Will Rambeau Moderator Reg: 01-25-2003
Posts: 5983
Loc: Idaho
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First off, how close is the source of the gunfire to the dog that he is having a poor reaction to? Is this for SchH or bird dog training?
The most common method to overcome gun shyness ( in SchH ) is as follows:
Obtain a recording of gunfire and play it at low volume in the canine's presence during neutral times until the dog shows no response to it.
Then play the recording during feeding time at the same low volume. When the dog has been conditioned to totally ignore the recording, increase the volume and repeat the steps until the dog seems steady at a significant volume.
At this time you may add .22 cal blanks fired at least 30 meters away from the dog - observe it's reaction to this stimuli - if it is neutral, you may move closer to the dog at 5 meter intervals.
Keeping the dog active in some kind of behavior that it enjoys ( Obd exercises, or play ) during the introduction of the blank gun helps to establish a neutral relationship to gunfire for the dog.
The gunshot was done like normal during obedience on the training field and the dog just stopped and wouldn't continue obedience. We didn't push the issue as we didn't want him to associate the field with a really bad experience. The dog has incredible drive and so we tried (at home) playing with a ball and a tug while the gun was shot about 50 to 60 feet from him and then he wouldn't even play with the ball or tug. He has had the shot around him from the time he was little until now and just now became an issue. Before would just move his ears acknowledging that he heard it, but never like this. He has always had incredible and beautiful obedience with an amazing willingness to please and now, he doesn't care.
Will Rambeau Moderator Reg: 01-25-2003
Posts: 5983
Loc: Idaho
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Keith,
I still suggest playing a recording of gunfire at very low volume for the initial desensitizing training. If you're patient, I've never heard of this method failing ( patience being the key word here )
Thanks Will, we will try this and see how it works. Not willing to give up on this dog just yet. Everything else is just SO nice about him. Thanks again.
Will Rambeau Moderator Reg: 01-25-2003
Posts: 5983
Loc: Idaho
Offline
Sure, glad to help.
For a realistic recording of actual gunshots, playing the early portion of the movie "Saving Private Ryan" works well - the gunshot recordings in that movie were made from the class III machineguns from BullsEye Firearms in Lawrenceville, GA, and the recordings are considered to be the best quality that was ever done. ( little stupid firearm trivia for ya'll <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )
What we do when we introduce a dog to gun fire is, have a decoy stand clear accross a field and fire. If the dog has no negitive responce the decoy takes a step forward. If you do not get the desired responce increase the distance between the decoy and the dog. Your goal is to decrease the distance between the gun fire and the dog. Always end on a positive note. I like to give my dog bites for rewards. But becareful your dog does not pare gun fire to getting a bite.
Quit eye ballin my dog and no you cant have a pic! I am not here for your amusement. AND I DONT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR HOUSE DOG! ANY QUESTIONS? Good..You can call your lawyer later.
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