: Have an assistant fire a light load from a distance only when the dog is in full pursuit of a bird. The excitement of the chase often masks the fear of the noise. Gradual Progression : Start with hand claps or banging blocks. Move to .22 acorn crimps (very quiet).

: If your dog shows fear (cowering, trembling, or running away), stop all shooting immediately . Pushing them further can cause permanent trauma.

: Remove the gun from the routine entirely for several weeks. Focus on building "prey drive"—getting them excited about birds or their favorite toys.

: Pair the sound of a gun with something the dog loves.

Gun shyness in dogs is often a result of improper introduction to loud noises. It can be prevented or fixed through gradual desensitization.

: Fire a very low-volume noise (like a cap gun or a starter pistol) from at least 100 yards away while the dog eats.