What age do we start puppies at? 

 

Joining Our Gundog Program

While it is never too late to start your gundog journey, our formal training programs typically begin when puppies reach six months of age. 

 

This ensures that your dog has developed the physical maturity and mental focus required for more structured fieldwork. 

 

Starting at this stage allows us to build upon a solid foundation while the "puppy brain" begins to transition into a more trainable, adolescent mindset.

 

If you have an older dog, don’t worry, we welcome gundogs of all ages.

 

However, for those with new arrivals, the window between 8 weeks and 6 months is the golden period for preparation.

 

Focusing on the basics at home now will ensure you hit the ground running when you join us for formal training.

 

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Pre-Training Checklist (8 Weeks to 6 Months)

Before starting formal gundog work, focus on these "Life Skills."  A dog that understands these basics will progress much faster once they reach the field:

 

* A leave-it 

* A drop-it

 * A good recall:  Building on the "velcro" connection. Your puppy should want to return to you every time they are called.  This should be well established before 6 months - even though it is going to fall apart as the drives emerge and develop.

If they have been allowed to wander, play freely with others, sniff to their hearts content, the recall will suffer...But likewise they should be off leash following you engaging with you from an early age ..keeping them on leash will build desire to access what hasnt been explored.

 * The "Sit" Stay:  Teaching patience is vital. Work on a steady sit, gradually increasing the time and moving a few steps away.

 *Social development,  Expose your pup to different environments, noises (like whistles or distant bangs), and textures (tall grass, water, woodland) without them becoming over-excited.

Allowing them to be aware of other dogs, people and everyday life events without over exposure.

 * Lead Manners:  Focus on walking on a loose lead. A dog that pulls on the way to the field is often too frantic to learn once they get there.

 * The "Place" Command: Teach your pup to settle on a bed or mat. This translates to "steadiness" later in their gundog career.

 * Introduction to Retrieval:  Keep it fun Encourage your pup to bring anything they have picked up + toys back to your hand without playing "keep-away." Avoid heavy or hard items; soft puppy dummies or socks are perfect.

 * Whistle Conditioning:  Start associating a single toot with Stopping what they are doing, and 3 pips with coming to you at meal times so they learn that the whistle means something wonderful is about to happen if they come to you.

 

* Avoid chasing after your puppy 

* Avoid taking things from them

* Avoid 'too much freedom too soon'

* Avoid keeping them on a leash - the best recalls develop when pups engage & follow their owners around from a young age.

* Avoid allowing them the freedom to hunt & sniff at everything without your input.