Gun Training Plan for a GSP

1. Build Prey Drive First (Very Important)

Before introducing gunfire, make sure your GSP is:

• Super excited about birds, wings, or retrieving

• Confident outdoors

• Showing strong pointing or chase instincts

A GSP with high drive will naturally ignore noise once they associate it with birds.

2. Start With Fun → Add Sound Later

With your dog chasing a wing, quail, pigeons, or even a bumper:

• Let them run and get fully focused

• While they’re excited, have someone far away (150–200 yards) make small claps or light pops

• Completely ignore the noise — act like nothing happened

Goal: Dog is too busy having fun to care.

3. Introduce a .22 Blank Pistol at Distance

A GSP responds great to this progression:

Session 1–3

• Helper stands 100–150 yards away with a blank pistol

• Dog is chasing a bumper or live pigeon

• Fire ONE blank while the dog is running

If the dog doesn’t even look, move a little closer next session.

If the dog pauses or looks uneasy:

Go back to more distance and more excitement. Never punish or comfort — just keep it fun.

4. Move the Blank Pistol Closer

Over several days:

• 150 yards

• 100 yards

• 50 yards

• 20 yards

• 10 yards

Always fire during excitement — not while the dog is standing still.

5. Switch to a Shotgun (Light Load)

Once the blank pistol is no issue:

1. Start 100 yards away with a 20-gauge or light 12-gauge load.

2. Dog is chasing a clipped-wing pigeon or running a bumper retrieve.

3. Fire once while they’re focused.

Work closer over additional sessions until you can shoot right as the dog finds or chases a bird.

6. Introduce Gunfire During a Bird Flush

GSPs learn fast when you pair noise with birds.

• Plant a pigeon or quail

• Let the dog point

• When the bird flushes and dog chases → fire a shot

• Dog will associate gunfire with flying birds (which they love)

This step makes most GSPs gun-solid for life.

7. First Hunts Should Be Organized

Avoid chaotic opening days with 20 shooters blasting.

Choose:

• A quiet field

• Only one gun

• Light shooting

• Lots of bird opportunities

Keep the experience exciting and positive.

⭐ 4-Week Gun Training Plan for a GSP

WEEK 1 — Build Drive & Introduce Soft, Distant Noise

Goal:

Dog becomes so excited about birds/retrieving that soft distant sound is totally ignored.

Daily Exercises:

Day 1–2:

• Let the dog chase a wing, bumper, or live pigeon.

• Have a helper 150–200 yards away clap wooden boards or tap two rocks together.

• Only ONE sound at a time.

• Ignore the noise completely — act like it didn’t happen.

Day 3–5:

• When the dog is fully focused and excited, have the helper make the sound from 100 yards.

Day 6–7:

• Work down to 75–100 yards.

• Increase excitement: faster retrieves, birds, something the dog LOVES.

Signs You’re Ready for Week 2:
✔ Your GSP never flinches
✔ Stays focused on birds/bumper
✔ Tail stays high and wagging

WEEK 2 — Introduce the Blank Pistol (Distant Shots)

Goal:

Dog hears small-gun pops from a distance and stays excited.

Daily Exercises:

Day 1–2:

• Have a helper 120–150 yards away with a .22 blank pistol.

• While the dog is chasing a bumper or bird → helper fires ONE shot.

• Only one shot per retrieve.

Day 3–4:

• Move to 100 yards if the dog has zero reaction.

Day 5–7:

• Move progressively to 75 yards, then 50 yards.

• Always shoot ONLY when the dog is excited and in motion.

If the dog pauses or looks unsure:
⬆️ Increase distance
⬇️ Increase excitement
❗ Never comfort or “poor baby” them
❗ Never shoot again that day

WEEK 3 — Bring the Blank Pistol Close + Start Bird Flushes

Goal:

Dog associates gunfire with birds flying — the most powerful conditioning for a GSP.

Daily Exercises:

Day 1–2:

• Blank pistol at 30–40 yards during retrieves.

Day 3–4:

• Blank pistol at 15–20 yards.

Day 5–7:

• Plant a pigeon or quail

• Dog points → you flush the bird

• When bird flushes and dog begins chase → fire ONE blank

This step locks in the mental link:
🔥 Gun = Birds = FUN

Most GSPs become totally gun-solid here.

WEEK 4 — Shotgun Introduction + Controlled Hunts

Goal:

Dog stays confident around actual hunting gunfire.

Daily Exercises:

Day 1–2:

• Helper stands 75–100 yards away with a 20-gauge or light 12-gauge load.

• Dog is chasing a bird or bumper → fire ONE shot.

Day 3–4:

• Move to 50 yards.

Day 5–7:

• Plant birds again.

• Dog points → flush → as bird flies, shoot once.

• Keep excitement high and minimize pressure.

After Week 4 — Real Hunting Time

Choose:

• A quiet field

• One shooter

• Few shots

• Lots of birds

• Calm, positive environment

Avoid big “all-day every-gun-blasting” hunts for the first few times.