Residential gundog training

[milly]

I know this is a long shot, but I was considering a residential gundog training course for myself and Paddy next year. I have done an internet search and have only come up with http://www.kimberleygundogs.com/ which being a yorkshire lass this is a bit far for me.
I found a lot of sites that will train the dog for you but I was looking for somewhere we could go together as I think it would be more beneficial that way and certainly more rewarding for me and I couldn't bear to leave him with anyone else. His heel work, recall, sit and stay is coming on nicely but I am planning for the future.
Does anyone know of anywhere?

[cazza]

Do you need residential or just a decent gundog trainer that you could pop along to about once a month or so 

[Mrs K]

I know this is a long shot, but I was considering a residential gundog training course for myself and Paddy next year. I have done an internet search and have only come up with http://www.kimberleygundogs.com/ which being a yorkshire lass this is a bit far for me.
I found a lot of sites that will train the dog for you but I was looking for somewhere we could go together as I think it would be more beneficial that way and certainly more rewarding for me and I couldn't bear to leave him with anyone else. His heel work, recall, sit and stay is coming on nicely but I am planning for the future.
Does anyone know of anywhere?

I had a wee peek and the thought of the food would make me travel 

[jann]

If you look at the course details , he seems to run courses all over the country including Yorkshire  (although next years dates are not there yet.)

[JulieNicholds]

Walter Harrison down in Dorset does residential ladies only and mixed training courses.  You stay in a local hotel and there is a choice of your dogs staying at Walter's kennels or with you at the hotel/car.  I did a 3 day course with my now 14 year old cocker, Mocha.  It was good fun and very informative. Based round beating dogs and picking up - open to all breeds so you get a good variety of work done; rabbit pen, simulated walk up etc. Usually advertise in the Shooting Times and Shooting Gazette - think there was one in the November issue of both advertised.

[milly]

Thanks Julie, that sounds interesting, will check it out.
Unfortunately there aren't many gundog trainers near me, there is one a few miles away but I don't want to go to him for personal reasons.

[Tasha]

I can recommend Kimberly gundogs is a fabulous week or weekend away and they really do make your work for your dinner...worth the trip

[lurcher]

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!!

[Tasha]

the residential courses are really there to help you brush up on some of your skills and focus on your dogs specific training needs they are great if you are competing, you do learn an awful lot from them, its also a social opportunity and a chance to have a break away with your dog with like minded people, you learn an awful alot around the dinner table discussing the days events and getting someone elses perspective on your dog and your handling.  I use these courses as a treat and they open lots of doors.

I do the weekly training classes with my dogs on average pay £3 - £7 for an afternoon unless its a specialist training session or a one to one when you pay extra on average between £15 and £25.  I see no reason to pay any more than the above for gundog training.
   

[milly]

I agree about the short attention span of a young dog and weekly classes would be ideal we seem to be short of gundog trainers in south yorkshire, particuarly ones that specialise in cockers. I know of one but as I said I don't want to approach him for personal reasons. I've looked on the other gundog websites and even the grade 1 uk gundog training does not have courses near me. I spoke to the office staff and they will let me know if they get trainers in my area but currently the nearest course is a 2 hour drive. Thats a 4 hour round trip and thats a lot of travelling with a young dog for 1 hours training.
A friend of mine is a member of a gundog club about an hour away that trains in the summer so I'm hoping to access that. A residential course would have supplemented it. I contacted Kimberley gundogs but they don't have any plans for further courses in yorkshire as yet 

[SkyeSue]

I agree about the short attention span of a young dog and weekly classes would be ideal we seem to be short of gundog trainers in south yorkshire, particuarly ones that specialise in cockers. I know of one but as I said I don't want to approach him for personal reasons. I've looked on the other gundog websites and even the grade 1 uk gundog training does not have courses near me. I spoke to the office staff and they will let me know if they get trainers in my area but currently the nearest course is a 2 hour drive. Thats a 4 hour round trip and thats a lot of travelling with a young dog for 1 hours training.
A friend of mine is a member of a gundog club about an hour away that trains in the summer so I'm hoping to access that. A residential course would have supplemented it. I contacted Kimberley gundogs but they don't have any plans for further courses in yorkshire as yet 

I totally empathise with you on this. I'm in exactly the same situation. The closest training to me I've managed to find so far, is a 4 hour drive away; its every saturday for 8 weeks, so just isn't feasible, as much as I would dearly love to do it.

[lurcher]

Hi again 

Not sure if any of these are any use to you - but found these on UK gundogs.org
Hope this link works .... you may need to copy and paste it into your browser.

http://www.ukgundogs.org/Trainerareas/yorks.htm


We are off to "school" with Purdy tomorrow - so we will try and remember to ask our trainer if she knows of any good trainers in your area.

TTFN!

[milly]

Thanks lurcher, have checked that site, most of the yorkshire trainers are north yorkshire which is too far but on a good note I've have found a cocker trainer who usually takes dogs residentially for training but I've spoken to him and he has agreed to train me to train Paddy   
He's only 20 mins away and I'm going to meet him after xmas.

[lurcher]

Ah thats great news!

Good luck to you and Paddy - let us know how you get on!
It can be really rewarding - although my OH had a full head of hair when he started training Purdy!! 

[Tasha]

you don't need cocker specific training just spaniel.  With all my dogs I have had to travel for training the longest is an 8 1/2hr drive to Scotland from Brighton to do Grouse training twice a year the closest is 2 hours away its the same when you buy a dog its worth finding a good trainer and travelling, they don't mind sitting in the car most of the time you'll find they'll sleep especially as puppies.

Its also worth asking the HPR trainers because there are alot of classes around and most started off with a spaniel or a lab so will adapt the training to suit you and your dog. I love gundog training even if you never end up going on a shoot the training can come in handy in all sorts of ways and your pupster is socialised and calm after each outing.   Nothing like a bit of brain exercise to give a puppy all those lovely doggy dreams