Gun Shy May 2026

: Have an assistant fire a light load from a distance only when the dog is in full pursuit of a bird. The excitement of the chase often masks the fear of the noise. Gradual Progression : Start with hand claps or banging blocks. Move to .22 acorn crimps (very quiet).

: Remove the gun from the routine entirely for several weeks. Focus on building "prey drive"—getting them excited about birds or their favorite toys. Gun Shy

Only move closer or use louder rounds when the dog shows zero reaction to the current level. : Have an assistant fire a light load

: Fire a very low-volume noise (like a cap gun or a starter pistol) from at least 100 yards away while the dog eats. Move to

: Pair the sound of a gun with something the dog loves.

: If your dog shows fear (cowering, trembling, or running away), stop all shooting immediately . Pushing them further can cause permanent trauma.