What gundog training do you recommend over summer?

Summer training classes are of benefit to both gundog and owner.

By Mark Whitehouse

Tuesday, 28 July 2009

I have been training a young gundog and things seem to be coming together well, both socially and with all the basic training mastered.

However, I don’t know what to do to continue my training further, in particular to advance his hunting and retrieving skills over the summer months. The shooting season came to an end all too quicky. What do you advise?

MARK WHITEHOUSE SAYS: The gap between the end of one season and the beginning of the next is a very big one in a young gun dog’s training calendar.

However, all is not lost; there are plenty of clubs around the country that run training classes.

These classes usually start at the weekends and as the nights pull out they are extended to evenings during the week.

At these classes there are usually a number of committee members and helpers that have experience in the field of training gun dogs.

Your gun dog will have a great opportunity to meet different people and gun dogs at different levels of training, and this will develop both you and your dog together.

These classes are usually split into three groups: novice, intermediate and advanced.

Novice classes will basically involve foundation training such as sit, stay and walk at heel.

Intermediate classes will involve training such as basic retrieving and short handling exercises.

Advanced classes will involve teaching your gun dog to hunt and quarter its ground, introduction to gun shot and more advanced handling and retrieving exercises.

Such classes would help your gun dog to progress ready for the forthcoming season.

For more gun dog training advice click here