Dog trainer

Califelkslayer

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LAST EDITED ON Jul-03-09 AT 01:20AM (MST)[p]I need help.

I got a GWP X-mas of "07." I had a buddy shoot over when she was 4 months old. I was petting her and he shot a .45 numerous times, not even a flinch.

That summer I worked up rifle loads, taught my wife and step-son how to shoot a shot gun, etc at the house. The dogs would go into the garage when we started shooting. I figured the GWP was just following the Boxer who obviously didn't like the shooting.

Opening day of chukar season I shot twice at a pair. While watching the old GWP retrieve one, several jumped downhill. As I turned to shoot, I stepped on the GWP pup. She wouldn't leave my feet. I tried her several times, same result.

After the season I took her to a rabbit/quail spot (no gun). First time she took an hour but finally got out from under my feet and "hunted."

The second time I took a handgun (She gets under my feet when she sees a long gun). She chased a couple of rabbits. I shot the handgun and she came back to my feet but it only lasted a minute or two then she started huntin. A short while later my older dog got birdy and I knew she was on some quail. The pup peeled right and a pair got up. No shooting but she came back to my feet. I got up on the old dog and the covey flushed. Pup hugged my legs.

At this point I gave up!!!!!!!!

4 months later this pup minds so well, wants to please me, has energy for days, hunts on her own all day (ground squirrels) Although I have a male GSP I'm working with, the GWP has so much potential, I think she'll be the better dog if I can get her past her gunshyness.

And I'm willing to pay someone.

Any recommendations?????????

Or is it wishful thinking and I'm wasting my time???

I'd like to get some opinions of guys who know gundogs before I waste money.

Oh I forgot, I saw my neighbor bout three weeks ago with a pellet gun and another neighbor's dogs were near his place. At that time I thought maybe he'd shot the pup the year before and that's the problem but thats just a guess.
 
I can recommend someone, but I think it's a problem that I can help you work through yourself. If you can't then I'll give you a number. The key is to get the dog so birdy that it doesn't care about the gun. Then reintroduce the gun at a distance. Start with a .22 and work up to a shot gun. Then move the distances closer. If you can get the dog way into birds I think you can work through the gun shyness issue. I've done it myself. Utahbirddogs.com is a wealth of info, the guys there will help you out. Some of them are pro trainers, some of them are just guys like me with tons of experience. If you want a phone # send me a PM.
 
i think i would take it a step back, even from that. does your dog like to play fetch? if so, get a cheap little cap gun. get her playing and having a fun time, then SLOWLY introduce it during play time. even with a cap gun you will know if or when you need to back off. also, depending on how "nutty" she goes over dinner time, use the cap gun then as well. wait until she is focused on the food she is munching away at and take a shot. with my gwp, everyday at feeding time was like the first time he ever ate. so thats where i started. lots of good girls, petting, and positive reinforcement is the key. i know the cap gun may sound like way too much of a step back, but you need to re-affirm the "BANG" with things she enjoys doing. once that works, and i think it will, then get her on birds WITHOUT A GUN. once she seems comfortable, start again with distance and smaller to larger calibers. you literally have to start over with her. one of the hardest things to do with a dog, but it can be done. glad to see you not giving up on her. i absolutely LOVE gwp's. what kennel did you get her at. im in the market again after losing my male a few months ago.

GOOD LUCK:)

whichever way you go, keep us posted...and maybe a few pics of her!!
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-05-09 AT 04:13AM (MST)[p]I don't totally disagree, just that every true bird dog that I've been around would do just about anything, including forsake food, to get at birds, so that's where I start. In the end that is what he wants. A dog he can shoot birds over, not a dog he can shoot around at dinner time. I suppose if he can get the dog to let him shoot around it at food time, then he might be able to make the transition to birds. Whatever is done, do it slowly and without any loud noise for a good while until the dog is completely confident. Then introduce the gun. The problem is not always fixable, but it is not the end yet. Again, if you want a pro, I'll get you some numbers.
 
I've been away for awhile guys, thanks.

I used to introduce over food while they are young, As i stated originally, we shot a .45 over her at 4 mo. old, no problem. guess that's history though.

I'm gonna try a either .22 blanks or just a primer in my muzzy. Got chukar (8 weeks old)

I'll get her on birds in Sept.

Thanks again.
 

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