Thread: dog afraid of gun shots

I gun trained my dog with 22s. She was a little skittish but thought she was fine. Took her hunting with suppressed 308, She hated it. Took a month of training before i could pickup a rifle without her cowering away. Started just by picking up the rifle 5cm off the ground and putting it back down. Then laying rifle on the ground placing treats around it etc etc.

Some dogs just are not suitable for loud noises. But you should be able to gun train with patience.
Start next to the dog and get someone to go reasonably far away bang two bits of wood together,cap gun, 22 etc. You want to reward for being calm and not being in fear. Ie tail down ears back low head etc. Food driven dog give treats. Toy driven dog throw their toy or play with them etc.
If they look in direction but don't seem bother thats good.
Use the dogs reaction to tell you what they are comfortable with. Move closer when they are comfortable.
Take it slow and work at it slowly. A few times then stop, dont over do it. Give it a day or so rest then do it again.
Work in both drive and calm states. Its easier to do it while in drive but that just kind of masks the problem if they are still afraid when calm.
Once they are reasonably comfortable vary where you do it and how you are doing it.
Can also play loud noises randomly at home on speakers.

Dont do it right over them while eating food to start off. Its generally fine for dogs that are in gun training but can be bad for dogs who are gun shy already and put them off their food.

I started mine with a cap gun and was about 20m away and threw her ball, she looked in the direction but didnt care too much. Did that 4 or 5 times, then set it off before throwing the ball.

Good luck.