I took Paddy to a Novice Cocker Training day in Castle Douglas yesterday, it was a big deal for both of us, for me because I'm the worlds worst driver and it was a four and a half hour trip, and for him because he's never trained in a group of dogs before.
I drove up Friday and stayed overnight nearby and took him for his first trip to the beach, then Friday morning we had a walk in the woods before we went for the training. It was run by Francis Brooks of Contrail Cockers who has 42 Field Trial Awards with 11 different cockers so certainly knows her stuff. I was worried Paddy wouldn't be able to concentrate with other dogs around, especially if there were any bitches as he's going through a stage of wanting to get amourous with anything female
but he was a star.
There only 5 cockers in the group, 4 the same age as him and 1 about a year old. Francis was very welcoming, she had the attitude 'put the kettle on and make yourselves at home', then we started off by each introducing ourselfs and saying what we hoped to do with our dogs. We moved outside and got the pups out then showed her what we had done with them so far. She had the knack of giving everyone individual attention and advice while making sure no one was left stood around with a young dog for long. She gave little demonstrations with her own dogs, all of varying ages to demonstrate how to handle them and then we each in turn worked on recall, sit etc. Paddy did ok but was a bit tired and I realised that was entirely my fault, I'd wanted to make the most of being there and I realise now I did too much with him
The pups had a rest in their crates whilst we had lunch, chatted and watched a DVD of this years cocker championship. Then we set off in a convy to her favourite training ground. I'm not sure what the girls in scotland would call the area where we went, but coming from somewhere thats mainly flat I can only describe it as a 'mountain'. The drive up was a bit scarey for me but well worth it. It was all differant levels of terrain, grass, gorse bushes, vegatation and little streams, Paddy was refreshed after his nap and back to his lively little self
We did some retrieves, a couple over a little stream and I was a bit worried he wouldn't go over it but no worries, then all the pups did a blind retrieve over a little stream. Everyone had differant problems, one pup had not seen a dummy before and one was fast as lightning but didn't want to give the dummy up, Francis showed us all how to deal with each little problem. Then we did some hunting/quartering while she instructed us and the pups loved it.
I came away with new ideas and knowing what I need to work on. Paddy slept all the way home
It was really tiring but well worth the trip. I've booked him in for Grade 1 of the gundog club and I was a bit worried about working in a group but I'm looking forward to it now. We had a great time at Francis's and I'm going to take him back for the intermediate 2 day course when he's older.
