Author Topic: Advice in what to look for in good gun dog trainer  (Read 3986 times)

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Offline Ernies mum

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Advice in what to look for in good gun dog trainer
« on: November 22, 2014, 02:21:45 PM »
Hi all

I've read several threads now about gun dog training and its benefits for pet working cockers . Ernie is almost 8 months and is a great little dog . I attend puppy training classes and have our name down for agility in the spring . I've noticed that recently his working instinct is kicking in our walks as he loves flushing birds out of the bushes .
I'm after some advice in what to look for in a gun dog trainer and what to expect . I'm not interested in taking ernie on shoots but just want to work on channelling his behaviour in the right way . I've also heard some horror stories of harsh training methods used by some gun dog trainers so obviously want to avoid these too.
I did look at someone locally that looked good and had some good recommendations, he charged £25 per hour. I haven't got endless resources so also wondered roughly how many hours I would need ?

Offline Pearly

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Re: Advice in what to look for in good gun dog trainer
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2014, 04:53:11 PM »
Any good trainer will equip you with the basics in 2-3 sessions but if you are enjoying the classes and Ernie is responding well then, personally, I'd continue until I had some confidence I knew how to react in different situations  ;)

Pearl has very little chase instinct and no retrieve what so ever !  We had 3 lessons in total and find working her while walking is much easier! The trainer did say that cockers shouldn't need great long walks just 20-30 minutes of being worked (quartering, recall, stop on whistle etc) would be enough.  All dogs are different and I was brought up with gun dogs do know the basic commands - it has been a lot of fun working her though and she clearly loves turning on a pip  :D

My best advice on finding a trainer is to speak to them before going for the first time. You should hear phrases such as "hands on reward only" which means no gravy bones  ;)  but also giving attention is the reward - make it clear that you don't support any negative punishment, although this is now archaic in gun dog training as dogs are far more sensitive due to breeding. Sadly I'm sure there are still some trainers who use bullying methods - maybe go along to watch a session before taking Ernie?


Offline Ernies mum

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Re: Advice in what to look for in good gun dog trainer
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2014, 05:37:22 PM »
Thank you , that's very helpful. Going to give the trainer a ring on Monday , just wanted bit of advice before phoning .
Also is £25 per hour , the going rate for a gun dog trainer ( it's not a problem and id rather pay and have someone good .... I'm just a complete novice so wanted a rough idea of costs and what to expect  ;)

Offline MUDDYBOOTS

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Re: Advice in what to look for in good gun dog trainer
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2014, 08:40:20 PM »
Hi £25 is about the going rate for one to one training that's what I have paid in the past.I like group training best and it is usually cheaper, £8 or £10 about the going rate,which means I can go more often,like most weeks.
Group trainings more fun and your dog will get used to working with other dogs,and you can have a giggle when things go wrong,again most weeks,and ask other peoples advice.
IF you go to group training look for a trainer who specialises in spaniels,then you can do lots of fun spaniel stuff and not get bogged down with watching boring Labs  :lol:.

Offline Joules

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Re: Advice in what to look for in good gun dog trainer
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2014, 08:46:09 PM »
I have done some fun gundog training classes with Coco.  She loved it.  :D 

It was a group class and we did stuff outside in a field and the woods, used a whistle and dummies etc.  It made use of her natural instincts and was fun, but no good for a serious gundog - it was fine for us though and we learned lots of things to use at home.  It is a much cheaper way of doing it than a one-to-one trainer.  Not sure where you are, but why not see if you can find a dog trainer who does this sort of class around you?   ;)
Julie and Watson

Offline Pearly

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Re: Advice in what to look for in good gun dog trainer
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2014, 11:59:02 AM »
I agree with both posts above - I paid £25 for the first couple of lessons 1-2-1 and £30 with Kevin Powell who is a trials trainer and spaniel breeder.  Had Pearl shown more instinct we would have gone back to open or group classes as it also allows some comparison and progress against other owners dogs  ;)

Offline Emilyoliver

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Re: Advice in what to look for in good gun dog trainer
« Reply #6 on: November 23, 2014, 02:33:19 PM »
As said £25-£30 is about standard for 121 training. However, you shouldn't need weekly sessions. A good trainer should give you exercises/aspects to work on for a few weeks. I've only ever had monthly 121s, and done the rest on our own. Gundog training is great fun (or should be), so if you don't enjoy the sessions with whoever you choose to train with, look for another trainer whose methods suit you, your dog and your aspirations. Good luck and enjoy!
Michelle, Emily and Ollie

Offline Ernies mum

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Re: Advice in what to look for in good gun dog trainer
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2014, 05:15:03 PM »
Thanks everyone . I contacted Ernies breeder to see if he could recommend a local gun dog trainer and he's offered to show ernie and I the ropes . I regularly keep in touch with him and he has trained his own gun dogs including ernies mum .
So thrilled and can't wait for ernie to see his mum again it's going to be fab  :luv:

Offline Pearly

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Re: Advice in what to look for in good gun dog trainer
« Reply #8 on: November 24, 2014, 08:10:52 PM »
That's a perfect solution  :D what a fantastic opportunity!