bvemanta Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 I took my 6 month old lab shooting yesterday It was on a private field withe our own little clay trap. The idea was to leave her in the 4x4 and just see how she reacted to gunfire as I could stop at any time if she was worried. We set up closer to the cars than I hoped for (10 yds max) after firing a few shots my friend continued firing while I snuck round to spy on the dog to see how she was reacting.. As I got closer I couldnt see her in the back and I started to worry that she was panicking and trying to get under the seats or something so I rushed up only to find her stretched out on her back on the back seats in the sun snoring away not showing any reaction at all lol. I opened the door and she opened one eye and slightly moved her head but when she saw it was me she closed them again and when back to sleep lol. So I suppose it was a good day in that she is not bothered in the slightest by the sound of gunfire next time I will get her out the car and see how she is on the lead with my mate shooting see if she will still heel etc. I was expecting her to be a little nervous but not to be so absolutely chilled out lol but saying that on fireworks night she was fine and watched the fireworks out the window and she was only 13 or 14 weeks then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 do it very slowly and probably leave it a bit as well. Get it wrong and its a struggle to sort out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bvemanta Posted February 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Even though she showed very little reaction I plan on a slow introduction and take my time with her I have never trained a gundog before so everything is slow and steady. I think shes doing great shes very eager to learn and lives to play retrieve games. Shes good at recall I think the force is strong in her lol. I am just working on basic obedience and throwing in odd days out around shooting etc so she is used to being around it trying to keep it all fun and relaxed for her so far so good. The hardest thing at the moment is trying to steady her a bit with the retrieving She is off like a rocket as soon as the dummy is thrown trying to pick it up at full tilt resulting in many spectacular slides rolls and various other unnamed acrobatic manouvres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 be very careful with the retrieving if she does that kind of roll etc as otherwise you'll end up with one with no hips early. You have to be so careful with labs up to 12 months certainly and ideally longer. Patience is the key Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bvemanta Posted February 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Youve Got me worried now as the last thing I want to do is hurt her. How do I settle her down then she really loves the retrieve games and pesters me every evening until I play with her for a while.Like I said she lives to retrieve.Any advice gratefully recieved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 just limit it, and things like not lettingher climb stairs or jump into cars etc as well as limited walks all help in the long term Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzrat Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 Our spaniel was exactly the same, We were living in edinburgh when we got him and what with the Tattoo and bonfire night lasting from oct to december :lol: and New year he got used to the fireworks pretty quick. We had to keep picking him up and showing him out the window. Even now he bolts to the back door if he hears a bang, wanting to go see. spends all of bonfire night and new year out in the garden watching rockets :lol: Fuzrat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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