I thought I would pass along a little bit of info I learned while raising Blue and reading Game Dog. Right now is when you need to be getting your dogs used to loud noises so they arent gun shy when hunting season comes around. I started Blue and my pup the same way, during feeding time I would take some pots and pans and bang them around while the pup is eating, this gets them used to loud noises and it shouldnt bother them because they are eating. I eventually started shooting my muzzleloader cap off in the house, and then took them wih me when I went shooting. I havent had a problem with a gun shy dog yet.