The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-19
GUN SHY DOGS NEED
CAREFUL HANDLING
Fault Is Not Beyond Cure, but
Task Of Getting Rid Of It
Is n Hard One.
PUPPIES OFTEN ARE TIMID

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tain strains are occasionally discovered
to be gun shy II often is thought that
this fault IL congenital, but such IL not
the case. although the timidity which
leads TO gun shyness may be inherited.
This defect almost without exception Is
the result of too suddenly springing a
CUR upon n youngster OF a naturally
timid disposition. II we are to be guided
by old sporting literature gun shyness Is
n fault trainers OF dogs have had TO con-
tend with from time immemorial, but It
undoubtedly has been more prevalent of
late.
All gun shyness is the result of care
less handling and would never develop
were each puppy taken In hand with
due regard TO its peculiar temperament.
To ascertain IL 1t is likely to be gun shy
should be the first duty OF the trainer.
IND steps must be taken to eradicate
its fear before an attempt Is made TO
break the %youngster. Should gun shyness
on the part OF a dog not be discovered
until the training has made progress It
is a certain thing that all It has learned
will be lost before the fault a be cor
rected.
A gun shy dog is thought by some to
be incurable. but there is no bigger mis-
take than this, as the most obstinate
cases have been known 10 yield to proper
treatment. However, be0ore giving the
measures which should be taken to cure
a dog II will be wise to describe how to
prevent the development of such n de-
feet. Trainers are inclined TO despise a
| puppy which manifests n timid dispo-
sition. but this too is an error for the
shyest youngsters often become the best
workers.
with the Idea Of ascertainlng II a
~youngster is inclined to be gun shy IL Is
an excellent plan to put It In an opeE
yard and get a friend to fire a gun n
hundred yards or so away. Undecided
by the dog its owner should watch it's
actions on hearing the report. II the
dog rushes for shelter in AFFECT terror
or seeks 10 hide itself in a corner the
greatest care should be observed as re-
CARDS future procedure. on the other
hand should It display interest and seek
TO get n sight OF what Is going on the
firing may he brought nearer till at the
end OF ten days or so IL may take place
In the yard with the dog. II the young
ster exhibits alarm on hearing the re-
port its trainer should appear instantly,
soothe the dog. and give II n titbit to
eat. DO not fire again till the Incident
has been forgotten. and then let it oc-
cur at a greater distance. The sound
OF the gun should again he the signal
for the dogs owner To enter the kenne
and feed II and Il soon will be rppticed
that the dog will know that the sound
OF the gun Is connected with appear
ance OF food.
Then the gun may be used 10 announce
the feeding hour. ard 1t should be fired
each time nearer the kennel. Soon II will
be noticed that the dog does not display
the least fear. Another great step is
made by placing an old gun on the
ground and letting the dog inspect it
thoroughly in his own way this should
always be don't II II Is seen that the
dogs know that the gun Is the author
OF the dreaded report. Trainers often
turn a young dog that IS known TO be
gun shy into a kennel where there are
dogs that do not possess this defect. In
Ave cases out OF six the gun shy dog will
pick up courage quickly from his COM
panions,
However. as young dogs are impress
slonable fear Is contagious and care
must be taken that the actions OF the
scared dog do not affect the entire lot.
\ young dog should not be shut up by
himself during a heavy thunderstorm
as many dogs that have not been in the
least gun shy have been known to de-
velop that fault after being scared by
a hard thunderstorm. The company of
other dogs is welcome to a young dog
during a heavy storm. Never take a
dog that Is suspected of being gun shy
out with a large party or its distraction
will be increased by the presence OF
strange men and strange dogs and all
the turmoil inseparable from a big days
shooting Take the dog out alone or in
the company OF one steady old dog. the
example of which under fire SHOULD have
a beneficial effect upon the young dog.
fake Il a strict rule never 10 hit n
gun shy dog. but do everything to gain
his confidence. as affection for his mas
ter will go a long way toward enabling
the animal to master its fears. DO your
best to kill game for the dog and to let
Il see the game fall. and also avoid
double shots as they are certain 10 be
very dlsconcerting. Once a young dog
has begun 10 connect the report OF a
gun with the fall OF game and has had
an opportunity TO retrieve n great ad-
vantage will have been made. As before
remarked. whatever training has been
instilled into the dog must be sacrificed
with the intention of curing II OF gun
shyness, and liberties may be allowed
which would earn II many a thrashlng
under ordinary circumstances