[Deleted by Admins]

I agree that 5 months is too young to start hunting but my dog was 4 months old when he and I would go out shooting ground squirrels and he had a ball. When bird season rolled around a few months later he was ready to go and give it a try.

On the second question, I wouldn't worry about it at this time. Let him bulk up then get use to swimming and retrieving in the water and then slowly work your way up to jumping off a pier or raft or something.

At that age it is important to introduce things gradually so he doesn't acquire any permanent aversions to water or even worse, guns. Labs are not particularly sensitive usually and you should be able to get him used to both in short order. It still needs to be done step by step to be safe. If you don't have a training book (or video) to tell you how to introduce water and gunfire gradually then you need to get one. If you can get him used to guns, water and birds then it should be fine to let him tag along hunting. You can't expect very much though and I wouldn't take him on serious hunts with other people because he's going to mess up (no way around it at that age) and you don't want him to associate hunting with getting in trouble.

How do you hunt without a gun? Do you just yell bang when a bird goes up? Just kidding. Take the pup out alone and when he jumps or points a bird is the only time you shoot! Make sure the pup is on the bird and he will not even hear the shot. Bo was pointing and holding birds at 5 months and I was throwing lead at them.

[Deleted by Admins]

I agree..........I made a mistake and took my dog along on a dove hunt to condition him to gunshots. Bad mistake. He shut down on me and had an accidental bowel movement in just a matter of seconds. I quickly got him out of there. Since then I have been taking him to the gun range, starting from the parking lot and loving on him and giving him treats. This is the only time I have used the treats in training by the way. After only two trips to the range with gradual introduction each time we are now training directly behind the line. I will throw a bumper and make him steady, wait for a shot, and give him the command to retrieve. Worked great for me, hope it works for you.

Just remembered! I did download some gunshot sounds and some duck call sounds and burned a cd. I played the cd softly to very loud while I feed every evening. I think this might have been the thing that really made it easy. Then at the range I taught my dog to associate the gunshot with a fun retrieve and sometimes a treat.

Good luck and happy hunting

I introduced my GSP to gunshots by taking a pigeon and let him chase it through the yard while he was to busy chasing thew bird I would shoot. the sound of the gun was the last thing on his mind the bird was first.

www.gsponline2.tk

[Deleted by Admins]

I start conditioning them very early on. While they're eating, start by clapping your hands together. They may spook a little for a while, Just pet them and "good Doggy"but after a few times they forget about it. I'll bang some pots together next and again they may get a little scared at first but after a while, they don't even notice. Next step is field training. Start with a .22 or .410 something small and give treats and "good doggy" if they spook. Usually at this point they get excited not scared. I've done this with my beagles starting at 2-3 months and they LOVE GUNSHOTS!

Trushot }}------>

Guy's I'd really suggest that you get a few good books on training and learn how to break a pup to guns properly. I've read some hogwash & wivestales here to be sure.
My new pup was broke to shotguns by week 11 and stolling with my skeet squad by the end of week 14 and loving it. He was 18 weeks old at the outset of dove season and now at 24 weeks (6 months for those that can't do math) working on Grouse with 9 mallards ,3 woodies, & bufflehead to his credit between 22-23 weeks.
The only thing I insist on in the first year is to hunt by myself or with only one gun and directing all my energy to handleing the dog. I believe that first season sets the tone for the dog's entire life and don't want distractions to the task at hand for me or the pup.