In previous articles, we have taken a look at encouraging our young gundogs to accurately mark the ‘fall’ of a dummy or game. Once in the shooting field, the ability to do this will be inextricably linked to the dog’s understanding of the Gun, both shooter and machine.
An experienced dog will immediately be aware of the sight, sound and presence of a gun, understanding that this combination is a part of the pack – an essential part of the hunting team. If you stand back and watch a dog hunting, it will react with anticipation and excitement to all of the cues given off by hunters as they prepare to take a shot. The closing, click of the safety catch and the mounting of a gun to the shoulder will prompt a learned response – hopefully a positive one. Unfortunately, if you meet a gun-shy dog, you may well see a very negative and fearful reaction to all of the above.
While some dogs are perhaps predisposed to being noise-averse, this fear will have been caused by a loud bang that was probably avoidable. Clearly, we need to introduce our young dogs to the gun carefully! Here at Lains Shooting School and Mullenscote Dog Training Centre, our dogs hear the constant noise of gunfire in the background. While this is helpful, it is not enough to enable a dog to understand what a gun does and how it will bring him reward. It’s essential we go out of our way to show the dog exactly what the gun brings to the party.
THE GUN
STAGE ONE
For the gun owners among you, I recommend that you carry a gun during training, with either dummies or food. The dog will then get used to seeing the gun while having a good time!
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Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av Sporting Shooter.
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RSPB gives mixed message on shooting
Having recently attended the RSPB’s virtual AGM, Conor O’Gorman discusses the outcome of the charity’s year-long review of game bird shooting
Causeway for concern
Alan Jarrett’s renewed interest in reading takes him down memory lane to an offshore island duck flight that very nearly ended in disaster
Through a purple patch
The Garrows Estate is taking a conservation-focused approach to restoring the wildlife populations and biodiversity on the Scottish heather moorland.
When the wheels fall off
Losing form on a day’s shooting can be infuriating, especially if you’ve been shooting like a god up to that point. Simon O’Leary looks at some common causes and how to remedy them
Beaches, books & bad behaviour!
The annual Kay family vacation to Northumberland offers a chance to give the cockers a blast on the beach – although they don’t always shower themselves in glory, as Ryan Kay recalls...
Using the Stop whistle
Now you’ve instilled the basics, it’s time to up the ante with some more tricky distance work. Howard Kirby explains how to take the core Stop whistle command to the next level
The humble teal
They may be tiny, but as far as Rupert Butler is concerned, the appeal of this little duck is huge. He recalls some of his most memorable nights in pursuit of these aerial acrobats
Fab all-rounder
Mike is impressed with the Fabarm Elos B2 Field Notte, which offers great value for money, is suited to fieldwork or clays and is future-proofed for use with steel in all choke constrictions
CALL OF THE WILD
Dom Holtam reconnects with one of the purest forms of shotgun shooting as he walks-up woodcock over pointing dogs in the Scottish Highlands
A yen for the Fens
Tony Jackson recounts a memorable duck flight over an area of Fenland in Norfolk with his friend and author, the late Alan Savory
