I need more help training my pup to be a gun dog?

4 Responses to “I need more help training my pup to be a gun dog?”

1. Brewmeister says:

   11/21/2011 at 9:14 pm

   You and millions of other people have the same issue. When treats are the reward, the dog soon realizes commands from its owner equal food and soon loose the drive to please it’s owner. They become selfish. Not good. Easy to fix tho…

   First, totally eliminate treats. Be stronger verbally, let them know you are serious and if need be, add a touch of ‘harsh’. But, when the dog does something positive, the only reward is praise from its owner. That is what gun dogs do-they want to please their master.

   You have a young dog yet. This problem can be fixed. He just needs to realize that it’s your way and no highway option. Give him plenty of praise tho when something is done to your expectations.

   Regarding the jumping, I found a sharp knee to their chest and a commanding “stay down!” always worked in very short order.

   I hope this helped. I have been training retrievers for almost 30 years now and every day, they amaze me one way or the other! Good luck!!
2. Jimbo P says:

   11/21/2011 at 9:58 pm

   At four months let him point and chase pen raised birds. To the point that he does not ever catch one. While the bird is in flight and in full chase fire a blank gun. keep this fun. Again do not let him catch a bird or this will set you back ten fold later on.

   At four months just let him learn manners. No formal training. Do this after his first huntin season or after a year of age.. He has no extended focus or concentration at this point. It all must be fun.

   Then durring hunting season let him bust birds but dont shoot. Once he points then and only then shoot and kill. This will be his reward and will continue pointing. Only hunt him by hisself and you. Expect him to embarass you and except this…..the first year.

   most of all have fun and go to a Smith training Seminar. They are the best. Use the web and look up Ronnie Smith or Huntsmith.
3. Sam B says:

   11/21/2011 at 10:36 pm

   I’m in the same process with my Golden Retriever Pup.

   You can tramatize a dog if you shoot a loud gun around it at a young age and it will always be afraid of guns because their hearing is much much more sensitive than ours, So do this:

   You want to slowly introduce the dog to guns. Start out with a BB gun and have him understand what you are doing, make him watch you shoot pop cans. Do this often and for a couple months of it’s puppy life atleast.

   Next use a 22lr, but make sure he is in the car watching you shoot the first time so the noise does not freak him out, do this often. Next have him outside the car with the 22lr. Keep using the 22lr until he understands fully. Maybe even take him out while you shoot small game with it so he can see a few kills.

   After he is comfortable with the 22lr he should have a good concept of what guns are and I would use the next available caliber to you that is louder than the 22lr. I’m going from 22lr to .223 and then to a shotgun.

   Note: Everydog is different so monitor it’s reactions to the gun shot sound and work on it as much or as little as needed.

   Good Luck
4. Amy says:

   11/21/2011 at 11:30 pm

   You need a full and proven training program.

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   Check my source, hope it helps. Good luck!