Man I screwed up... need some advice

[Deadeye]

Here's the skinny. Got a new dog, german shorthair, she's 1 year old. Retrieving machine! Couple weeks ago, I shot my 22 while she was on a retrieve and it didn't seem to bother her. I also shot a 20 guage while on retrieve. Again, no big deal..
So I take her to dove field and when everyone starting shooting, she got extremely skiddish and wanted nothing to do with it.
I'm affraid I've scared her for life. How do I build her confidence and get her back to the field?

Dead

[southernmallard]

PM Trykon

He's a gun shy dog whisperer.

[MudHog]

you may have more luck posting in the "Gun Dog Forum". Lots of guy/gals on there have many years experience in dog training.

[kb7722]

I would not worry just yet. Just keep her excited about receiving. Then slowing start introducing gun fire during controlled training environments. She will start to associate gun fire with retrieving and not think twice about. I pull the gun out now and my dog starts bouncing off the wall b/c she knows it means she might get to retrieve something.

[Take 'em]

From my experience, keep her around you and your gun for a little while (taking her hunting with only you shooting) and gradually add to it. Take a buddy and let him shoot why you work the dog then eventually both of y'all shoot. Then add more. Numerous guns going off can confuse a young dog (first hunt dogs). Seen it happen to many times. Just my .02

[Dux Be Us]

I broke a VERY gun shy Irish Setter with a cap gun at feeding time back in the day. Then cap gun with a bumper. Good luck

[bmaskew04]

I would not worry just yet. Just keep her excited about receiving. Then slowing start introducing gun fire during controlled training environments. She will start to associate gun fire with retrieving and not think twice about. I pull the gun out now and my dog starts bouncing off the wall b/c she knows it means she might get to retrieve something.

+1

[RLJames]

I took my 7 month old lab last year on opening day with six guys shooting bad ideas she spent the morning under my feet. I took her later with just me and she did fine and is good to go now.

[sondance]

Bang a pie pan when you feed her. Then move up to a cap gun, then 22, then small shotgun. Do it everytime until she gets over it. Just make sure she starts to understand when she hears a loud noise something good is about to happen. Dog probably isn't gun shy just got freaked at a dove hunt. I get freaked at dove hunts myself not knowing who may shoot where

[Double R 2]

Young bird dog was just overhwhelmed by it all. Take it back to basics. She'll get used to it all as she gains confidence with experience.

We hunted over GSPs in South Africa last month - pointed francolins and guiniea fowl; water retrieves for ducks; dry land marks for pass-shot spur-winged and Egyptian geese, doves and pigeons. Great versatile breed.