Problem: Gun shyness. It is common for young hunting dogs to develop a fear of the sound of gunfire. These dogs, useless to hunters, are often abandoned or euthanized. I developed “Orion,” a toy, fun for both hunter and puppy, to prevent gun shyness. It’s a gun that throws a toy, or even a dead bird, while making a gunshot noise, the volume of which can be adjusted.
RESEARCH
I talked to hunting-dog owners, hunters, trainers, hunting-dog rescue leagues, gunsmiths and hunting-bow makers. I learned about current training techniques, which all tried to replicate the hunting experience, with varying degrees of easiness and success.
SKETCHES
PROTOTYPE
Slingshot technology, launched via a trigger mechanism, was easy to load and fire.
TESTING
The Orion was popular with all types of dogs.
SKETCHES
MODEL
I first made a foam model and then one out of wood, with gun-like detailing.
BUILDING
HAVE A NICE DAY!
STORY
Hi my name is Orion
I was abandoned
I was found by my owner
I point at everything
I bring my owner presents
I dream of becoming a great hunting dog
But I don’t like loud noises
So my owner brought this home
At first, I didn't like the noise but I saw the toy
I loved it! Didn't even notice when the volume went up
