Hi!
We have been going to classes with Purdy since Sept 07 (she was 5/6 months then) - we have pretty much gone every week since then, she is now about 20 months old.
It's been a real learning curve being our first gun dog - and it amazes me how much there is to learn (you would think by now she would be a complete expert!! lol - but we are not quite there yet!) ... our classes are with a local trainer that we found via the gundog club website, they are only 15 pounds for an hour (which is cheap in comparison to some) - but our trainer is very good (and a poor timekeeper
) - so we often get a lot longer than the hour!
I'm not knocking the residential - I'm sure they are very good - but from our experience to date - I don't think we would have achieved as much in a 2 day course for 200 quid as we have by going for an hour+ each week?
Also - we sometimes find that an hour a time is enough for the dog - as our cockers attention span can be limited!
We have also made some really good friends along the way ...
What area are you in? - Our trainer is a trial judge - so she knows alot of other trainers up and down the country - and may have someone she could recommend?
What ever you decide - Good luck!!