Breaking To The Shotgun

[Ruby Lakey 18]

Hi all. Just looking for some practical advice for breaking the terriers to shotgun. I've read conflicting articles on it so just looking to see what has worked for you. Got a young pup I'm just about to start on and I've got it wrong in the past when I've just assumed they will be fine.

 

Cheers.

[Alimac2 321]

All of mine, terriers lurcher and gundogs, are all done the same.

Entertain them with something they like, normally food. Get someone to stand 100yards away and fire a couple of shots, if it's unfazed just keep lowering the distance. Sometimes can be done in 20 minutes with s bolder pup, or a week or more for a shyer type.. You will see signs of it not liking the bang before it freaks out, learn to see the signs and you'll not go far wrong..

[Mr Wilkes 2,989]

If it was a pup then banging its food dish on the floor before you feed it would get him used to loud noise , if its older go to your nearest clay pigeon club and slowly move closer (over time) and gauge the reaction of the dog.

[Ruby Lakey 18]

Great stuff, thanks guys.

[sikastag_1 689]

With a pup it's normally pretty simple mate, I take them to a big field with older dogs and let them run about and Fire the starter pistol behind my back and watch their reaction if they don't seem to be bothered I fire another few and leave it at that the older dogs not being bothered rubs off a hit on the pups and it helps distract them. With an older dog or a dog that's shy it's a bit more complicated but in short find something they like doing like chasing a ball or whatever, distract them with something they like while a mates away a distance and fire the pistol and slowly get closer, sometimes it ain't that simple but it all depends on the dog

[Ruby Lakey 18]

Thanks grant, hadn't thought of that approach. I have a freind with a great retriever who doesn't flinch at gunfire and her and the terrier get on like a house on fire. Cheers.