Gundog Training

I started working Springers nearly 20 years ago on a very well run shoot in Cheshire, in the beating line on tough terrain. I have had hard dogs, soft dogs, weak dogs and bulldozers - and with each one you learn an awful lot. Some have remained until retirement, and many have provided a new owner with a useful and dependable dog to enjoy.

I competed in Gundog Scurries at game fairs for fun, and was very successful with both Springers and Labs. I have trained people to successfully compete in Working Tests, helped prepare others for Trials, and often work with competitive handlers to trouble-shoot problem areas.

My main area of expertise is not the trialling or professional team, but the dog that will get a few days out in the season and has to fit into everyday life for the rest of the year. The part-time gundog should be both a well mannered family pet and an added enjoyment to a day in the field, and this is easily achievable if the correct processes are in place and the owner's effort is structured well.

After moving to North Wales in 2015, I ran a small private shoot emphasising habitat and conservation management along with the utilisation of wild food, and managed a team of up to 25 novice beaters and pickers-up - many of which had entered the field after training their dog just for fun rather than work.

The training involved in creating a gundog is applicable to any suitable dog, it does not have to end up working, and the benefits are numerous in everyday life. Whether you will work your dog in the field or wish to further your training level of hunting and retrieving in a family pet, we can action a plan to get the best from yourself and your dog.

2hr Gundog Starter Session, based on current training and progression aims

£150 Half Day Overhaul, intense start to finish of all the major components and restructuring £250

Family Guardians and Operational GP Dogs

Guarding breeds require understanding to both develop and manage their natural instincts, and whether you intend to utilise these or not, they will be there. Breeding and training has evolved to create the hardest, fastest and strongest dogs, but at the dog’s detriment.

For the majority of us, having a well balanced and responsive dog with natural but controllable instincts should be the aim. This still takes work and understanding, but also requires consistent good handling to fit into life as well as perform a role.

Over the years I have lived with and worked with German Shepherds and Malinois in differing roles, provided training for security qualifications, competed in the 2015 UKPPDA trial - taking 3rd place and highest placed GSD, and trained for companies fulfilling contracts to supply dogs for operational deployment both here and overseas.

I have learned from and trained with many highly experienced and successful trainers from private sector, Police and Forces background. All of my training is built on clear communication and creating a dog that can use their brain under pressure.

2 hr Guarding Breed Starter Session, Drive control and development, obedience, nosework, based on current training

£150 Foundation Training, Acquisition, Development and Preparation for licensing POA

Detection Dogs

For many years I have supplied green and foundation trained dogs for work in both private and public roles. My experience with gundog breeds has given me a deep understanding of how they work and how we can use this to assist their development into detection.

There are many methods in the training of these dogs and everyone has their favourite way, but there are fundamentals that need to be in place in order to avoid failure further down the line.

My specialism is getting those fundamentals in order with clear plans and processes, creating strong, confident dogs that can do their job well and without much input from the handler. There is far more necessary in any working role than just ball drive, this is just one tool in a whole toolbox, and without all of them you will find a job that you cannot complete. Each role will require different finishing, but they all require the same solid start.

2hr Detection Starter Session, Fundamental Skills, Environmentals, Trouble Shooting £150

Green dogs, Foundation Trained acquisition and supply POA

Fitness and Conditioning

Having worked dogs in four disciplines over 20 years, it has become obvious where the lack of conditioning affects the standard of work a dog can complete. Most dogs are “fit” and in good physical shape from the work and training they partake in, and in a lot of cases their experience and drive will enable them to complete the tasks required.

If we viewed our working dogs as athletes we would soon see that there is more to it than just being able to complete the job, and the overall benefits of improving the physical conditioning of a dog will enable a higher standard of work for a longer duration. This affects all of the physical and mental components of work, and all of them can be improved - including recovery.

Extending their training time is a basic start point that is usually covered (gradually do more as they get fitter), but if we look across the board at all dog sports and working roles we will find many ways to gain that extra edge.

2hr Fitness and Conditioning Session with progressive planning, training and recovery £150

Fit To Work 2 day Seminar, education, theory, planning and practical training £300 per handler and dog team.

Workshops, Guest Training, Assessments

All of the components within these working disciplines can be created as a workshop, I have presented to Colleges, clubs, trainers, organisations and training kennels, with a mix of theory and physical training.

This can be at our training ground in Chester or at your own facility, and we can discuss the individual aim of each workshop.

Workshops and seminars tend to be discussions, professional but not too formal, with plenty of information and practical training.

working dog training