I introduce the dog to lots of birds way before I ever introduce the shot. Once the dog is excited about birds and the pup has flushed a bird I have a partner shoot a blank round out of a starter pistol 50 to 100 yds away. I watch the reaction in the dog. Usually is not porblem at all and each bird flushed I can move forward and eventually shoot a few for the dog.

That is how I do it.

I justcringe whenI see guys who bring a pup to a trap or skeet range - or think banging pots and pans over their head while eating or making any other loud noises is twhe way to go. You are wasting your time as I have helped break far too many Gun sensitive/ Gun shydogs because of that method.

The shot means birds - pure and simple.

For flushers we fly pigeons at some distance away and then may shoot a few as the dog progresses.
For retrievers - we may start with bumpers and then progress to birds.....

Watch the reaction in the dog. If the dog's ears droop and the tail is tucked be careful. If the dog comes back to you stop right there and seek professional help as with any dog tht runs back to the truck!

The age to start thisis when the pup can hunt the field. Certainly not at 6 to 12 weeks of age. Four to six months is more like it.

JW