Gun Shy

[Bobcat45]

A few months back my wife and son went to a animal shelter to look for a pet. They came home with a nice looking blk Lab. He's turned out to be a good family pet. We all like him. But the other day my son was popping some bubble wrap in the house and he went and hid. I figure this may be why he was in the animal shelter now. I was wondering if it is possible to train them not to be gun shy or if there like that that is the way there going to be? It doesn't matter because he's going to be the family pet either way. But I'am curious. He's about 2 yrs old. Thanks

[RandyFish]

Go slow. Avoid making loud noises when he can feel "trapped," such as in the house.

My pup, a griffon, was very soft and at first I thought I would have an issue. I do not, thanks to this method.

It is designed to get the dog to associate a loud "bang" with something fun, in this case fetch.

Make only popping noises (a kids cap gun, or bring some small balloons and pop them) outside and then only when the dog is doing something he or she loves.

Throw a dummy or a ball, as dog chases, make the noise. If the dog freaks, stop.

Next time. wait until the dog is farther away to make the noise. Eventually let the dog get closer to the noise.

Only play fetch -- and get the dog excited before playing, really psych him up -- with the noise, and soon the dog should respond.

The other thing you could do...use a dead pigeon or duck or something that he would really, really love. (you can put the bird in the freezer to extend "shelf life")

Again, only use the bird with the noise...it kind of says, "Hey you have to tolerate this noise, but there something with feathers art the end of the rainbow."

With an adult dog, there may have been something very traumatic when he was little...and that could make it very hard to get him used to loud noises -- if at all.

but good luck.

[Bobcat45]

RandyFish sounds like a good way to start. Thanks for the advice. Bobcat

[LABS4ME]

Bobcat... Though Randyfish has the concept right DO NOT start the process off with birds or retrieving. If he is already afraid of loud noises, you do not want to assoc. loud noises with something you want him to do. Without having to retype the whole process again, go to the top of the page, click on search, type in "gun shy" under water dogs forum, click on the link from 10-13-03 started by Blackjack, it goes into detail the way to break them. I've done several dogs and have managed to a least get them to tolerate loud noises. Do not rush things...and you can work them through.

Good Luck! Ken

[This message has been edited by LABS4ME (edited 02-08-2004).]

[JOSHF]

I had a choc lab that started out gun shy but I we did was I held her tight to my side while on a lead so she felt safe and my dad took small shot gun and shot a few time a bout 75 yards away . It started offf rough at first but I reassured her it was OK and praised the heck out of her when she sat still after each shot and he gradually worked his way closer to us. But be sure to keep her on a short lead, almost tie her collar to your thigh and make sure she is against you during each shot , this way she will begin to realize that it is safe and once you conquer this then start to associate a thrown dummy after each shot. She will get the hang of it eventually but don,t get discouraged if it doesn't work the first time--Good Luck