Dummy launchers or starter pistol/hand dummy technique

[Si-Bore]

As title guys

 

Which is the best method for training dogs to retrieve and get them used to shots?

 

Thanks

Si

[WGD]

NTTF has done a pinned thread in this section on Introduction to Shot which is good reading.

 

Personally, from a "bang" point of view I start with a cap gun, then move onto a starting pistol. A launcher is not a lot of use to introduce a dog to shot because the dummy goes a long way and an inexperienced dog will potentially not mark the dummy or go far enough out to make a successful retrieve. Better to use a starting pistol with dummies close to the dog so you can be sure it associates the shot with a retrieve and it can make a successful retrieve.

[cracker]

NTTF has done a pinned thread in this section on Introduction to Shot which is good reading.

 

Personally, from a "bang" point of view I start with a cap gun, then move onto a starting pistol. A launcher is not a lot of use to introduce a dog to shot because the dummy goes a long way and an inexperienced dog will potentially not mark the dummy or go far enough out to make a successful retrieve. Better to use a starting pistol with dummies close to the dog so you can be sure it associates the shot with a retrieve and it can make a successful retrieve.

 

Sorta (90%) spot on. But the irrefutably best way of introducing a pup to gunfire and concurrently retrieving is to have an assistant shoot and throw at a distance. Many good things come from this. The gunshot is away from the pup, helping desensitize it to the bang. The gunshot also gets the pup's attention and through that strategem, the pup learns to look out to watch a mark falling. Lastly the dog is at the side of you, the handler, looking out, marking a fall, and waiting until sent for the retrieve (incipient steadiness). I would emphasize the importance of "looking out" (as opposed to looking up) because with a dummy launcher, the pup as a matter of course gazes up at you, the handler, waiting for the dummy to be discharged from the launcher. Not a good thing in teaching a dog to mark. The hand-thrown technique is just as bad--the dog will get acclimated to going for a mark only as far as your arm can fling it.

 

MG