So I know gun shyness is usually caused by human error. I have a 1 year old Brittany who I got to pointing birds last season. I shot a 22 around her and then took her on a planted chukar hunt with my old bird dog and a friend. Every thing was fine until we both shot at once and she ran back to the truck.
For several weeks after she was bird shy. After dropping hundreds on pen raised quail and running her on my friends pigeons she became interested in birds again and we shot a 22 with no concern from her.
Everything was going fine until I brought out my old dog and instead of backing her on point she ran back to the house. Now if she smells a planted bird she will hold a point for a few seconds then run back to the truck. She will chase the quail or pigeons and I have not fired a shotgun near her for 6 months. The breeder won’t return my calls and I’m worried I can’t get her over this.
Any help?
First off. Everyone makes mistakes with raising and training dogs. We are human. But almost everything is fixable. Dog and kids are resilient. They can have a bad experience and learn to get over it.
Here are my suggestions.
First try to fix the bad association with loud noises and birds by getting a live bird in her mouth. It’s like crack cocaine for most bird dogs. Give her a good experience with a bird without loud scary noises. Use a tethered bird. Let her point it if she will, then flush it and let her chase and retrieve it. If she is too freaked out about birds, just give her a live tethered bird from the hand. Don’t let her chew it up, but let her hold it, praise her, love on her. Take it away from her, praise her and love on her. Let her take it back, praise her and love on her. Make it a good day with no loud noises and repeat multiple times as needed over multiple days.
Then go all the way back to square 1 with the noise training. Every good experience is an opportunity to expose her to noise. When she’s eating bang pans together and praise her and love on her. Loud noises when playing fetch, praise her and give treats. Take your time and repeat. You’ve gotta build confidence and good associations. Every time something loud or scary happens. Love on her and give her treats. Try to instill a pattern in her where scary things make her want to come to you for reassurance and treats. You don’t want her running off when something scary happens. This is a long term process. Don’t stop it even if the next step works.
Then combine. You stay with her in the field, and let her find and point a live tethered bird while someone further away uses a cap gun or 22 repeatedly. Keep her focus on the bird, love on her and praise her. If her focus goes away from the bird to the shooter, stop the shooter and refocus her on the bird and good things. If you need to, flush it and let her fetch it. Start the shooting again while she has it in her mouth. If she starts focusing on the shooter, stop and go back to bird work without noise. Repeat this as many times as needed. Slowly work your way closer and louder over multiple days. Don’t push it too fast or too long. She will tell you when she is done for a day. Make the experiences fun and comfortable.
Wish you patience and luck.
