First shoot

[MUDDYBOOTS]

Hopefully,work permitting,I will be taking Benson on his ( and mine ) first shoot on the 6th November and I am quite exited but I haven't got a clue what to expect.
Its going to be a walked up pheasant shoot whatever that is  .I think its were you flush your own pheasants as opposed to driving them towards the guns.

 Is there anything I can do in the coming weeks to prepair Benson for the day,preparing him for gunfire for example,and has anyone got any tips as to what I might expect or things I should or should not do.

[Nicola]

As this is both your first times on a shoot I'd recommend you go by yourself (i.e. dogless) for the first day so you can watch the other beaters and dogs and have a better idea of what to expect and how it works. If you do bring Benson along do the first half of the day yourself and then bring him out for the afternoon, follow as an observer at first so he can get used to the sights, sounds etc. - keep him on lead unless you can be absolutely certain he'll stay in very close control - and then maybe let him hunt a little bit and have a retrieve or two on the second drive if you think that he's handling the situation ok. If he's not been exposed to gunfire or the situation of a shoot with other dogs hunting, birds flying up, guns going off etc. it can be quite overwhelming/overstimulating and the last thing you want is for him to either find it too much or else go mad with the excitement.

On a walked up shoot the guns will walk along and shoot as they go so you need to be watchful that you don't get in the way. Some of the guns may well have their own flushing/retrieving dogs as well to pick up their own birds. It's generally less formal than a driven shoot, hope you really enjoy it

[Cath]

Well I hope you both have a great time and really enjoy yourselves 

I would go with Nic's suggestion; either go yourself for the day or half day then take Benson in the afternoon and see how he copes with his new environment. Better to go steady for the first few shoots 

[MUDDYBOOTS]

Thank you .  Its a very informal shoot organized by the gundog club that I belong to and as much a training day as anything else so I will probably take Benson along,keep him on his lead,and make sure things don't get to much for him.His trainer knows what hes like and you definitely couldn't shoot over him yet but hopefully we will get some quartering practice at some stage.

Just wondered if there is anything I should be doing to prepair him for gunfire,and I assume I just give him his normal breakfast before we set off in the mourning.

[spanielcrazy]

Just wondered if there is anything I should be doing to prepair him for gunfire,and I assume I just give him his normal breakfast before we set off in the mourning.

If he's not been exposed to it before, I would trail well behind so that the gunfire sounds are distant. When you hear a shot, toss a dummy and give your retrieve command; you want him to associate the sound of shots with fun, wonderful things happening. If he seems to be handling it ok then slowly work your way closer in small increments, toward louder guns. If at any time he seems anxious about the shots, move back to the distance where he was comfortable. Be very careful of how you introduce guns, you can ruin a dog easily at this stage 

Feed him about 1/2 to 2/3 of his normal breakfast and carry plenty of protein snacks and water.



Here are a couple of articles:

http://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/proper-introduction-to-birds-and-gunfire-Page1.htm

http://spanieljournal.com/4pkadlec.html

http://www.gundogmag.com/training/GD_problemsspaniels_0810/index.html

http://www.gundogsupply.com/sws-gun-shy.html

http://www.northernflight.com/gunshyness.htm

[MUDDYBOOTS]

Thank you thats very helpfull

[rubyduby]

Sorry but I cannot grasp the pleasure of the hunt/shoot, my dogs have a whale of a time chasing pheasant deer etc etc, sadly I actually get great pleasure when these creatures get away (as they always do) maybe someone can tell me how they derive pleasure from ending the life of the most innocent of creatures..........

[Black Red + Yellow]

Sorry but I cannot grasp the pleasure of the hunt/shoot, my dogs have a whale of a time chasing pheasant deer etc etc, sadly I actually get great pleasure when these creatures get away (as they always do) maybe someone can tell me how they derive pleasure from ending the life of the most innocent of creatures..........

That is obviously your opinion and those of us that work our dogs are entitled to ours.

We actually never let our dogs chase deer or pheasants etc etc...they are there to flush them only, once flushed, they are not permitted to give chase, known as 'running in'.   

[Sarah1985]

Sorry but I cannot grasp the pleasure of the hunt/shoot, my dogs have a whale of a time chasing pheasant deer etc etc, sadly I actually get great pleasure when these creatures get away (as they always do) maybe someone can tell me how they derive pleasure from ending the life of the most innocent of creatures..........

I take it your a veggie then?

I personally dont agree with pestering wildlife as its just mindless teasing. At least on a shoot the bird is being flushed for its meat.

[Nicola]

Sorry but I cannot grasp the pleasure of the hunt/shoot, my dogs have a whale of a time chasing pheasant deer etc etc, sadly I actually get great pleasure when these creatures get away (as they always do) maybe someone can tell me how they derive pleasure from ending the life of the most innocent of creatures..........

I take it your a veggie then?

I personally dont agree with pestering wildlife as its just mindless teasing. At least on a shoot the bird is being flushed for its meat.

I agree. Letting your dog chase deer and pheasants for extended periods is going to be just as stressful for them, if not more, than being flushed under controlled conditions and then dispatched quickly on a shoot. I wouldn't dream of letting my dogs disturb and chase wildlife willy-nilly. With regards to shooting itself if it wasn't for people having developed and bred dogs for shooting game the Cocker breed wouldn't actually exist.

With my Mod hat on if you have strong moral objections to shooting I'd suggest you avoid reading threads on this board given that it's specifically geared towards working dogs.

[JohnW]

Sorry but I cannot grasp the pleasure of the hunt/shoot, my dogs have a whale of a time chasing pheasant deer etc etc, sadly I actually get great pleasure when these creatures get away (as they always do) maybe someone can tell me how they derive pleasure from ending the life of the most innocent of creatures..........

I take it your a veggie then?

I personally dont agree with pestering wildlife as its just mindless teasing. At least on a shoot the bird is being flushed for its meat.

I agree. Letting your dog chase deer and pheasants for extended periods is going to be just as stressful for them, if not more, than being flushed under controlled conditions and then dispatched quickly on a shoot. I wouldn't dream of letting my dogs disturb and chase wildlife willy-nilly. With regards to shooting itself if it wasn't for people having developed and bred dogs for shooting game the Cocker breed wouldn't actually exist.

With my Mod hat on if you have strong moral objections to shooting I'd suggest you avoid reading threads on this board given that it's specifically geared towards working dogs.

here!! here!! 

[Cath]

Muddyboots have you been on your shoot yet? I was looking forward to hearing how Benson got on  
Do let us know 

[rubyduby]

Yes I totally agree, I actually came on this site purely by accident ..sadly, and yes I am a Veggie, but that makes no difference, many people eat meat that is killed for food, not pursued for 'pleasure'.

I will avoid this site