training of a hunting dog it requires patience and great sensitivity towards the animal. Most dogs try sometimes fear and can even go as far as suffer from psychic hypersensitivity. In the case of hunting, the utmost attention must be paid to shot of the rifle, a sudden noise and that is capable of upset right there psyche of the auxiliary. To help our best friend in these situations, there are precautions that may seem simple but that really make a difference when you go to hunting.
Because the dog is afraid of the shot
The dog is the faithful companion of the hunter that supports him during thehunting activity. For this reason it is used to gunshots and noises. Sometimes it can happen that this is traumatized, especially when he is very young or has never had hunting experience.
So theused to shooting must be addressed gradually through training based on methodical and gradual.
But sometimes there are dogs that despite training, can suffer following a sudden loud noise like I shoot it. Too much sensitivity can have several causes.
The same happens when the hound is listening, consequently both his visual and olfactory attention fade. So it could happen that focused on this aspect, he could have one less clear visual reaction or that it is not able to perceive the smells well.
During this stage, the dog can have one excessive response to the rifle and the shot. What is certain is that it does not have a traumatic origin, but that it depends on genetic factors.
When dogs are trained to hunt by experts in the field, they are still puppies and therefore they hardly suffered a trauma. Sometimes it can happen that they are afraid from consecutive noises, but this it does not cause problems in the long term.
Enough reassure the hound, taking it with us during a hunting trip without using the rifle and with the presence of his master, for sure the dog will regain confidence and will overcome the momentary fear.
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Despite these drawbacks, as previously mentioned, the causes of fear of the dog towards the shot, are to be found in the genetics. It may happen that the ancestors of the dog in question have suffered from the noise of the shot and this it is also handed down to the heirs.
The sure thing is that when we run into this situation, the only thing to do is to have a lot of patience, consult an expert and at the same time overcome the fear of the dog and make him regain confidence in the shot.
How to train a dog to shoot
Let's see the different steps to prepare the dog for the shot.
First approach
This is a fundamental phase because we must get the dog to get used to the noise, so every gesture must be done with awareness. In order for the training to succeed it is important have a large and open place.
If we are in the house, we must have a spacious garden and fenced. Alternatively we can go to a suitable training center. The need to have open space is to meet the need for move freely and to escape the sight of the master.
THEtrainerIn fact, he must be able to hide so that the dog does not see him why he has to issue with the whistle the recall until it reaches the point where it is.
Once arrived it must be rewarded with a prize, like a piece of meat, a crocchino. The operation must be repeated several times a day to make the dog understand that the tax is a positive reminder at the end of which there is a reward. This exercise must go on for about a week, because the hound must get used to the auditory call.
Shooting habits
When the dog has got used to the call with the whistle, you can proceed with the second stage of training. The hound free within the garden or a fenced area will have to arrive following the shot. When it is away you must deliver the blank shot, which must be followed immediately by the recall whistle. Once he gets back to you, you can reward him with a small food treat.
Repeat the same exercise several times a day for several days, without the dog seeing you, by changing the caliber of the pistol. If you initially use a 6 gauge, later use the one with a higher and consequently louder gauge.
Then when the dog gets used to it, repeat the exercise by doing a second elapse between the shot and the whistle. If the dog responds well, you can decide to increase the interval up to two seconds. Proceed in this way for approx one week. Subsequently increase the time between shot and whistle up to 3 seconds and for several days in a row.
This is done because iThe dog must come towards you without waiting for the whistle, with the awareness that there is a prize for him. Thus the shot becomes a positive and not a negative element.
Be seen while you shoot
When the dog arrives from you right after the shot, but before the whistle, then is ready to go to the open countryside.
Here you repeat the exercises you have done at home, then shoot the rifle, whistle and on the dog's path let him find a bird dead placed by you. This is the substitute for the prize because it rewards him for the work done to perfection. Repeat this a couple of times a week.
When he gets used to the noise and in the presence of dead game, you can practice your hunting activity with your hound ready to respond to your commands.
