Dogs, like humans, need rules and boundaries, so they know what to expect, what is acceptable and what is not. In the early months, this is vital. For example, if your puppy is not allowed on the sofa, then it is important to not allow it on the sofa. This…
Gundog training
How to train a spaniel puppy that lacks confidence
Gundog training: Tread carefully when training a spaniel puppy with a gentle temperament.
Paddling pools for working dogs: a useful way to introduce youngsters to water work
Like many, my dogs have small paddling pools for working dogs that I encourage puppies to explore and play in as much as possible. I use toys and even treats to help lure them in, then allow them to play with other puppies and dogs. While I love the sun…
Professional gundog training – when is it best to leave it to the experts?
There are many ways to train a dog. You can opt for professional gundog training but the most common is to train the dog yourself. This is a strongly supported and often preferred method, and it certainly has its merits. First, there is no greater feeling than taking your own…
The ‘leave it’ command – how to teach it to a young dog
There are some commands your gundog can be taught from an early age and will stay with him for the rest of his career. Sit, stay, heel, come are a few of the more common ones. But the ‘leave it’ command is the one that if you can condition your…
Can a show-bred dog really be a working dog too?
There’s one piece of advice for the would-be gundog owner in every book I have: if you want a puppy to bring on as a gundog, make sure you buy one from working stock. Show dogs to workers? It’s really such an obvious piece of advice that it hardly bears…
A shoot day is no place for an overexcited dog
Q: I own a rather excitable dog, an exuberant German shorthaired pointer (GSP) that I take beating on several driven shoots. He works well once the drives start and always gets compliments. However, my problems occur at the start of the day and in between drives. He has rather a…
How to train your gundog to hold a line
At a recent gundog training session, all of my dogs were running well, handling and stopping, hunting hard and generally being very pleasing. However, the ground was a little different to what they’re used to. The ground I was on was much more unforgiving. It had small gullies, ditches and…
Day-to-day gundog training
Day-to-day gundog training Lizzie, the young flatcoat, has gone home for a little break. She is now one year old and coming on a treat, but she needs time to just grow up. It is easy to push a young dog too hard too fast so they become overwhelmed and…
How to teach your gundog to walk at heel
I’m training a seven-month-old gundog and I cannot make him walk to heel without constantly pulling on the lead. Can you suggest anything?
Why ‘play-training’ is crucial for gundog puppies
Tony reveals how 'play time' is an essential part of a gun dog's training.
How can I ensure my puppy bonds with my old gun dog?
I'm worried my 10-year-old spaniel won't take to the new puppy I've just bought. What problems do you think I may encounter?
Training your young gundog – from dummies to game
Most, if not all, of your early gundog training will be using tennis or fur balls and canvas dummies. But at some point you will have to give your young dog the opportunity to pick cold game. This can be fur or feather but, whatever you decide to use, make…
Training gundogs during COVID
It might seem like I have plenty of time to plan, lots of equipment and endless ground to train on. While I am lucky to have access to more ground, and I do own dummy-launchers, remote launchers, remote ball-droppers and most shape dummies, I have limited time. Much of my…
How to train a young gundog to be disciplined in company
Gundog training together Anyone who works or trains gundogs will tell you that they are addictive. Once you have one you will want another, and this will be the case most especially if you want to go picking up. In fact, many shoots will insist that if you aspire to…
How can we tell a Gun that his dog isn’t welcome at our shoot?
Q: How do I ask one of our Guns, who has been a member of our syndicate for the past 10 years, not to bring his dog, without upsetting him? His dog barks, whines, starts fights, pinches food at lunch and is universally disliked. I know that he will take…
My Labrador doesn’t like going into water. What can I do?
Q: I have a two-year-old Labrador bitch that is shy of going into water. What do you suggest I do to help her overcome this fear? Labradors and water A: It’s unusual for a Labrador to be reluctant to go into water, though it is not unheard of. Unless it…
“The stop whistle is the brake on your dog and it needs to respond immediately”
An issue that causes novice trainers sleepless nights is stop whistle training. Get it right and you will have a high degree of control over even the hardest to manage dog. Get it wrong and it may not only cause momentary embarrassment but could result in you not being asked…
How to cure firework fear in dogs
Find out how you can train your dog to stop being scared of fireworks and loud bangs
Is gundog boarding school worth it?
Q: A friend recently sent away his young springer bitch for some basic training at a gundog boarding school. It was the first time he has done this —previously he has trained his shooting dogs himself. During the time the bitch was away, he heard little from the trainer and…