deb_l222
Well-Known Member
and has suddenly become scared of guns - really scared and for no obvious reason.
He's not a working dog so it won't put an end to his career or anything daft like that but it is spoiling our walks and I just wondered if anyone had come across anything similar.
He's lived with me for six years now and never before batted an eyelash at gunshots or fireworks for that matter but then three days ago there was a sudden increase in gun activity in the local woods and he's turned into a nervous wreck out walking. It won't be an organised shoot, more like some wannabe Bear Grylls type person or persons taking pot shots at the local wildlife but that's not uncommon round these parts, so he's heard it all before.
My approach at the moment is just to ignore this behaviour, in the hope that he will come good in his own time but I've had to put a lead on him a couple of times to stop him bolting for home (this is totally out of character for him).
In the past we have literally had idiots with guns shooting almost right next to us and he's never turned a hair, so why now? Going to take the tennis ball out for a walk with us tonight and see if that will distract him.
He's eight years old now, in fabulous health, can hear perfectly and has walked in these same woods all the time he's lived with me. Oh yes, he's a springer spaniel (nearly forgot that bit).
Any help would be appreciated as it's not nice seeing him like this.
He's not a working dog so it won't put an end to his career or anything daft like that but it is spoiling our walks and I just wondered if anyone had come across anything similar.
He's lived with me for six years now and never before batted an eyelash at gunshots or fireworks for that matter but then three days ago there was a sudden increase in gun activity in the local woods and he's turned into a nervous wreck out walking. It won't be an organised shoot, more like some wannabe Bear Grylls type person or persons taking pot shots at the local wildlife but that's not uncommon round these parts, so he's heard it all before.
My approach at the moment is just to ignore this behaviour, in the hope that he will come good in his own time but I've had to put a lead on him a couple of times to stop him bolting for home (this is totally out of character for him).
In the past we have literally had idiots with guns shooting almost right next to us and he's never turned a hair, so why now? Going to take the tennis ball out for a walk with us tonight and see if that will distract him.
He's eight years old now, in fabulous health, can hear perfectly and has walked in these same woods all the time he's lived with me. Oh yes, he's a springer spaniel (nearly forgot that bit).
Any help would be appreciated as it's not nice seeing him like this.