Thread: Gun shy

Gunshyness in the dog is 99.9% handler error.

Six months old puppy...why do people have to push their puppies? Most breeds will be around for 13 to 15 years yet people are obsessed with getting their pups out there working...when the handler should be working on letting the puppy grow good strong bones, the basics of control and having the puppy gain confidence in their leadership.

I agree entirely.

They haven't been pushed at all mate. My family have a farm, a big part of my lifestyle and my buddies is hunting and fishing and the puppies come when I/we deem it suitable and not too stressful, like I said above, they haven't been deer hunting yet, just the odd bunny shoot. I'm talking an hour or so...not a full on day hike and stalk. It's been part of their growing up.

99.9% handler error is a big call - my collie staff and his litter are all fine yet this blokes collie foxy litter is not. (spoke to owners of both dog litters). I'm looking at tips to correct, as above Classical Conditioning seems a fair answer.

They get fed bloody well, on venison and fresh rabbit weekly if not daily, they get as much sleep as they want, they're exercised regularly but not strenuously and always have another dog for company when we're not around. Their intro to firearms has been slow and started with a .22 sub and more recently the .223 and the odd .270 shot.

So an answer to your question "why do people have to push there puppies"?
I have no bloody idea because I don't.

There's no pressure for either to be out there working yet at all, I asked for advice not sweeping generalisations man, come on.

Originally Posted by jord

I agree entirely.

They haven't been pushed at all mate. My family have a farm, a big part of my lifestyle and my buddies is hunting and fishing and the puppies come when I/we deem it suitable and not too stressful, like I said above, they haven't been deer hunting yet, just the odd bunny shoot. I'm talking an hour or so...not a full on day hike and stalk. It's been part of their growing up.

At six months that is too much, bunny shooting with its high volume of shots is more than a deer hunt which is bang/reward. I know hunting dogs, particualarly deer dogs that aren't exposed to shots until well over a year old, when they are up and hunting.

99.9% handler error is a big call - my collie staff and his litter are all fine yet this blokes collie foxy litter is not. (spoke to owners of both dog litters). I'm looking at tips to correct, as above Classical Conditioning seems a fair answer.

EBs is right, apart for the collie influence which as Kawhia states is known for gunshyness, it is absolutely the result of how it was introduced.

They get fed bloody well, on venison and fresh rabbit weekly if not daily, they get as much sleep as they want, they're exercised regularly but not strenuously and always have another dog for company when we're not around. Their intro to firearms has been slow and started with a .22 sub and more recently the .223 and the odd .270 shot

Unrelated but that's pretty lean tucker for a pup, being the farmer you are, you should know pups are raised on the fattiest old ram you can find.

So an answer to your question "why do people have to push there puppies"?
I have no bloody idea because I don't..

There's no pressure for either to be out there working yet at all, I asked for advice not sweeping generalisations man, come on.

I admit EBs was rather scathing but she has a point, please don't get defensive because she is pretty accurate in her generalization of NZ hunters. We aren't born dog trainers. If we were, you wouldn't be asking here, right?

PM Ruff, he is your only hope

Originally Posted by Pointer

At six months that is too much, bunny shooting with its high volume of shots is more than a deer hunt which is bang/reward. I know hunting dogs, particualarly deer dogs that aren't exposed to shots until well over a year old, when they are up and hunting.



EBs is right, apart for the collie influence which as Kawhia states is known for gunshyness, it is absolutely the result of how it was introduced.



Unrelated but that's pretty lean tucker for a pup, being the farmer you are, you should know pups are raised on the fattiest old ram you can find.



I admit EBs was rather scathing but she has a point, please don't get defensive because she is pretty accurate in her generalization of NZ hunters. We aren't born dog trainers. If we were, you wouldn't be asking here, right?

I hear you - sorry for being overly defensive just don't appreciate pot shots without background facts.

It would've been a total of 20-30 shots over the last 6 weeks. No more than 3 in a day/night. I use a single shot Winchester .22 and rarely miss rabbits. I'm not being cocky but that's fact. Too many bunnies anyway!

The meat is always mixed with higher fat/dry food too for the record. I've raised dogs before, just not hunting dogs.

This is besides the point. Thanks for input, I'll work at some classical conditioning.

Sorry EB - appreciate your input, that's just not me or mine you mentioned.




Sent from my Browning

Originally Posted by jord

Sorry EB - appreciate your input, that's just not me or mine you mentioned.
Sent from my Browning

I wish your mate the best of luck with the little dog...