Gundog Training for Sound Conditioning

What is sound conditioning training and why should I do it?

It’s teaching your pup that noise is just noise.  Sound conditioning is a very important part of hunting dog training.  The concept of taking an 8 week old puppy to a shooting range to “see if he’s gun shy” is just plain nuts.  Should we take a toddler out and do the same?  Of course not!  The goal of properly sound conditioning your gundog is to teach him that there are all kinds of sounds in the world, and they aren’t any big deal.  Noise is just noise, it’s the same principal as exposing your bird dog to all kinds of events, people, and environments so that you end up with a very well socialized dog.  This basic training should be done for all dogs, not only hunting dogs.  Have you ever known anyone that lived close to a highway or train track?  At first it probably bothered them a little, and then over time they learned to “tune out” the noise to the point they didn’t even notice it anymore.  That’s the goal, to get pup to the “tune out” stage so he can focus on the task at hand.

How do I sound condition my pup?

There are many ways to train sound conditioning.  The main thing is that it’s done in a safe, comfortable environment for the pup.  I like to do sound conditioning in the kennel, crate, or yard.  Somewhere that the pup already feels safe will minimize the risk of making any unwanted negative associations.  While I am present during the initial stages to reassure pup everything’s ok, the most productive training is done when I’m not there.  PointerSupply.com sells a Sound Conditioning CD for Dog Training that has 200 random sounds and it has everything from sleigh bells to shotguns on it.  Training is as easy as hitting play on your CD player at a low volume while pup is in his kennel and you’re on your way out the door.  Turning the volume up over time, and pretty soon noise is just noise.  If your bird dog resides in a kennel with a concrete floor, hang a metal trash can lid by the handle an inch off the concrete with heavy wire.  As your bird dog is running around he’ll step on it and “bang-clang” he makes his own noise, he self trains.  A few months of this and you’ll end up with a pup that fears no sound, because noise is just noise.

Sound conditioning is one of the most important puppy training tips I can give you for gun dog training. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing pointing dog training or retriever dog training, if you’re training hunting dogs you need to include sound conditioning in your routine so your bird dogs aren’t gun shy.

Dream up your own self training situations, the possibilities are limitless, and so are the rewards…..  For more great dog training online tips check out our other free gundog training tips on our blog at www.pointersupply.wordpress.com.

PointerSupply.com carries a full line of gun dog training supplies including electronic training collars, training dummies, dummy launchers, bird scents, and many more bird dog training supplies and upland clothing and apparel to help you and your pup have more fun in the field.  In addition, we offer professional bird dog training, as well as Guided Wild Iowa Pheasant Hunts.  Please check out our other upland hunting product reviews as well as our free online dog training tips for your bird dog. 

Thanks, and remember to involve kids in bird dog training, upland hunting, and the wonders of nature! 

Dave Kruse – The Pointer Supply Guy    

davidk@pointersupply.com