firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted July 6, 2022 Pretty sure I posted this when it happened, but my Redline Airedale passed in April. Thanks to John, I am getting a awesome female Airedale here in a few weeks. With my last one, I waited too long to train/condition him to the sound of gunfire. When I did, he did ok but I would like to start younger with this one. This brought me to the idea of using blanks from a .22 revolver, but I have 0 experience in this field. I would like to start from the lowest noise level and work up. A little research has shown most to be unpredictable and flat out unreliable. Does anyone have any pointers or suggestions on where to start? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesPursuit Report post Posted July 6, 2022 Labs are generally easy but I was successful doing a few things in order - YMMV Start by banging around lots of cabinets, pots and pans during feeding time. Associate all good things with loud noises. Bring your dog around someone else's gun fire or a local shooting range from a distance. Get as close as the dog permits and back off as soon as it shows concern. Keep it positive and don't rush it. Handle a firearm around the dog several times. Associate food and treats around it. If all goes well, I would feed the dog or throw a retrieve and fire quiet 22 lr or other reasonably quiet round in opposite direction from the dog and a good distance away from the muzzle. Even better is a friend throwing a dummy and shooting from a long visible distance so the dog can make the retrieve. The .22 dummy launchers can also make the experience quite the treat for the pup. Good luck! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muleybowhunter Report post Posted July 6, 2022 The sound of a shotgun racking a round drives my GSP crazy she knows that means lets go have fun. When she was a very young we made all kinds of noise while she ate. then by about 16 weeks started shooting a shotgun in the distance and worked right up next to her. Now no issues shooting over her. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted July 6, 2022 I did the pots and pans with my yellow lab. That didn't bother him, but gunfire did. In the end all I got was dented and oblong pots and pans! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
10Turkeys Report post Posted July 6, 2022 With my first shorthair I was told to start off with a cap gun around her when she was eating. I did that and there were no problems with her being gun shy later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n2horns Report post Posted July 7, 2022 the bang/fetch has to be rewarding for the dog, that is the association/bond that develops. if the dog knows that a bang and fetch/pickup is good, then they dont care about the noise. My lab would freak if I dropped a fork or knife on the tile, and split, but I could shoot the gauge over his head with no issues. Get to the point where they wont move if nothing falls to the ground for them to pickup. I would be on the boat blasting but the dog would sit on the bow until told to go. I did the noises during feeding, also would play hunting videos with lots of shots while I played fetch in the house. Then progressed to the outside. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatfishKev Report post Posted July 7, 2022 You could start with a cap gun. Hold it sideways for full affect. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegunsmith2506 Report post Posted July 7, 2022 10 hours ago, CatfishKev said: You could start with a cap gun. Hold it sideways for full affect. this has worked well for me 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mbiewer Report post Posted July 7, 2022 11 hours ago, CatfishKev said: You could start with a cap gun. Hold it sideways for full affect. "gangsta style"??? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zoltar Report post Posted July 7, 2022 I have been training my new pup,4 months old today, by exposing him to all sorts of noises while acting calm and continually telling him he is a good boy. Shop vac, air compressor, nail gun, table saw and motorcycle have all been accepted with a no concern on his part at all. I live under the Rim and we have had a few thunder storms in the past 2 weeks. Distant thunder was the first he heard and it got his attention but again I sat nest to him acted calm and reassured him he was good pup. Had some big crashing thunder a few days ago which did not phase him in the least. I started out 2 weeks ago I sat out with the daisy red ryder and shot coffee cans while he was next to me with the same reassuring drill. On our morning walks in the woods I have been carrying a 22 Marlin so he has a gotten used to that. Last Saturday shot some cans with a 22 short so he could get used to the noise. He sat next to me as it all was normal. Good luck with your new pup Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eli Report post Posted July 7, 2022 13 hours ago, 10Turkeys said: With my first shorthair I was told to start off with a cap gun around her when she was eating. I did that and there were no problems with her being gun shy later. I did the same thing. Just the little revolver one and ring caps. Worked well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
latinheat Report post Posted July 7, 2022 While obedience training, a simple loud hand clap with a positive stimulus follow-up. Getting the pup used to the hunt game, however you prefer to do that. Then mix in hand claps, followed by distant low gunfire with a partner helping you. Always follow-up the noise with a positive stimulus. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HyNoon Report post Posted July 9, 2022 On 7/6/2022 at 6:19 PM, CatfishKev said: You could start with a cap gun. Hold it sideways for full affect. Kill shot ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
