How to Train Gun Shy Dogs

A gun-shy dog usually has suffered a traumatic event during its lifetime that has rendered it terrified of the loud report of a gun. Many dogs simply lack the bold nature of a hunting dog from birth. The dog will show weakness by trembling and being reserved in personality. Often such a dog will become gun shy over time. Curing this trait takes time and patience. The trainer will require the help of two friends to help him train the dog successfully.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog food
  • Food bowl
  • .22 caliber gun
  • Shotgun
  • Duck call
  • Bumper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Discharge a .22-caliber gun at least 50 feet away from the dog while it is eating. If the dog runs from the noise promptly remove its food. Repeat the process daily until the dog stands its ground and finishes its food despite hearing the gunshot. Eventually the dog will become hungry enough that it will not run when it hears the gunshot but will continue to eat and learn that the gunshot will not hurt it.

    • 2

      Spend two weeks teaching the dog to retrieve a bumper. Hunting dogs have a deep genetic instinct to play fetch and teaching a dog to retrieve helps to overcome the dogs fears by refocusing its desires and thoughts when the time comes to fire the gun.

    • 3

      Take the dog out into a field. Have a friend position himself 75 yards in front of the dog. Have the friend call on a duck call to get the dog's attention. When the dog looks at the friend have him throw the bumper at the dog to retrieve it. The dog will launch itself after the bumper in a happy frenzy. When the dog heads out to retrieve the bumper have the friend shoot one shot from a .22 pistol. The dog will be oblivious to the report of the gun. Work on the exercise daily for a few days. Then have the friend move in 25 yards closer to the dog and repeat the exercise for a few days. Continue until the friend is only 25 yards from the dog when discharging the .22-caliber gun.

    • 4

      Take the dog out into the field again when the dog is stable around the sound of the .22-caliber gun. This time have the friend 75 yards from the dog with a shotgun, which is much louder. Repeat the exercise that was previously performed with the .22-caliber gun. Have the friend move closer to the dog over the course of the week utilizing the same exercise of retrieving and discharging the gun until the dog becomes stable around the sound of the shotgun.