First Hunting Dog Need Tips! Is He Gun Shy!? Or At Least You Think He Will Be?!?
He’s a 9 week old black lab. I first started with a .22 cal and he didn’t even move. Then I shot a .223 cal. around him and he just sat there and looked to where I shot. Do you think he’d be able to handle the sound of a 12 gauge? I don’t know how much louder a 12 gauge is than a .223 but I just want to know if he’ll be able to handle it. I’m trying to make him a hunting dog. This is my first hunting dog. His ad did hunt and his mom did a little bit. Any tips to make him a great hunting dog?! Oh I almost forgot I don’t know if this was helping him or not but I had a 5 month blue heeler with us and she didn’t move either..but they were kind of playing but not vigorously just walking around by us. I thought it would help him to have some other dog there. I didn’t know if this would take his mind off of it or not, but he would look up every time we shot. I also wanted to know will he be a better hunting dog if I get him neutered? Thank You so much to all who answer!! I really do Appreciate it!
If you are new to this a doggy hunting and obedience school should be in order. Yes on the neutered. Dogs ears are sensitive to loud noises so be careful.
Your going the right way to ruining your dog. 9 weeks is way to young to be shooting guns beside you puppy, 6 months at the earliest. Too many people want to know if their dog will be gun shy then stand over them banging away and make them gun shy.
Your dog knows how to hunt, you need to not ruin him, slowly introduce the gun, no tug of war games it gives them a hard mouth and they’ll crunch birds, and basic manners, sit, stay come.
Shotgun is quieter than .223, shotgun blast is subsonic, the sharp rifle crack is the sound barrie being broken.