Thread: Gun Shy Dog

I had the same problem with my dog - Izzie.

I followed all the theories on here of bits of wood clapped together when eating - negative experience and went off food. Subsonic .22 and it was even the sight of the rifle that was enducing fear.

I eventually got through it by a positive experience with a rifle. Izzie was mad on deer scent but brininging the rifle on the hunt induced a fear response, so we went hunting a few times without a rifle and just carried a stick to represent a rifle. Be aware that even your anticipation of the dogs negative reaction could be part of the "erxperience" you are currently having, afterall over 90% of a dogs "communication" is via body language - and yours forms part of the communication you have with your dog.

If possible set up the perfect hunt, you, rifle and deer. Even if you have to "pay" for an easy hunt it's worth it.

Does your dog get to chew on any deer products? Hide, hocks etc or is it keep off the actual physical taste of deer, if so the next step is easy. Izzie was mad on the scent of deer but never ever "tasted" it until we shot one. She never "played" with anything deer related at all during her training. With the perfect hunt set up - she smelt the deer, could see the deer, was in a solid down and I fired from in front of here. She heard the bang - got a little fright, but saw the deer drop. Reassurence given and then a slow, back to training like, stalk in on the downed animal where she got the taste and smell of a real deer for the first time up close. Lots of praise on the "finding" the deer and she's never looked back since.

Happy to talk on the phone if you want any tips - PM me for phone number