How to Acclimate a Dog to Gun Fire
If you've ever seen a hunter chasing his dog through the woods--or better yet, carrying her out of the field because of a syndrome commonly called "gun shyness"--you'll also get to hear the hunter's favorite choice words as he huffs and puffs back to the vehicle. Just because a dog is of a certain breed does not mean the animal is automatically going to accept loud noises and/or gunfire as natural occurrences. As in other aspects of animal training, a little time and patience will in most cases acclimate a dog to the noise of a gunshot.
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Instructions
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Start training in a gradual way. Begin when the dog is a pup. Every few days, blow up a paper bag and pop it. Start at a far distance and move closer each time. This process usually takes a couple of weeks, but some breeds may adapt to the sound much sooner than others. Gauge how comfortable your dog is based on your knowledge of his disposition.
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Move on to a firearm after the dog is used to the paper-bag trick. Again, starting small is the key. A .22-caliber rifle or pistol makes very little noise compared to a 12-gauge shotgun or deer rifle. Again, from a distance, repetitively fire the .22 caliber, moving closer to the pet every few days until she becomes used to the noise.
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Take your dog hunting on a regular basis so he can become familiar with the sounds of gunfire. With a little time and a lot of patience, you will have a dog that will not cower or run when gunfire is heard.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not begin acclimating the dog by tying it to a tree and firing a gun. This will not make him used to it. Be sure you are trained in firearm safety and have a license for your weapon.
