Has anyone pursued gundog training with their family dog?

[BoogleMcGroogle]

We have a lovely 10 week Lab puppy. He’s a mix of show/ working lines but parents are both family pets, not working dogs. We aren’t shooting types, but inspired by a few fabulous gundogs we know we are keen to try gundog training and activities as a way of building our relationship and helping him to express his breed traits. We have joined a local puppy class and planned to contact a recommended gundog trainer in the spring. Currently we are focusing on eye contact, recall and building a bond. He’s a super boy and very keen! Has anyone done gundog training with their family dog? Did you go on to work with them? Any tips on how to get started? Thanks 🙂

I have had labradors as pets all my life but started Gundog training with my pet working/show lab about 7 years ago. It’s such a wonderful thing to do harnessing the dogs basic drives and creates the most amazing bond. I’ve now got three labs all working lines and have made loads of new friends through my hobby. A warning though, it’s seriously addictive and challenging.

I have taken my one of my dogs picking up on a shoot on several occasions which is something I never wanted to do, but he practises on dummies to please me and so I’ve taken him to pick the birds which is the one thing he really wants to do.

You need to find the right Gundog trainer as anyone can set themselves up and call themselves a trainer. There are a lot of old fashioned correction/ punishment trainers in Gundog work. I suggest that you contact The Gundog Club who are a charity that promote positive reinforcement training for gundogs

We trained our Terrier at a gundog training place the bloke was excellent.
We just wanted some help with the basics as she is a hunter not a retriever
He had lots of general pets turning up with good results the close protection dogs where stunning to see

I did gun dog training for my WCS for over a year. Didn't want to work him but it was great to actually understand what motivates the breed. I still use some of the tips and tricks out walking and have great recall because of it (too much as he never leaves my side and pesters me to engage )

Not yet but I've been looking in to it. Our Lab's mum is working line, plus she is very smart and loves to work for her food so I'm thinking it might suit her. Her recall and drop is terrible so I've been wondering if this type of training might work for us.

I have - I started knowing basically nothing - and I've now run my dog in a working test, taken up beating and joined the committee of the club I train with... Haven't actually worked the dog yet, but she'd be fine to rough shoot over.

You end up not only with a decently well mannered dog, but also a dog that you understand. I took mine yesterday around the edge of a wood and let her hunt along the margin. I knew she was pushing pheasants ahead of her and then she flushed several, but she stayed close, stopped on the whistle and heeled away when told. She had a marvellous ten or 15 minutes, but at no point was she out of control, I wasn't worried that she'd bog off into the foggy dusk and she came home very happy.

I have a lovely bond with her, which makes her a pleasure to walk. I'd never have got that without being able to understand and harness her drives.

Absolutely go for it BUT do research your trainer carefully. Look for positive trainers some gundog trainers are still in the dark ages with their training methods.

Not sure where you are in the country but can recommend some excellent trainers if you need help with this

#PollyRoulson, I wonder if you could recommend any gun dog trainers in the Oxfordshire/West Berkshire area? Thank you.

@PollyRoulson could you recommend anyone in Cambridgeshire? Quite keen to try gundog training with my WCS in the summer.

Thanks so much for these ideas. We are very carefully researching force-free trainers and have found a business locally that does classes from ‘beginner pup’. It’s just fun games and also opportunities for water At first which sounds fun. After our 12 week ‘normal’ training we can’t wait to start with them in the Spring.

Sorry just seen this @Antaresisastar positive gundog trainers are a bit short on the ground in Oxfordshire but try these
Scurries dog training

Copsehilltraining.co.uk

@Tournesol

acerdogs.com
Carol Ford Bespoke gundogs easier to find her on facebook

@PollyRoulson apologies for also jumping on this thread and asking for recommendations - do you know anyone in the Bristol / Bath area? Or where I should look for a positive trainer?

I have bought a book - Force Free Gundog training - but would be good to have some practical training.

Thanks!