Boom bang a bang
Sporting Gun|July 2020
Fran Ardley goes through the training stages needed to get your dog used to gunshot
Fran Ardley
Boom bang a bang

The introduction to the sound of the shot is part of a gundog’s training that needs careful planning. Fortunately, through selective breeding ‘gun shyness’ is something that today we do not often see in our gundogs. However, poor and ill-informed training can provoke a problem.

Many novice owners are keen to see if their young dogs will be all right with the sound of a gunshot as they are worried about putting in a lot of effort only to find that their hope for the future is scared of bangs. On the subject of bangs, there is a difference between the sound of a gun and a firework and I know of plenty of gundogs that are perfectly OK with a shotgun being fired but are really not happy about the bangs they hear on Bonfire Night.

I am often asked whether taking a young dog to a clay shooting ground is a good idea. I would caution against this for a number of reasons: the first is the amount and volume of sound; most clay grounds have acoustic bunds or banks to contain the sound and this creates an echo, which can be unnerving for a dog. Also, there is nothing positive for the dog to connect to the sound. Problems can quickly develop. Imagine this scenario: the dog starts to show signs of concern and perhaps even begins to whine, and the handler’s natural response is to try to calm the dog by giving it attention and perhaps even indirectly praising it: “Good boy, it’s OK.”

It is not a big step for the dog to connect its behavior with the reaction of its owner and before you know it you will have a dog that develops anxiety and starts making a noise.

HOW

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2020 من Sporting Gun.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2020 من Sporting Gun.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من SPORTING GUN مشاهدة الكل
Thermal spectrum
Sporting Gun

Thermal spectrum

Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2023
Roe, rucks and new ground
Sporting Gun

Roe, rucks and new ground

Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Sporting Gun

Tales from a lifetime of foxing

Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Fox rot about Charlie
Sporting Gun

Fox rot about Charlie

Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
The sniff of success
Sporting Gun

The sniff of success

Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Adventures of Nick & Ted
Sporting Gun

Adventures of Nick & Ted

A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Sporting Gun

The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system

Vet's advice

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Gundogs Q&A
Sporting Gun

Gundogs Q&A

No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Stop-start!
Sporting Gun

Stop-start!

Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Sporting Gun

Gundogs at the Game Fair

Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2023