Oh no why what has happened? I imagine it depends what happened to make the dog gunshy....unfortunatley (and probably not what you want to hear) my OH believes a dog which is naturally gunshy will never come around. I imagine it also does depend on the plans for the dog - a 500 bird shoot and a gunshy peg dog is probably not going to happen....a quieter shoot as a picker up, well who knows.....
Helen, I have no expertise as you know, but is it definitely gun shy?
I only ask as in one training video the presenter stated that a lot of dogs are misdiagnosed as gun shy - when in fact sometimes it's the sudden overhead movement of a gun swinging for example, that can cause them to appear gun shy, rather than the sound of the gun fire itself.
You've likely got good reason for your diagnosis, I just thought I'd throw this in as it's all I've got to offer.
I only ask as in one training video the presenter stated that a lot of dogs are misdiagnosed as gun shy - when in fact sometimes it's the sudden overhead movement of a gun swinging for example, that can cause them to appear gun shy, rather than the sound of the gun fire itself.
P.S. interesting point, well worth considering, would not be too hard to test out.
Sometimes possible to over come this problem but it firstly depends on what caused the issue and secondly the character of the dog thridly how much effeort the owner is willing to put in ( it can take a lng time !)
Thanks everyone. He's a staffy. He is a brilliant little retriever, for a terrier. Loads of drive. Awesome recall. He is also excellent in cover. Has done a season of dogging in pheasants and enjoys that lots. Has brought me cold game (partridge) to hand and NOT eaten/chewed it! Would dearly love to beat with him on a small, informal shoot, and if it wasn't for the gun problem I think not only would he enjoy this hugely but would be quite good.
OK, like the thoughts on the gun as opposed to the noise, never ever thought about that, and as has been mentioned, really easy to test but it's definately the noise, definately. He came out on a stir up day of ours last Season and was thrilled to be out with everyone. Loved all he met, even those carrying and handling guns. Then as soon as someone fired the trigger he was beside himself, and that was from some distance away. I tried to jolly him along but he got steadilly worse and the walk back to the car to take him home was really hard as he was literally clamped to my leg.
Hands up it is entirely my fault. I didn't have him from a pup, so am missing a year or more of his background. The thing is he has been such a bomb proof dog that it never occured to me he wouldn't be anything but OK. In reality, I should've done some 'research' before taking him out, even on such a quiet day and even though we were some distance away from those occasional shots.
Since then he can hear a shot half a mile away and quake with fear - he is REALLY bad. He doesn't though seem to associate it with a gun, as get one out to go shooting etc and he's fine with that.
Molly, Zensmum, anyone, any ideas? I can do 'long term', or do I just have to finally let this go for his sake
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Oh dear, not liking what your OH says Celine 
thridly how much effeort the owner is willing to put in ( it can take a lng time !)
