RE: Help with Gun-shy dog
Ooooh, the fireworks probably weren't much help. But what's done is done and so you have to move on. Try a cap gun right before and during feeding time. Even while the dog is eating. At feed time, pop the gun from a distance away but still where the dog can see you bringing food. Better yet, have someone else fire the gun and you be with the dog, playing with him. Give him the food and walk a ways off and fire the cap gun while he's chompin' away...all the while giving him praise. You may even use special treats with the cap gun such as some fried bacon or a toy he loves. If this doesn't work, you can get a tape that plays music and eventually fades off into gun shots...you play it around the dog...I forget where you get them, though. At any rate, I have heard of some guys believing the tendency to be gunshy is genetic...not the actual gunshyness, but the "tendency" to be a nervous dog anyway, so that when firecrackers are popped off the dog could associate the noise with fear. You have to reassociate the dog with the noise to where he associates the noise with something desirable, like food, toys, or if he already has a heart for it, hunting. Don't get a whiny voice, and say..."Oh it's okay puppy" when he worries. All he hears is the voice you use when you are loving on him for being a good dog, and so he thinks being frantic is okay. Act like you don't even hear the noise, or just say "good dog" when he stands normal showing no fear. If he shows fear, whatever you do, don't use a praising tone, he'll think he's doing good. Just act normal.
|
