Getting pup exposed to gun fire?

[Stein]

I looked at it more as socializing them to noise as opposed to focusing just on gunfire.  When our pup was very young, I started with a cap pistol, hammering nails and other power tools.  Last summer, I build a shed and she was in the yard when I used the nail gun, hammering, dropping boards.  She is so curious and ended up sniffing at the nail gun when I was firing it off.

Fourth of July is another good time, I took her outside and every big boom I fed her a treat.  She was scared, but took the treats and I think it helped.

The first gunfire was at a shooting range (dirt pit style).  I had her in the truck and then out of the truck but not very close to the gun.

When we finally got into a duck blind, she didn't mind the gunfire at all.

[aaronoto]

Good info already posted...  I was very nervous about introducing mine to gunfire so I took it real slow.  Read too many bad stories about people creating gunshy dogs...

Here's what I did since I didn't have access to birds at the time.  My dog goes crazy for bumpers so I had someone about 50 yards away with a .22 fire off a shot as she was in full sprint on a retrieve.  She showed no reaction so shooter gradually moved closer until he was standing even with me, but still firing when she was in full sprint.  That was it for initial introduction.  Next time out it was with a 20 gauge and the same drill.  The next time out a 12 gauge and the same drill.  After I got through the 12 gauge I introduced a dummy launcher so she heard the pop before the retrieve.  Then up to a 20 gauge again doing the same (fire and then toss dummy) then 12 gauge again.

If we're just out and about and she hears a loud noise she'll still startle, but absolutely no negative reaction when we're out in the field hunting.   

[wildweeds]

.22 ammo produces a sonic whirring via the rifling ,similar to a silent dog whistle that can produce negative effects. I myself use clip wing pigeons a helper and a .410 shotgun posted 50 yards away. Each session the shotgun moves closer. The key element is the distraction the bird causes and the focus/drive it causes.

[Jpmiller]

I fired my shotgun while she was eating once a day moving closer every few days. She was introduced as a pup but took some time to get comfortable. Food is a good distraction for a lab.

[7mmBuckley]

Very loud noise and different noises when he eats he will look up but the drive of the food will keep his attention to the food soon he realized loud sounds were a good thing. Had a buddy with a hand launcher and he shot it from about 50yds away he soon realized the game and it was FUN!! he's 8 months old and I can shoot it right next to him and he doesn't flinch. If you can associate it being FUN he will never have a problem. Have FUN