Thread: Deerdogs, introducing gunfire

I personally am following the blueprint, but has been slow progress with introducing the gun fire.

how has everyone else introduced there pups to gun fire?

Take them to the range. Tie up away from the direct noise on the back of the ute, in vehicle or where ever. Jolly up and give lots of reassurance. Feed some treats.

Make the sight of the gun and getting out with it fun.

Couple of short bits of 4x2 and clap them together . My old lab sat inbthe kennelni built while i made it...hammers and all sorts....happy as

I used to take my dog to the farm whenever I was doing a target day. First couple of times just used 22. Now he loves the noise or sight of rifle as it means long walks.

Hopefully you have mates with dogs that are happy around guns, if so, get them all playing with the pup and have a mate start off firing a .22 50m or so away, the pup will usually look to the older dogs for reassurance and once it sees that they aren't phased its confidence should grow, decrease the distance gradually with the end goal being you yourself firing from close to the pup. Repeat the process with larger caliber once its comfortable. Key thing is not to push too hard, if you recognize any fearful or uncomfortable body language back off until the pup is happy again.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Make the sight of the gun and getting out with it fun.

I think I went overboard in the early days with this, now the bloody mutt needs a couple minutes to calm down from the initial crazy excitement of me grabbing the rifle.
Annoying at times but her excitement never fails to crack me up.

they just want to please and they feed of your enthusiasm way more than you realize

Cap gun from 2 dollar shop, worked great for me

Slowly,gently catchee monkey.... Other dogs around sure helps,lots of noise at home around feeding time helps,dropped steel bowls,stick on corrugated iron etc. can't start too early but sure can over do it if don't watch reactions.

I took mine (Mac) to the Taylor rifle range in Waiouru, when I was the RCO for a unit that didn't have any qualified RCO's for a MG shoot. I tied him up in the trees, and tussock in the vicinity of the 300m mound. Took the detail to the 100m and started the practice. We shot for half a day completed the LMG shoot, did some pistol and Steyr, and at various times we fired from the 300m mound. Ole Mac never blinked all day.