Training a Cocker-Springer-Spaniell pup about gunshy.

[henry1]

We recently found a stray Cocker Springer Spaniell and she is verry interested in finding birds but does not like the sound of my bp pistol with a cap in it or the sound of a pellet gun going off, shes even scared of our bows when we shoot them, what should i do?

[harley]

Henry 1;

Sounds like your going to have to start slow, and at the very beginning. Being a stray you don't know what the dogs experiences have been with gun shots!! He may have been tramatized but good even if not hit.Get the dog interested in something else, food, play, fetching whatever and have someone slap two blocks of 2x4 together, fairly gently to start.A couple of 6 inch blocks can make a pretty sharp crack. Once he stops flinching when the blocks pop, pop them good when you throw a dummy for him to retrieve. See if you can make him associate a sharp crack with something fun. Go slow and good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

[henry1]

Thanks so much, we just got her spayed yesterday so I'll start it in a week. thanks again,       Henry    15

[freddogs]

This is a very serious problem. I went through it with the male wirehair I have now. I had to get him really worked up over birds and work shooting in very very slowly. It took two years. It's not worth going through.I was very committed to this dog and he is now a decent hunting dog. He doesn't mind shooting but he gets real nervous during thunderstrorms to this day. Money and time wise you're better off getting a different dog for hunting. If you want to work with him go very slow. Build his confidence with lots of exposure to new things. Chances are he's kind of shy. This is a job for a calm methodical trainer. If you're not that type of person it's that much harder. :?