danccooke Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Just a quick quesiton. At what age would you take your dog out with you when shooting? actually another one too. Does the dog need to be perfectly trained before taking or would you do 'on the job' training too. Obviously I guess this is easier when you already have one working dog for the other to follow but what about if you don't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 As soon as mine can sit, heal and shoot straight then he will come out shooting, until then he's holding the lamp. coat lost but im off anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 For a spaniel I would look for 100% dummy steady, turn, recall and stop whistle every time and steady to game your are likely to encounter. Because if you can achieve all this in a training environment it will make the inevitable cock ups and behavioural regression in the shooting field easier to sort. To use a cliche it's not the age, it's the stage. .... and that is definitely what I would stick to NEXT time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 How old was your puppy/dog the first time you took them shooting AS SOON AS HE COULD HOLD THE RIFLE :blink: sorry, couldnt help myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 16 weeks, but she did sit in the truck while we lamped, now just comes out and sleeps in the footwell however to introduct to a shotgun leave it a bit later and be careful how you do it see the guide on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPEEDY Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 I started taking my last dog out at 8 weeks (Staghound) shooting bunnies with a .22, when I got one I would clean it and give her the kidneys so that she would associate the "bang" with yummy treats and dinner. By the time she was 3 months old she caught her 1st Rabbit, it was only a kitten and she didn't know what to do with it when she caught it so she just sat on it but she didn't take long to lean what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 My springer was nearly 2 years old before I took him, He was ready before that but being my first dog I was nervous and didn't want to take him until I was absolutely sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Roxy (lab) and I started hiking the woods when she was 8 weeks. she had her first gun exposure when she was between 8 and 12 weeks (22LR) and she was going to field trial training sessions with live and dead ducks at 4-5 months old (complete with full shotgun accompaniment). She got her first bird exposure (planted quail) when she was about 8 months, but that was only because that's when I could get flight ready birds. We got her at 8 weeks at the end of January, so there was no opportunity until the following season when she was 10 months old or so to hunt over her. Of course she has hunted since that season. Thanks, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancs Lad Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 He was just about 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 years ago i took my lab, she was 6 months old shot a pigeon ,she walked out two it picked it up and brought it back, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fallarben Posted April 19, 2009 Report Share Posted April 19, 2009 i tend to put a shot over them before i do to much training just to see they are not gun shy but dont forget there is a difference between gun shy and gun nervious then iwill not take a dog again till i can walk it at heel sit stay etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddan Posted April 20, 2009 Report Share Posted April 20, 2009 My springer was nearly 2 years old before I took him, He was ready before that but being my first dog I was nervous and didn't want to take him until I was absolutely sure. I did the same as MC, didnt take mine out until he was a year and half because I too was nervous. I should have taken him out just before he was a year old but found myself putting it off because I was scared he would end up gun shy (he had heard starter pistol and shotgun at distance but not close up). After lots of excuses of why he shouldnt come my wife told me just to take him. So first thing i did was ask my brother in law to walk down a field and let a shot off while I comforted him, and then move gradually closer. Anyway he went all of about 20 yards and let a shot off but the dog was fine so we just got on with it. My advice do the training piece, dummy work and recall essential, but dont end up putting it off because it becomes a habit. My dog still refuses to stop at distance but will come back every time, so I still take him while working on it. I previously used these things as excuses not to take him. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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