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Subject: Noise conditioning

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russ nickell User is Offline

KC Mo.

MH
Posts:83

08/10/2010 5:06 AM
I want to try and do some noise conditioning so when hunting season starts the dogs are ready. My GSP was gun shy when I first got him and even though he is doing ok now I want him ready for that first gun shot of the season. I live in the city so using even a starter pistol is out of the question in working with him on a daily basis. I have a copy of a CD with music mixed with gun shots has anyone tried one of these in working with their dog. I am not sure I this is something I should even worry about but figured it can't hurt. New at this whole training thing so any help out there is welcome.

trueblushorthairs User is Offline

MH
Posts:129

08/10/2010 6:49 AM
Your obvious answer is caution is your first priority. But, noises are not birds and gunshots. My two Field Champions are afraid of lightning and fireworks and love the sound of gunshots. The opposite is also true, a dog that handles fireworks or lightning or banging pots is not gun conditioned. Nothing replaces hard flying birds, dogs in full chase, and proper gun conditioning. One way or another you will need birds and gunshots to acclimate the dog properly or the first time out for the season could accentuate an already major problem. Not knowing the dog or seeing how he reacts to distant shots then closer, makes it impossible to diagnose. I would find a good pro or well qualified amateur who can work the dog and see what direction you should head. A dog that is truly gunshy is often nearly impossible to completely, or even partially, fix. Again, not knowing the dog, I would suggest going back to the beginning if the dog is even slightly sensitive to shots now. Put him on birds or let him chase like crazy, make sure he is bird nuts, then have someone get 200 yards away and fire a blank gun with low load one time and see his reaction. If he even stops or looks then stop shooting and go back to bird chasing until he has NO reaction whatsoever. If you hurry him, you may just compound the problem.

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4474

08/10/2010 6:53 AM
The problem with noise conditioning is that it probably won't apply to hunting. IOW, you can bang pots and pans all day long, but until you get out there and start shooting you have no way of knowing how 'hard' he is when in prey drive. I would suggest that you 'plan' your shots. Only one shooter,make sure the gun is in front -so he can see the shooter - only shoot one shot and make sure the shooter is somewhere around 100' away,preferably shooting away from the dog and to the front. See how he reacts and go from there. The key to success is a dog's hardness when in prey drive - it's linked to temperment. It can be built up, so work with him slowly. Good lucka nd keep up up-to-date

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7921

08/10/2010 8:17 PM
I agree with both trueblue and pixie. Once he is bird crazy and hard driving you could probably fire a canon and he wouldn't react. Ideally, you want to dog to hear the shot and automatically think birds. Don't rush or you will have issues. Slow and patient are the operative words and nothing works like a bird crazy dog.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

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