dog not gun shy but shotgun shy need help!!

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Originally Posted by Dakota Creek

Am always amazed how owners ... Yes, even retriever owners .... Think their dogs will naturally pick up anything with wings that flies! "I've been training with pigeons and he won't pick up a duck, goose, etc". First question .... Has the dog been exposed to whatever you are expecting the dog to pick up? If the dog has only been trained on bumpers, ducks smell and feel different in their mouths, as do pheasants, and geese different again and talk about a size difference! It takes less time to make the quick introduction of a new species to your dog than to stand there in the field yelling fetch it up while the dog circles around this new "thing" you are asking them to pick up. ��

To the OP, I would take the time and step back and introduce birds to this dog in a training situation (not just ducks if you are thinking of working him on geese as well). Hopefully you can get him excited about retrieving with hand throwing birds for him to retrieve. Then I would be tempted to add a duck / goose call before sending him for the bird. Then add someone at a greater distance with you calling, and them calling then throwing the bird and sending the dog. At this point if all has gone successfully, I would add a gunshot from the thrower after he calls and throws. If all continues positively, slowly move the gunner closer to where you are running the dog from. Like anyone trying to initially introduce gunfire to a young dog, do not rush this process as you try to discover the anxiety your dog has experienced (gunshots, calls, etc).

You may be asking too much of this dog, particularly if you are expecting to work this dog in colder temperatures (and particularly over water), but wishing you good luck in your training and with your hunting season.

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Good post.
Also true with pointing. A bird is not always a bird. Dog may point pigeon great , so you take her pheasant hunting and .....They also need experience on a variety of birds.

Doberman hunter: I admire your philosophy. You're enjoying the dog you have- good on you. See the "Dog House section " terrier , who at 13 is retrieving ducks for his owner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TLy...ature=youtu.be it's not a duck, buts as close as it gets hahahahahaha still needs a lot of field work but it's a glimmer of hope. After having thought I lost four decoys a couple weeks ago I stumbled upon them but getting to them was an issue as they were stuck in the middle of the creek that after going in over the top of my waders I found out was quite deep. After knocking the last one free I ran back to shore to grab my phone and catch boe's last retrieve. The creek wasn't bath water warm but it was actually fairly warm which I found odd

Don't rush it. Start off by just holding the gun EVERYTIME you feed him.

Next I would play with him doing whatever he loves the most, Have someone fire the 12gauge about 100,50,25 yards away. Only move closer when the dog hardly notices the shot. You have to act like you don't hear the shot either.

I have seen my cousins yellow lab go from having a complete fear of guns and gun shots to the goose retrieving machine that he is today. My cousin had the breeder help him and that's how he started. The breeder couldn't stress enough that you don't want to rush it and not every dog can be cured.

Lots of excellent info already in this thread, Good luck

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Originally Posted by SongDog

Only move closer when the dog hardly notices the shot.

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Whether you are doing initial gun introduction to any dog (young or old) you move closer not when the dog "hardly" notices the shot, you move closer when the dog does NOT notice the shot. The dog should be so focused on making a retrieve that when the gun is fired, regardless of the distance, the dog does not look at anything other than the object to be retrieved whether it be s bird or bumper.