Victory number one

[Rick Roemer]

Today was pretty warm to try some bird hunting at a preserve, but we got there before sunrise and planned to be done by 11. Near the end, the older dogs were on point at the far end of a field when I called back my puppy who has not been thoroughly exposed to gunfire. On her way back to me she settled into what every bird dog owner longs to see.-her first solo point. Thought I would share with the group as I’m sure many can share my elation. She did it just right. I look forward to many happy hunting years with her and some of my Parker buddies.

[J. Scott Hanes]

I am always amazed at the natural instincts of a pointing breed. Bless them all for the pleasure they provide. That is a great photo!

[John B White]

Nothing more satisfying and rewarding (and, occasionally frustrating) than giving a dog the opportunities to do what it was born to do. Some of the most enjoyable periods of my life were during the early training stages of the dogs I’ve had. Watching them learn from each encounter, applying themselves to the terrain and learning to seek likely objectives. They’ve paid me back tenfold. Enjoy your pup. Good looking dog.

[Garry L Gordon]

A special moment. You are in for some fun now.

[John Dallas]

If at that first gun fire exposure, let me suggest this. As a young pup, while he/she is in her crate, go several room away, and lightly bring together several lids. If the dog flinches, back off a few days, perhaps going futher away. When the dog is no longer flinching, the next day, move a bit closer, and repeat. Each day, go closer as long as the dog isn't flinching. Before you know it, you will be playing the Star Stangled Banner with no negative responses from Fido. trust me, I know.

[William Machauer]

Great picture of a beautiful dog!

I always start my pups by shooting my airgun, they get the idea of a gun. Then I start with a .22 and cb shorts/longs for that wonderful aroma of burnt powder. Then I'll throw dummies and used primed hulls, then very light loads from my 410.
Of course while my pups are just starting to hear at week 3-4 of age I make noise around the whelping box, hardly ever get a skittish pup by week 8. Granted people can and do screw up and scare a puppy which can cause more problems.

One dog I had thought nothing about my 338 win mag going off while sitting next to me.

[Dean Romig]

Long ago I read of a method of assimilating a pup to loud noises.
While the pup is eating take two blocks of hardwood and smack them together the whole time they’re eating. Start softly and increase the intensity. The pup is far more interested in eating than any extraneous noise.
I did this with my Brittanies, my lab and my Gracie, English setter.
It worked very well and they were never gun-shy.





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[Bill Murphy]

When my Wirehair, Eva, was a puppy, Linda brought her out to the gun club. I was shooting skeet and Linda let Eva off the lead and she ran down to the skeet field when she saw me shooting. Eva went straight for the gun and started licking the barrel. That was her first gunfire experience.

[John Dallas]

Bill - I'd say you were lucky. A gradual increasing level of noise (particularly if it is accomanied by food) has never failed for me

[William Machauer]

My 'middle child' Parker was a pup she seemed fearful of lous noises, I was concerned that she would not hunt.
Each Thanksgiving friends put on a fun shoot at their farm. I took Parker, keeping her back on a check cord, the first shot fired she dragged me right to the line and sat next to the guy shooting. That weekend she went hunting. She found and flushed bird, went right to it sniffed it and walked away. It took a little reinforcement to get her to pick it up. Once she figured out that was what was expected of her it was all over.

Another thing I do with my litters is puppy dummies with bird scent , especially with the pups I know are going to be hunters, cant start the nose soon enough!