Gundog Training for your

Companion Dog

Join us for private training.

Sessions using gundog training with your companion dog..

Or sessions to prepare you and your dog for the field.

Invest in a few sessions with a gundog trainer.

Even if you don't want to work the dog, and it will help teach you to channel the

natural instincts of the dog that he won't grow out of.

Speak to us to see if gundog training is the right way to go for your dog.

You don't need to enrol on to a course, just book as you go..

sessions are 1-2-1 so we go at your dogs pace.

*Please understand, these sessions do not cover Reactivity, Aggression, Anxiety (Hyper-arousal) and other behavioural issues.

These sessions are reserved for using gundog training to accomplish obedience skills, control, focus, composure and drive management.

As an owner of a gundog breed, you may want gundog training for control, for fun, or to give it a go with a view to maybe taking it further.

You may have been directed to see about getting some gundog training because your dog is not suited to mainstream classes, has regressed or training has been neglected and the dog is needing more than the average family dog training can offer.
Be aware that if we are playing catch-up, if your dog has run around playing freely with others, does daycare or goes out with others daily, chasing, doing pretty much whatever he likes, there's a lot that will need to be reversed.

With that in mind, the training we offer can take you from puppy to a level where if you decide to take it to tests and trials you have the foundations placed.

You may be starting right at the beginning or you may already be working your dog and wanting to go over some foundations, troubleshooting or just have a fresh set of eyes cast over your dog and your own handling.

We will cover the following disciplines or create a bespoke plan .. your dog will go at his pace, so sessions may differ from dog to dog.

VEHICLE MANNERS.. wait/stay in and out of the vehicle
NAME RECOGNITION
HERE-SIT-STAY.. distance/distraction & duration -360° focus

HEEL-WALKING
SIT AT STOP
INTRODUCTION TO WHISTLE
PLACEBOARD/platform training.. for returns, retrieve & heel position and long stays
DISTANCE STOPS
DOWN STAYS/DROPS
STEADY TO FLUSH
INTRODUCTION TO RETRIEVES
INTRODUCING COVER
DIRECTIONAL CONTROL /QUARTERING/CASTING
STARTING OR RESTARTING RECALL
INTRODUCTION TO GUNSHOT.. Sit to shot
INTRODUCTION TO OBSTACLES.. if needed
RETRIEVING THE DUMMY.. Size, weight, position, hold, colour, camouflage, texture, wind direction, presentation.

STEADINESS & DENIALS
RECAP OF STOP-SIT

TRACKING SCENT
FLUSHING
SIT TO FLUSH
FLUSH COMMAND

RECAP OF RECALL
WATER INTRODUCTION & SAFETY
WATER CONFIDENCE
PROGRESSING THE RETRIEVE
HAND SIGNALLING /WHISTLE SIGNALLING.. Casting, directions, quartering.

OFF LEASH HEEL-WALKING
COVER/ROUGH/BUSH.. Woodlands, Moorlands, Wetlands, Uplands
SPLIT RETRIEVES
FURTHER GUNSHOT EXPOSURE
RECAP ON THE STOP

STEADY TO GAME

SIT TO FLUSH - SIT FLUSH SIT - SIT FLUSH RETURN

RETURN FROM CHASE
POINTING ..Indication
OBSTACLES.. not always suitable for house pets
DISTANCE CONTROL
RETURN TO WATER RETRIEVES

SIMULATION SHOT OVER DOG/WALKED UP/ROUGH-SHOOT.. Flushing, driving, peg, tracking, picking up..

SCURRIES & PICK-UPS

Private sessions held in Law Village Park or the Run-free dog field, Carluke if preferred.

(Water Retrieve sessions , when suitable, will be held at Greenhead Moss Nature Reserve or Mauldslie Woods, an area of woodland close to the town of Carluke, South Lanarkshire. One of six woodlands which form the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve. Standing on the estate of Mauldslie Castle

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Private GundogTraining (1-2-1) Tailored to your dog.

The sessions are:

One-off Walking skills ... on-leash, off-leash, no pulling & heeling

£100 weekday

£120 weekend

Regular

Skills, Control & Practice sessions:

£80 - Weekend 10am or 2pm

(anything from 90mins - a couple of hours or more)

£70 - Weekday 10am or 2pm

(anything from 90mins - a couple of hours or more)

Fieldwork sessions,

Assessments, One-Off Workshops & other Fieldwork Sessions inc. Mock tests/SIM Hunts can be anything from 2-4 hours

Prices are listed on the website page

(Supporting notes are put together and sent by email after most sessions as we get through a lot of information and training)

If your dog doesn't cope with other dogs in public places approaching or running around, we can join you in the hire fields along the same road from the grounds we use for the Skills, Control & Practice sessions

(RunFree Carluke)

Equipment to bring along:

Your usual walking equipment

Whistle

Waterproof footwear

Towel

Water

Sense of humour

Please note that we work in public areas where other dogs and owners will be, many of these dogs will be off-leash and may run over to join us - which we can turn into a training opportunity.

our own dogs may be present too.

If your dog won't cope well in such an event, or you prefer a contained area, the Carluke Run Free privately hired dog fields are along the same road as us, so we can always join you there.

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& If you are going to be working your dog...

If you are looking to prepare your dog for WORKING TESTS ...

A Guide to Gundog Working Tests (GWT) for Working Spaniels.

What is a Gundog Working Test?

A Gundog Working Test (GWT) is a competitive event designed to assess a dog's natural hunting and retrieving abilities.

While these events simulate a traditional "roughshooting" day, they differ from Field Trials in two key ways:

* Season:

Working Tests are held during the "off-season" (typically March to September), whereas Field Trials take place during the winter shooting season.

* Equipment:

GWTs use canvas dummies and starter pistols rather than live game and shotguns.

The judge is looking for a "merry," busy worker, a dog that hunts with drive and enthusiasm while remaining under the total control of the handler.

1. Levels of Competition

Tests are categorised by the age and experience of both the dog and the handler. This ensures a fair playing field for everyone from "grassroots" beginners to seasoned pros.

* Puppy:

For dogs aged 6 to 18 months. These tests focus on basic obedience, steadying to shot, a basic hunt, and simple "seen" retrieves.

* Novice Dog/Novice Handler (ND/NH): The ideal entry point for beginners. This category is reserved for dogs and handlers who have never won an award.

* Novice:

For dogs that have not yet won a Novice test or placed in an Open test or Field Trial.

Expect more challenging terrain and longer retrieves.

* Open:

The highest level of competition.

Tasks include complex "blind" retrieves, heavy cover, and long distances. Handling must be "whisper quiet," and performance must be polished.

2. Core Exercises & Disciplines

During a test, you and your dog will visit several "stations" or "runs" to perform the following tasks:

* Hunting (Quartering):

The "bread and butter" of spaniel work. The dog must hunt a piece of ground (usually white grass or light cover) in a tight, wind-efficient pattern, staying within 15–20 yards of the handler.

* Steadiness to Flush and Shot:

To simulate a rising bird or a "bolting" rabbit, a dummy may be thrown or released on a wire while a starter pistol is fired.

The dog must sit immediately without a command and remain steady until told to retrieve or continue hunting.

* Marked Retrieves:

A dummy is thrown in plain sight. The dog must mark the fall, wait for the command, and go directly to the spot to retrieve.

* Blind Retrieves:

A dummy is hidden in a spot the dog has not seen. The handler must use whistle commands and hand signals to direct the dog to the area.

* Water Work:

Most tests include a retrieve from across a pond or stream to test the dog’s willingness to enter the water and its ability to handle "wet" retrieves.

3. What the Judges are Looking For.

Performances are typically graded on a points system (often out of 20 per exercise).

Key attributes include:

* Style and Drive:

The dog should look like it loves its work. For a Cocker, a wagging tail is an absolute must!

* Ground Treatment:

The judge looks for a dog that uses the wind effectively to find game (or dummies).

* The Delivery:

The dog should return directly to the handler, sit in front of them, and deliver the dummy "tenderly" to the hand. Dropping the dummy on the floor or "mouthing" (damaging) it will result in major point deductions.

* Control and Quiet Handling:

The less noise a handler makes, the better. High scores are awarded for dogs that respond instantly to subtle whistle and hand signals.

4. Getting Started: Requirements & Etiquette.

Entry Requirements:

* Registration:

Most official GWTs require the dog to be registered with the Royal Kennel Club.

* Club Membership:

Tests are run by regional gundog clubs (e.g., The Cocker Spaniel Club, Usk Valley, or Mid-Sussex).

Being a member usually gives you priority in the "draw" for entry.

* Etiquette:

Traditional country attire (greens and browns) is expected. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times when not competing.

Essential Equipment:

* Slip Lead: For easy release and control.

* Whistle: The Acme 210.5 is the standard frequency for Spaniels.

* Dummies: Standard 1lb canvas dummies for practice.

* Game Bag: To carry your gear throughout the day.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOUR PLANS ARE SO THAT WE CAN PUT SESSIONS TOGETHER TO GET YOU STARTED OR SMOOTH OUT ANY TROUBLES THAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING

SESSIONS ARE £80 (£70 FOR WEEKDAYS)

ALLOW 90 MINS TO A COUPLE OF HOURS OR SO

INC. WRITTEN NOTES

CONTACT BY TEXT, WHATSAPP, FACEBOOK MESSAGES, MESSENGER, OR EMAIL

PHONE CALLS
& VOICE MESSAGES
ARE NOT MONITORED

07787 402 759

FOR THE HUNTERS IN YOUR HOME

& If you are going to be working your dog...