Steady with Style

This article was developed from the book, The Brittany: Amateurs Training with Professionals by Martha Greenlee and David Webb.  The 2nd edition is now available from Glade Run Press.  Check it out; it is an excellent read for all levels and all breeds!

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By Martha Greenlee

Introducing gunfire is a big deal and something you really want to take the time to do right. Hunters have more problems with gunfire than field trialers because hunters use shotguns not blank pistols. Mix in the excitement of birds flushing wild and one or more hunters shooting when the dog isn’t expecting it, and you have a recipe for disaster. Think about how loud noises can startle you, and you can imagine what it is like for your dog. If you or your buddies are behind the dog and shoot, your dog isn’t expecting it. Even the most seasoned dog can become gun-shy. So, please be careful. It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to gunfire. You can always find another bird. 

Introducing Gun Fire (part 1)

(from The Brittany: Amateurs Training with Professionals)
By Martha H. Greenlee and David A. Webb copyright ©

Introduce gunfire to a Brittany puppy when he is at least 5 months old. Take your time with this lesson and pay close attention to his initial response. When done correctly, a pup should ignore the noise. If your pup stops, changes his gait, or turns his head during the introduction, he’s telling you he’s not ready. Back off and give him some time to mature before continuing. Most gun-shy dogs are man-made. While some pups may be more noise sensitive than others, a noise sensitive pup can learn to enjoy gunfire if he is properly introduced.  

The professionals we work with introduce gunfire in a couple of different ways. Gene Stewart likes to introduce it away from birds. This is the safest method and we recommend it to anyone who is a beginning trainer. Bill Gibbons introduces gunfire around birds―when the pup makes a dive at a bird he is chasing. More experienced trainers may prefer this method. Both use a .22 caliber blank pistol but a cap gun also works. 

Gene Stewart likes to introduce gunfire while the pup is running in the field. When the pup is about 5 months old, Gene starts taking him for runs afield. Once he is confident running on different grounds, Gene fires a blank gun when the pup is about 50 yards ahead. He watches to see if the pup stops or changes his gait. If he does, Gene turns and goes a different direction, ignoring him. The pup quickly forgets about the noise and runs to catch-up. If the pup does this, he’s telling Gene he’s not ready. Gene gives him a little time off, maybe a week, before trying again. Once the pup is ignoring the gunfire, Gene will fire closer.

Now, Gene is ready to introduce gunfire around birds. He does this while the pup is looking for the bird. Gene puts out a couple of quail along a tree line as if he were introducing the pup to birds. As the pup hunts the tree line, Gene waits for him to flush a bird and chase it. When the pup chases the bird and it lands again, he gets excited. He’s racing around trying to find the bird, but he doesn’t know exactly where it is. At this time Gene shoots. The pup knows the bird is there, but he doesn’t see or smell it.

In part 2 of this article, Martha describes the way Bill Gibbons introduces gun fire, and she also shares a few  do and don’t tips.  Stay tuned! Or sign up for email posts (by filling in the form to the right sidebar of the website) if you want to receive the next segment in your email box!