http://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/

Teach Your Gundog, Haslemere (2025)

17/07/2025

We’re now offering a 10% discount when you book any three group classes together.

If you have multiple dogs, you don’t need to stick to the same level or day and can mix and match the different sessions.

The discount is applied automatically at checkout, so you don't need to enter a code. Just choose three classes, add them to your basket, and the saving will appear before you pay.

This is ideal for anyone wanting to build consistency in their training and a great way to commit and save.

If you haven't been to a Teach Your Gundog group gundog training class before, you'll be pleased to know our classes are small, supportive and welcoming.

Head to the website and book any three group classes to receive your 10% discount. The offer is live now and applied automatically at checkout.

If you have any questions about which group will be right for you, please DM us or email [email protected]

📸 Alice Loder Photography

15/07/2025

There is plenty of potential for the introduction to gunshot to go awry, so I highly recommend that you seek a gundog professional's help.

If you’d like support introducing your dog to the sound of shot, you’re very welcome to book a 121 session, where I can guide you through the process in a controlled and positive way, tailored to your dog’s needs.

We also cover shot introduction as part of our group training classes, so if you’re attending regularly, it’s something we’ll work on when your dog is ready.

Shot is usually introduced to classes once your dog has a complete retrieve with delivery and we have progressed the Get It Game to support self control on thrown dummies.

If you would like to book a 121, please head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/products/in-person-121-with-jules

📸 Alice Loder Photography

13/07/2025

Continuing gundog training beyond the basics isn’t just for those heading into the shooting field. It’s for anyone who wants to keep their gundog mentally stimulated, physically active, and emotionally balanced.

Once your gundog has a solid foundation, it’s easy to think that the training is over. But is it?

Structured training gives your gundog a job. It taps into the natural instincts they were bred for: hunting, retrieving, sniffing, searching, solving problems.

These activities don’t just exercise their body. They challenge their brain.
And that’s when we really see truth in the phrase "a tired dog is a good dog".

A mentally worked gundog is a calmer, relaxed, fulfilled dog. A spaniel that’s less likely to dig up the garden, a labrador that's not going to chew the skirting board or a HPR that's not barking for attention.

And on top of that, you continue to be their source of fun, not just the person who puts food in a bowl or clips on a lead.

So, if your dog already knows the basics, keep going. Keep training. After all, it's a lifelong journey, not a tick-box task.

Ready to move beyond the basics? Our classes are designed to challenge, stretch and inspire gundogs of all breeds and ability. DM or email [email protected] to find out which group is the best fit for you and your dog.

Otherwise, you can browse all our classes and workshops at https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/collections/all

11/07/2025

The following recipe can be used for cap guns, party poppers and a starting pistol.

For this exercise you will need a helper so that you can give your dog your undivided attention.

Step one:
Have your dog sit or stand by your side looking forward, and make sure you have your reward ready.

Step two:
Choose a distance that you can hear the shot at, but it is not so loud as to cause you to startle. The dog needs to be aware of it and orientate to it, but not ‘startle’ at it.

Step three:
Fire the shot, and engage the dog in the chosen reward process. Repeat three times, and if there is no reaction and everything is fine move to the next step. Otherwise, stop here.

Step four:
Fire the shot, take a pause to allow the dog to absorb the information and then engage in the chosen reward process. You are looking for the dog to orientate and be alert to the shot in anticipation of what is coming from you. Repeat three times. If there is no reaction and everything is fine move to the next step. Otherwise, stop.

Step five:
You can move on to party poppers and repeat the process from step four. If there is no reaction and everything is fine, move to the next step. Otherwise, stop.

Step six:
At this point introduce the starter pistol and repeat the process from step four. If there is no reaction and everything is fine move to the next step otherwise stop.

Step seven:
You can now begin to decrease the distance between you and the shot. Repeat step four. If there is no reaction and everything is fine move to the next step. Otherwise, stop for this session.

Step eight:
Now introduce a formal retrieve to the process. Set your dog up for a marked retrieve. Get your helper to fire the shot, throw an article, pause, send your dog, and have a party on their return. Finish there.

Remember: it is essential that you keep a close eye on your puppy or dog and that you stop the training session immediately if you see any signs of avoidance, flight, or distress.

Want to learn more about introducing your gundog to shot? Head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/introduction-to-shot-the-one-stage-of-training-you-need-to-get-right-the-first-time

09/07/2025

We’re running two water training workshops in Loxwood, West Sussex, designed to help you and your gundog get the most out of working in and around water.

The workshops will run on Saturday 16 August and Saturday 13 September. Each day will include a 9.30am to 11.30am Beginners session and a 12 noon to 2.00pm Progressive session.

The beginners sessions are ideal for all breeds who are already confident entering the water and swimming on cue. You’ll learn how to move on to the full water retrieve pattern looking at confident entry, a bit of steadiness, and shaking on cue.

The progressive sessions are also for all gundog breeds, but with more water experience. We’ll refine delivery to hand out of water, add a few challenges depending on the group, and continue building steadiness and confidence.

Each session is limited to six handlers so you’ll get personal guidance and plenty of practical time.

If you’re just starting or looking to advance your water work, these sessions will give you clear steps forward.

For Beginners head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/products/beginners-water-workshop

For Progressive head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/products/progressive-water-workshop

07/07/2025

One of the best ways to begin introducing your dog to the sound of shot requires no equipment at all.

If you train in a group you might have already noticed that the dummy thrower will make a noise, or clap their hands together loudly, before throwing out a retrieve.
You can do this at home on your own too and it will prepare your dog that a noise will come before the article falls, which may result in a retrieve.

When it comes to the sound of “shot”, most gundog trainers in the UK use a starter pistol or blank firer with .22 short blanks.

Anyone can purchase one from a good gundog supplier and as they are not considered to be fi****ms you don’t need a licence. However, they should only be used in locations where you have permission, and you need to be aware that use in public spaces comes with the possibility that you could fall foul of the authorities.

It’s also vital to consider health and safety for yourself and others, ensuring that you have learned how to use this equipment safely and have any recommended ear and eye protection.

In reality, very few gundog handlers have suitable ground on which they can safely fire shots, and it is unlikely that those who do need to invest in their own starter pistol, especially if they are going to in-person classes with a good gundog trainer.

When introducing shot for the first time you may instead consider using a child’s cap gun. Another benefit is that they have a slightly softer sound than a starter pistol, and using something that is not so loud is an excellent first step. These are widely available online at stores such as Amazon.

An equally valuable and easy-to-come-by intermediary step is a party popper. Again, these are softer in sound and not as loud as the starter pistol. They are also cheap to buy and can be carried in your pocket easily. Just remember to remove all the stuffing before use!

(Please consider the health and safety warnings when using any equipment mentioned!)

Want to learn more about introducing your gundog to shot? Head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/introduction-to-shot-the-one-stage-of-training-you-need-to-get-right-the-first-time

05/07/2025

There’s a reason we keep our group sizes small at Teach Your Gundog. It's because it gets better results for everyone.

Smaller classes mean shorter waits between turns, which keeps your dog engaged and your training momentum going. Less hanging around also means less frustration or chance for distraction, so your dog stays focused and you don't have to manage them as intensely.

It’s not just about the dogs either. Smaller groups come with plenty of benefits for you too. With less people to keep an eye on Jules can give each handler more attention. She spots what’s going wrong quickly and helps you fix it before it starts becoming a pattern or accidentally rewarded behaviour. She’s right there to guide your clicker timing, adjust your handling, or explain why something isn’t working for your dog.

No one gets overlooked and when there’s space to ask questions without feeling rushed, owners tend to relax more. And that’s when learning really happens.

Some dogs get overwhelmed in busy settings and some handlers do too. So we keep numbers low on purpose, to make training calmer, clearer, and more enjoyable for everyone.

If you’re looking for small gundog training classes where you and your dog will be seen, supported and set up for success, get in touch via DM or email [email protected] and we'll let you know which group is the best fit for you and your dog.

Otherwise, you can browse all our classes and workshops at https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/collections/all

📸 Alice Loder Photography

03/07/2025

This is a difficult question to answer because all our gundogs are different, and your home and training locations will vary enormously.

If you got your puppy from an experienced gundog breeder, it is very likely that they will have started the process for you and already introduced the sound of shot to the litter before you bring your puppy home.

Many breeders will have begun exposing puppies to loud noises, like clanging food bowls, and bangs at a distance, while the pups were happily feeding or playing.
At that young age, the noise will be meaningless, and the puppies should have a positive emotional response to the sound because they are doing something enjoyable at the time.

Other dogs around at the time, littermates and their mother, would not have reacted adversely, and the mother or older dogs around might even have seemed somewhat excited by the sound, so the puppy learns that this noise is nothing to be concerned about.

Once you get your puppy home, you will have a few weeks available to introduce them to the world and life in general.

As part of that socialisation period, you can take the opportunity to gradually expose your puppy to the sound of shot and loud bangs.

This is about habituation at this stage, not conditioning, so the sound should happen at a distance and start at a very low volume while the puppy is eating or engaged in play.

When your puppy reaches approximately sixteen weeks (around the time they lose their puppy teeth) and on through the early part of adolescence (approximately a year, but this is very much dictated by individual dogs), you are advised not to introduce shot at all.

There are many other biological, physiological, and psychological processes taking place in your dog during this time, and there is a far greater risk of an unpleasant emotional response occurring in connection to shot.

If this is your first gundog, you might not have known to introduce them to the sound of shot when they were a puppy. Equally, if they came from a non-working, pet gundog breeder, they might not have been introduced to loud noises and bangs when they were very young puppies either.

Provided they’re not in that delicate adolescent stage, the process for introducing older dogs to shot is the same.

To replicate the safe feeling puppies have when they are with their litter, you might also consider enlisting help from friends with dogs who are happy around the sound of shot when introducing the sound.

Want to learn more about introducing your gundog to shot? Head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/introduction-to-shot-the-one-stage-of-training-you-need-to-get-right-the-first-time

01/07/2025

Here's what's coming up at Teach Your Gundog in July, August and September...

PUPPY GUNDOG
All breeds under 8 months. No experience required. Saturdays, 09:30-10:30, Haslemere
• 5 July
• 26 July
• 9 August
• 23 August
• 6 September
• 27 September

FOUNDATION GUNDOG
All breeds over 8 months. No experience required.
Wednesdays, 12:00-13:00, Haslemere
• 2 July
• 23 July
• 6 August
• 27 August
• 10 September
• 24 September

Saturdays, 10:45-11:45, Haslemere
• 5 July
• 26 July
• 9 August
• 23 August
• 6 September
• 27 September

PROGRESSIVE BEGINNER
For all breeds that have graduated the puppy/foundation/beginner classes and are working at a Grade 2 and 3 level.
Fridays, variable location and time
• 11 July
• 25 July

Saturdays, 11:45-12:45, Haslemere
• 5 July
• 26 July

PROGRESSIVE GUNDOG
For all breeds that are working at Grade 3 and 4 level.
Wednesdays, 10:00-11:30, Haslemere
• 2 July
• 23 July
• 6 August
• 27 August
• 10 September
• 24 September

[NEW] Fridays, 10:00-11:30, Haslemere
• 8 August
• 29 August
• 26 September

MONTHLY ADVANCED RETRIEVER
Open to retriever breeds working at Grade 4 and 5 level.
Fridays, 09:30-11:00, Loxwood
• 13 June
• 11 July

MONTHLY ADVANCED SPANIEL
Open to spaniels working at Grade 4 and 5 level.
Fridays, 12:30-14:00, Loxwood
• 13 June
• 11 July

MONTHLY ADVANCED GUNDOG
Open to all breeds working at Grade 4 and 5 level.
Fridays, 09:30-11:00, Loxwood
• 15 August
• 12 September

BEGINNER WATER WORKSHOPS
Open to all breeds, looking at retrieving from water.
Saturdays, 09:30-11:00, Oakhurst Pond, Loxwood
• 16 August
• 13 September

PROGRESSIVE WATER WORKSHOPS
Open to all breeds, looking at progressing water retrieves.
Saturdays, 12:00-14:00, Oakhurst Pond, Loxwood
• 16 August
• 13 September

Can't make any of the dates? Or want to focus on something specific? You can also book one to one sessions with Jules on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

For booking and more information head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/collections/all

29/06/2025

While you might assume that your gundog is not going to be gun-shy, planning to throw them in at the deep end is a big risk to take. To explore this, we need to understand a bit of training theory.

Unless you live next to a clay shooting ground, where your dog can gradually become “habituated” to the sounds of gunfire so that it is background noise and irrelevant, you will need to proactively introduce them to the noise.

When introducing our dogs to the sound of shot, we are aiming to “condition” them so that they know that the sound is relevant and will make a positive association with it when they hear it in the future.

Eventually, we want them to know that shot means “look towards the sound” as there might be a dummy or bird landing which needs to be marked in preparation for retrieving. It may also mean “stop hunting and stand still” until the handler cues the continuation of hunting or to retrieve.

When this introduction is done wrong, or without consideration because you are just trying to wing it, it is possible to accidentally “sensitise” the dog to the sound of shot which means they become reactive to the noise and it results in an emotional state of anxiety, fear, or phobia.

If you get it wrong and your dog becomes “gun shy” or “gun nervous”, e.g. anxious and fearful of the sound, then it is possible in some cases to use behaviour modification techniques called “desensitisation” to try and undo the damage.

This involves gradually increasing the level of exposure to the sound over a great deal of time and is usually used in tandem with “counter-conditioning” another behaviour modification which aims to gradually change the dog’s emotional response to the stimulus of the shot.

But this requires a considerable amount of commitment and work, along with the intervention of a very experienced trainer or behaviourist.

And so from a training point of view, it is much better to not take the risk and assume that your dog will be happy with shot, and instead to invest a little time and effort upfront getting the initial introduction to shot right the first time.

Want to learn more about introducing your gundog to shot? Head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/introduction-to-shot-the-one-stage-of-training-you-need-to-get-right-the-first-time

27/06/2025

If you haven't been training in a while...
We know life gets busy.
Work takes over, dogs get injured, or sometimes you just need a break.

If you haven’t been to training in a while, or it's been a long time since you picked up a dummy at home, please know:
Your dog still loves you
You haven’t fallen behind
You’re still absolutely welcome here

Training is a journey, not a race. And whether your dog’s been living their best sofa life lately, or you’ve just taken a pause, just a reminder that the door is always open.

If you’ve been thinking about starting again but aren’t quite sure where to jump back in… please drop an email to [email protected] or DM us.

25/06/2025

If you are thinking about beating, picking up or rough shooting with your retriever, spaniel or HPR, want to compete in working tests or trials, or are looking to progress your gundog hobby with advanced training, you will need to introduce your gundog to the sound of shot.

Some gundogs will not bat an eyelid at the sound of a shotgun, starter pistol or dummy launcher.

But others will be more cautious.

And unless you want to risk causing irreparable damage or overwhelming your dog, an introduction to shot is not a process to be rushed.

I've put together a blog to cover the basic training theory you need to understand before getting started, when you should introduce the sound of gunshot to your puppy, the equipment you will need, and how to introduce the sound and pair it with something fun.

To read in full head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/introduction-to-shot-the-one-stage-of-training-you-need-to-get-right-the-first-time

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