The American Beagler Forum

I have some puppies that this is the first gun season . They are not gunshy but a little afraid of the gun anybody got any suggestions to help with the puppies. They are about 15 months old. thanks Clay

My experience with breaking dogs to the gun is this. If you have a broke dog to run them with that is great. Do not shoot rabbit on the jump. Shoot only when the dogs are trailing and tongueing heavy. Try not to shoot while they are close. I try to make sure it is a good shot so as to shoot only once and make the kill. After a few kills they will learn what the shooting is all about.

kokomo kennels wrote:I have some puppies that this is the first gun season . They are not gunshy but a little afraid of the gun anybody got any suggestions to help with the puppies. They are about 15 months old. thanks Clay

I shoot bottle rockets off the back porch once or twice a week. Seems to do the trick and bottle rockets are pretty cheap.

I try to get them aquainted to gun fire as soon as they are use to jumping rabbit in my starting pen. I start with a simple cap gun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5TDakgN-zQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwV9NScu9d8

I've heard of guys firing a shot out their door just before feeding time, then they start looking forward to hearing that gun shot every night. I've never tried it but it sounds logical I guess.

I carry a 22 blank pistol with me 24/7. I use it when running old dogs and young ones. I use it the same way as rabbit hunting, never had any gun shy problems.

keep gunning them hunt ...em..shot the rabbits the be fine

I got to ask. Are the skittish while the are running or is this while they are in their kennels and you are target shooting. Some dogs just don't like loud noises but don't let it bother them while the are hunting.

kokomo kennels wrote:I have some puppies that this is the first gun season . They are not gunshy but a little afraid of the gun anybody got any suggestions to help with the puppies. They are about 15 months old. thanks Clay

Are they afraid of the gun when not being shot? Not afraid of gunfire, but of the gun itself? If I understood you right, you may want to make the gun a normal part of you. Take it with you when you feed. Make them think the gun is feeding them. Pet them with the gun in hand and even with the gun. In the off season walk with a walking staff or carry a gun size stick. Some dogs are naturally shy of sticks and may associate it with correction or pain. We also start all the pups with a single shot .410 and never jump shoot, shoot near the dogs, or shoot without all the dogs in the chase. This includes what we do with our grown dogs as well (minus the shotgun size). If I have to jump shoot, then I don't trust my dogs to circle the rabbit back. I always try to position myself to where the dogs are hammering the rabbit and not under my feet. Just what I like to do.