sinex Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 Some background, Had an 18 year break from dogs, no hunting or shooting back ground, Just started training my 12 week old GSP on the whistle, he's pretty good, so a proud farther might say, 3 blows come back, 1 to sit or hup hup as have been told, 2 to go, any advise here appreciated, my real question is, I want to do is introduce him to the sound of guns, where might I take him in the Northants area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 First just bang some metal plates together. Then move upto a starter pistol then a shotgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 (edited) Be carefull of doing too much too early, your pup is very young to be training to the whistle and introducing to shot at 12 weeks old (In my opinion). Stick to the very basics of whistle training if you must (Recall and stop) but I would advise leaving the introduction to shot until much later. I have seen more than enough gundogs ruined due to introducing to shot too early and too quickly. I have trained a few GSP's and am based in Northants so happy to offer help as-and-when you do decide to go ahead. PM me if you would like to chat further. Edited February 2, 2010 by Browning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattw Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 Northampton shooting ground allow dogs on a lead, Take him for a walk see how he gets on and maybe do a round of clays??? If you dont want to shoot there will be plenty of others shooting that you can stand as near to or far from as you want... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 I wouldn't take him near a clay ground for a long time, pointers are generally more sensitive than most so do take some effort to get it right. Mine started coming out in the truck lamping from about 4 months so heard plenty of rifle shooting from inside. First tried her near shotguns at 8 months and thought I'd blown it as she wasn't keen at all. However left it and got her beating at 18 months and with the excitement and scent ignored the shooting entirely and has gone on from there. Now is by the door when the cabinet opens and is spot on when round guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 GSP's are very slow in maturing and will be put off very easily. 12 weeks is right in the middle of what some call the fear stage, it will be very easy to ruin your dog at this age so leave it for a good while yet. Mine went gun-shy at 3 years old so beware! GH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinP Posted February 6, 2010 Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 Mornin, take thing slowly as others have mentioned. i just made lots of noise around house, banging pots and pans etc every now and again to get him used to sudden noises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pidge Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 Be carefull of doing too much too early, your pup is very young to be training to the whistle and introducing toshot at 12 weeks old (In my opinion). I would disagree with the above IMO they learn so much without realising at that young age. I would use the whistle every time you use a voice and/or hand signal so the puppy gets used to all the different commands. I do use a starting pistol sometimes when we're all just running out in the field but that is a very different sound to a shot gun. Mine have been around 3/4 months old at the start of the shooting season so the pup just comes with me when I'm picking up (on a lead obviously) and just hears the bangs without having any problems. Once you get some months older maybe it's worse - just like people find it harder to get their dogs to swim when they leave it until they are older. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 I would disagree with the above IMO they learn so much without realising at that young age. I would use the whistle every time you use a voice and/or hand signal so the puppy gets used to all the different commands. I do use a starting pistol sometimes when we're all just running out in the field but that is a very different sound to a shot gun. Mine have been around 3/4 months old at the start of the shooting season so the pup just comes with me when I'm picking up (on a lead obviously) and just hears the bangs without having any problems. Once you get some months older maybe it's worse - just like people find it harder to get their dogs to swim when they leave it until they are older. Obviousely your methods work for you then...however, I will stand by what I said and will stick to my methods, which have proven to work for many dogs over many many years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kron Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 i have heard party poppers can work initially. thinking of getting someone else to pull the popper in the another room just before giving the dog dinner. of course need to get the dog first but should only be a few weeks if everything goes according to plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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