Afraid of Sight of gun

[Lady J]

My DH got  a 6 year old pointer that seems to be afraid of the sight of a shotgun and the racking of it.  doesn't mind so much the shooting in the field.  But rack the shotgun and she shakes and lays in her bed.  any suggestions to help? thanks.

[lokidog]

Find something the dog enjoys and slowly bring the gun into the scenario.  You could start by just placing the shotgun near its bed so it gets used to it just being around but not scary.

Welcome to the site.

[Torrent50]

Glad you found this site.  At least she isn't afraid of gunfire.  That's a whole different battle.  Somehow she has developed a negative association to the racking sound that she might not get over.  Dogs are funny critters that way.  My parents had one that would run and hide whenever the refrigerator clicked and kicked on.  I guess the easy (but expensive) solution would be to buy a nice over/under and do away with the racking sound....  

In all seriousness though, I agree with placing it near the bed.  Lean in in the corner near the food dish, etc.  Hopefully she will get used to it. 

[Ruger]

I would find and over/under or auto shotgun...  That dogs bed is its safe place so i would not want to make that an uncomfortable place for them...

[ghosthunter]

I would rack the gun and feed a treat. Like nice sandwich meat.
And I would lay the gun down next to the food dish every feeding.


But that's just me.

[follow maggie]

Another vote for having the gun around the dog all the time.

[gregr072]

Well to start with, this is difficult.

If it was me, I'd think about this problem and its solution in very very slow terms.  I wouldn't plan on hunting with her this fall.

I would start with the shotgun out in the house for short periods of time  (just a few minutes at first), with no one touching it.  Like its a piece of furniture. Randomly drop some treats on the floor so she gets some positive reinforcement.  Do this a few times a week.  If she shows concern put it away for a week, and try again.  Don't put it too closer to her bed, but against a wall in an open space, so she sees it and doesn't feel threatened.  Slowly increase the amount of time but watch her carefully, you don't want her to show any fear.  I wouldn't even pick the gun up around her though, until she is comfortable having it in her vicinity.  When she is to the point of showing no fear with the gun in the room for a bit of time I'd transition to the field.

I'd have a friend carry the gun, behind me and the dog, say 50 yards (maybe more depending on how scared she is).  Do this several times over the course of a week or two.  Each time the gun is slightly closer to her.  Let her run, have fun and ideally point a bird.  The idea is the gun is just something you're carrying, don't show it to her or give it any attention.  After success with this a few times I would wait until she is fully focused on running (ideally chasing a bird) and then have my friend rack the gun one time and one time only.  Hopefully she shows no concern, but either way put the gun up and let her have some fun.  I'd repeat this exercise over multiple days (again don't rush it), slowly having the gun closer to her until she is completely ignoring the gun.  At this point I'd switch to a .22 blank gun and repeat the whole thing over again (ideally with birds).  When I had my friend fire I would want him to be closer to 100 yards from the dog, while she is chasing or watching a flying bird.  Only one shot.  Repeat the same exercise over multiple days slowly getting closer to her.  If she ever shows the slightest concern during any of this (watch for dropping tail and ears) take a week off and back up a couple steps.  You want to be 100% sure she is not gunshy.  That is a very difficult problem to correct (some would say impossible). 

Good Luck!

[Copperwood]

A formal gun breaking of the dog should cause her to get over that. At 6 years old this process could take a while but patience will pay off. An association of the gun to a bird will allow her to get over her fear.

[Lady J]

Thank you for all the replies.  Hubby has been working with her daily.  He and my son decided t take her out today on Lead and she wasn't as shy.  She got on point quick for the first bird and did great.  Once she got the first bird she was on a roll.  It's like a switch went off and she remembered that hunting was fun.  she did great today.  They got their first birds over her and my son got his first rooster...so good day for all...

Thank you for all your advice!!!!!

[jjaba]

 

[lokidog]

Thank you for all the replies.  Hubby has been working with her daily.  He and my son decided t take her out today on Lead and she wasn't as shy.  She got on point quick for the first bird and did great.  Once she got the first bird she was on a roll.  It's like a switch went off and she remembered that hunting was fun.  she did great today.  They got their first birds over her and my son got his first rooster...so good day for all...

Thank you for all your advice!!!!!

Very nice!  Pretty soon when she sees a gun, she will be all over you trying to get you to take her out after the birds. 

[wildweeds]

Takes longer than one thinks for a new older dog to adjust to new owners,it's not a wham bam get the dog saturday hunt the dog monday type of affair, bonding will vary with each dog because every dog is different.