littlerob Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 (edited) last week one of my regular clients sadly she passed away from a 10 month battle with cancer yesterday had a phone call from her solicitors say acting on the behalf of family and her wishes would i take Bella and be her new owner this was a shock to me at first but i have spent one day every week since she was a pup and now she is just over 2 years old playing fetch and giving her loads of attention and letting Bella's owner now how much of a lovely dog she is so i feel a little honored that is was her wish's for me to look after Bella i had no know idea of this into yesterday so been out got dog food in new Kennel and dental sticks and few dog treats Bella is a chocolate Labrador cross Dalmatian now here is my question will she be able to train as for a gun dog she retrieves tennis balls and sticks fine and drop them about 3 feet away from my feet happily with out the need for treats she walks of the lead and wont leave more then 3 feet away from me but i will be walking her on a lead for the time being to she use to her new home as i have picked her up today Edited July 22, 2014 by littlerob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 Depends on which dog dominates the cross. Dalmations were coach dogs for running by a horse and coach, so one of the few dogs good for joggers as lots of stamina. If her basic obedience is good and she is already retrieving she would probably benefit from some gundog classes to see how she does. Don't give up after the first few setbacks as it can take a while with an older dog. Three of our current dogs are rehomes and have all settled in and trained up well as pets or gundogs. Leo OH's springer was 2.5 when we got him and is coming on well in gundog classes. You have a head start as she already knows you. If she has been a house dog she might not settle in a kennel, but would benefit from a box in the house for nights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlerob Posted July 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 im not after a dedicated gun dog but i wouldn't mind if it was possible if i could get her to retrieve the odd bird but most thing i would like to have a companion to come long for the days where i go walks across fields with the gun or sit down and company in a hide so it the introducing her to the gun noise i have in my mind whats the best way as i don't want to for example take her out load a cartridge fire it and scare her forever of guns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 Wait till she has settled with you and trusts you totally. She will probably be a bit clingy for starters as rehomes usually need that extra security. Put ear defenders on her to soften the noise. We used Mutt Muffs for Leo, but the £15 yellow ones from B&Q fit my setter which will be about same size as your dog. Get her used to wearing them. We protect our ears. dogs ears are more sensitive and if she is sat with you while your firing she needs her ears protecting too. If you can get her used to sudden noises for starters like a spoon on a saucepan and build up to the big bang. Cap pistols make a good intermediate sound and starter pistol if you have access to one or air gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlerob Posted July 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 (edited) i have a old spring air rifle should i cock it leave it empty fire it throw a dummy for a start but on satruday i might take her to the local gun shop that also breads and trains gun dogs and see what they have to say but if not the will still get the loving home her owner wanted for her Edited July 22, 2014 by littlerob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 Try the local gunshop. If he is breeding and training will hopefully get good advice, but don't take everything as gospel. Lots of breeders and trainers think they have to be pure bred, trained and from a pup. You might end up being pursuaded to a starter pistol though as that seems to be what most proffessionasl use for starters. Around £45. BIL has a Collie, Springer Terrier mix rehome and she is great. Even necks the runners with a quick shake before bringing them back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 Yes, depends on only two things. 1. can she get through the gunshot desensitisation 2. has she got a natural hard mouth. The only thing I should say is leave the spring airgun out of it, don't know what the dogs hear but I think its the pellet in flight or something but very many don't like it. Claps, bowl banging, toy cap gun, quiet blanks escalating very slowly at feed times or anything she can associate as a "good thing" with the bang (work up to retrieves with it) Don't go firing a 12 bore over it and avoid clay grounds. The Dalmation is far from a dumb dog in my experience. Good luck under sad circumstances, looks like the dog found the right home and does it really matter at the end of the day? just have some fun and if you make a good job of it what a blast if you took it on shoot day and performed real well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted July 23, 2014 Report Share Posted July 23, 2014 Good advise here. Take the gun noise very slowly, if the dog goes gun shy it will be very difficult to change. A spoon banged on the feed bowl is a good start, my littlest spaniel is nearly 11 months and has not been near a gun yet. I would try and find a local gundog trainer and get a bit of help. There is nothing better than having a dog for company on long walks with the gun. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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