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by Northeast Malinois on 28 February 2012 - 14:02
Hello, What's the best way to introduce a Belgian Malinois to gun fire while training for BH-Obedience.
She is 18 months old and has the BH-Obedience Heeling pattern down. But, can anyone advise me on how to introduce gun fire? I heard start with a air horn?
She is 18 months old and has the BH-Obedience Heeling pattern down. But, can anyone advise me on how to introduce gun fire? I heard start with a air horn?
by Judy P on 28 February 2012 - 15:02
We start puppies very young with a CD which has a lot of different sounds including gun fire, sirens and so forth. They go out on the field in a puppy pen and are exposed to the noises of training including gunfire.
by Slamdunc on 28 February 2012 - 15:02
Start from a distance, decrease the distance as you are heeling or even playing with the dog. Watch the dog's reaction it should be neutral or alert, not aggressive or nervous. The gunfire is really not a big deal with a dog with decent nerves. I just would not start close too the dog and I would introduce it over a few sessions if you are concerned.
Jim
Jim
by Tim Connell on 28 February 2012 - 22:02
I train neutrality to gunfire like this:
As a pup, or young dog, I take them to the range and park the car at a distance, windows closed. They become acclimated pretty quickly to the gunfire. Next, I take them out and play ball, or do some light OB at a distance. I keep it all fun, and don't pay any attention to the gunfire in the background.
Then, I move the vehicle a bit closer, with every session. I leave the windows up, or partially up, which muffles the sound a bit. Repeat as necessary: every dog is different, so their progression is very individual as well. I have had great luck with this method. I like a dog that is gunfire neutral. If the dog hears it, and glances toward it, then refocuses, I personally don't see that as faulty...maybe for strictly a sport dog there are point deduction issues, but I prefer a dog that is attentive to it's environment, so I don't personally have a big issue with it, though some may disagree.
I have considered using the gundog training CD's, and if anyone should know about gunfire issues, it should be the gundog people. I think it's important to steal....errrr...."borrow" every tool we can from other venues...maybe it will be very valid for the working dog crowd as well. Since not everyone has the ability to be near a range with any frequency, this might be a viable option.
Tim Connell
www.vandesterke.com
As a pup, or young dog, I take them to the range and park the car at a distance, windows closed. They become acclimated pretty quickly to the gunfire. Next, I take them out and play ball, or do some light OB at a distance. I keep it all fun, and don't pay any attention to the gunfire in the background.
Then, I move the vehicle a bit closer, with every session. I leave the windows up, or partially up, which muffles the sound a bit. Repeat as necessary: every dog is different, so their progression is very individual as well. I have had great luck with this method. I like a dog that is gunfire neutral. If the dog hears it, and glances toward it, then refocuses, I personally don't see that as faulty...maybe for strictly a sport dog there are point deduction issues, but I prefer a dog that is attentive to it's environment, so I don't personally have a big issue with it, though some may disagree.
I have considered using the gundog training CD's, and if anyone should know about gunfire issues, it should be the gundog people. I think it's important to steal....errrr...."borrow" every tool we can from other venues...maybe it will be very valid for the working dog crowd as well. Since not everyone has the ability to be near a range with any frequency, this might be a viable option.
Tim Connell
www.vandesterke.com
by Northeast Malinois on 01 March 2012 - 14:03
Thanks everyone for the great advice!!!
by V L A on 10 March 2012 - 02:03
Wow, All great tips, always great to learn new tricks! I am Glad I read this post!
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