sean925 2 Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 Just wondering if any of you break your running dogs to the shotgun.I have a whippet bitch which is 16 months and as the ferreting is stopped now for a while take her bushing .when bushing all sorts of stuff pops it's head up or takes flight . So was thinking of breaking her to the gun over the summer months for something to stimulate her plus would be really handy. Was going to start with a starting pistol.Any comments or suggestions welcome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bird 10,014 Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 Just wondering if any of you break your running dogs to the shotgun.I have a whippet bitch which is 16 months and as the ferreting is stopped now for a while take her bushing .when bushing all sorts of stuff pops it's head up or takes flight . So was thinking of breaking her to the gun over the summer months for something to stimulate her plus would be really handy. Was going to start with a starting pistol.Any comments or suggestions welcome. Try a (spring) air rifle 1st, make the dog sit walk away 10yds the fire the gun. Just build up then get abit closer, if ok then you could try 12g. But start longer distance 20-25yds, if ok just keep doing this till you think the dog is happy with this might take a week or more, if so try bit closer. But all dogs will be differnt to a loud noise, some more so running dogs some might not (ever) like it. Bryn my 1x collie grey , is brill with my 12g . When i shoot he will just stand still, and only move to see if i have killed my quarry. He loves it if i shoot tree rats, he marks them when they drop after 1 here Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sean925 2 Posted March 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 Think I'll try the .22 air rifle first it's spring and about 18-20 ftlbs.Maybe even a few shot and retrieved bunnies to make it interesting. I have .22 starting pistol for shooting blanks for training springers may move onto that before the 12 g just to get her use to live rounds. Not wat I got the whippet for but no point in restricting the dog to ferrets and lamp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
watchman 256 Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 always get mine broke to the gun mate usually the 410 first from a good distance although firework night always seems to fall when i have a pup around the place so good starting point if you ask me,after a while depending on the dogs reaction move up to the 12bore,gun shot and warm game seem to go hand in hand for a youngster starting out and so far iv never had a problem,he says what i will say is that its quite nice to see the dog getting exited as soon as it sees the gun coming out the case,all about association Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graham4877 1,181 Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 take dummie and .22 blank! play with dummy and set the blank off! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ideation 8,217 Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 Get someone else with you, its much easier. Someone holds and reassures/calms the dog and the other fires a shotgun at a distance, moving closer. All dogs should be broken to the gun - less hassle them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jacksbignose 8 Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 Mine are always broken to the gun and lots of good advice above re. starting with air rifle and/or starter, friend, distance then closing etc. Once the dog has it sussed that there's sport in it for him/her then they usually wise up. Shame my old dog would happily act as a retriever for shot birds but present old girl is happy to run out and hold pricked birds but not that fussed about retrieving... mind with her at least it saves chasing a lively pricked bird! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sean925 2 Posted March 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 Aye think al take the air rifle and .22 blanks out bushing next week end and when she hits scent and starts hunting fire a few air pellets to start with and then move on to blanks keeping close to bitch all the time to reasure her will get my hunting partner to fire shots at a distance and build from there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bosun11 537 Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 I do all of the above, I also encourage 'em as pups to play with balloons with a little air in 'em and increase the air as the pup gets older. They usually end up bomb proof. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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