80/20.
Posted on 8/5/10 at 10:55 pm to tigerzballzdeep
I agree Tigerballz.......seems like this would just blow it up completely. I may have to keep him to the back-yard pool since I already screwed this up.......I was just hoping someone had righted the ship after fu%$ing it all up as I did.
Posted on 8/5/10 at 10:57 pm to CajunSensation
He should have been shot in the head. Your dog is as smart as the owner/trainer. 
Posted on 8/5/10 at 11:00 pm to CajunSensation
I can honestly say if you want to blast your dogs ear off in hopes of breaking them of being gun shy, you're going to be severly disappointed with the outcome.
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