A trainer told me gun shyness is genetic. If that's true, then I guess some dogs would never have a problem with gunfire, even if they were hearing it for the first time as an adult, right?
How many working dogs initially experience some degree of fear from the sound of gunfire?
Thunder,gunfire,fireworks its all the same. I think it's definitely genetic.Of course some will argue that there is more to thunder then noise,but I contend that if the dog is not afraid of thunder he will not be afraid of the rest.
Dunno, I have a dog that will sit through a fireworks display, but as soon as she hears the Click click of a gun she heads for cover. If I am even cleaning a gun she will go to her crate.
I rented an apartment across the bay from an old civil war fort a few summers ago. Landlord never mentioned that they liked to shoot off the cannons every weekend for the tourist season. Starting at 9 am to boot. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Since I was working nights I was not a happy camper.
wasn't talking about dry firing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Checking the chamber.
Ummm... to be honest I am really not sure. We don't get a lot of thunderstorms here, but since I have had her 6 years I think I would remember if she freaked over it.
My first dobermutt would go tuck her head under the bed. It was funny to walk into the bedroom and see this dog hanging out from under the bed.
I was glad to find that Gunther comes running to see what the H#ll that was. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Nice change. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Genetic not sure about that my boxer was gunshy till I took her with me dove hunting now she thinks yes she thinks guns are a good thing she will still bark if she hears shooting but shes not afraid of them now
I'm not an expert, BUT in my opinion 99% of the time dogs are influenced about 65 to 70% on genetics. (JMO) I believe this because if this was false generally one could get much more out of a dog without the right genetic make up. (Which is very rare)
I think though if a dog wasn't exposed to loud noises/gun fire and properly geared at the critical age then it would be more of a nurture issue. SO . . . I'm going with genetic.
I would be curious to know when some of the big guns on this board expose their dog to this type of thing.
Sound sensitivity in general does have a genetic component (see Humphrey - Working Dogs or Scott and Fuller). That's why all puppy tests include an element that tests for it. I introduce the gunfire to the pup while he's still very young, but I make sure it is done at a good distance and that it occurs while I am vigorously engaged in play with him. Most hardly notice it at all. Every time he hears gunfire, it's during play, so the association is very positive.
Ed Frawley Administrator Reg: 07-11-2001
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I agree on the gentic issue here. But I have had and seen dogs that are fine around gunfire but hate thunder. It is a real pain. I knew of a male police dog that was a dangerous dog with numerous street bites that would totally ignore gunfire but at the sound of thunder would climb through a screen door to get into the house. I have also seen this in certain bloodlines that I bred in the past. I will not breed a female that does this.
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