Teach Your Gundog

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Teach Your Gundog

Teach Your Gundog Jules Morgan APDT 973, GTA co-founder
Gundog training for all breeds and levels
Covering Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex

Teach Your Gundog using kind, fair and effective methods of training. Member of The Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Accredited Training Instructor Animal Behaviour Training Council. Co-founder of the Gundog Trainers Academy.

14/02/2025

How to teach your spaniel to hunt with you...

Choose the Right Location
Start in a grassy field or brush with low cover. Avoid smooth lawns or areas without scent stimulation to keep your Spaniel engaged.

Introduce the Scent
Show your dog food rewards or scented dummies to spark interest. Place them in a “sit and wait” while you distribute small piles of food in a 4m x 4m area. Add a challenge by leaving some empty spots with residual scent.

Release and Guide
Return to your dog, show empty hands, and release them with a cue like “Go Find.” Encourage them to search thoroughly, staying focused on the hidden rewards.

Encourage Focus
Stay within the area to keep them on task. Use your body language to guide them back if they wander, maintaining a calm and clear presence.

Celebrate Finds
Reward each discovery with enthusiastic praise and treats. Positive reinforcement will keep your Spaniel motivated and make the experience enjoyable.

Increase Difficulty
Gradually challenge them by hiding food before they arrive or expanding the area. Add more scent-only spots to sharpen their quartering pattern.

End With a Recall
Always finish with a recall to maintain control and reinforce obedience. A reliable recall ensures your Spaniel stays responsive, even when fully immersed in scenting.

Training a Spaniel is about more than teaching them the mechanics of hunting - it’s about building trust and teamwork. As they grow more confident in their scenting abilities and learn to follow your guidance, you’ll find they’re not just working for you, they’re working with you.

To learn more about breed-specific hunting techniques head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-get-your-gundog-to-hunt-with-you-part-two

11/02/2025

Have you trained with Jules before but taken a little break?

Life gets busy – but your gundog training journey doesn’t have to end here.

Now’s the perfect time to dive back in and build on the skills you and your dog have already worked so hard to achieve. Jules’ progressive gundog classes are designed to help you take that next step with confidence and clarity.

Here’s what’s on:
🐕 Progressive Beginner Gundog Classes (Grades 2/3):
· Fridays in Loxwood – perfect for those working towards Grade 2 and Grade 3.
· Saturdays in Haslemere – another great option for dogs at the same stage.

🐕 Progressive Gundog Classes (Grades 3/4):
· Wednesdays in Haslemere – for those aiming to advance to Grades 3 and 4.

Training with Jules isn’t just about skills for the shooting field, it’s about rediscovering the joy of working as a team with your dog and reigniting your passion for gundog training.

Ready to return to training? To book your spot today and continue the journey head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/collections/all

08/02/2025

Hunting Retrievers, often called Spaniels, are masters of ground scenting. These energetic and focused gundogs excel at working close to their handler, quartering systematically to locate and flush game. Their natural drive and remarkable noses make them exceptional flushing dogs.

Spaniels rely heavily on ground scent to pinpoint game. Their role in the hunting chain is straightforward but essential:
Set off alongside their handler.
Quarter across the wind, staying within a close range of 3 to 5 metres.
Locate game using ground scent.
Flush game and then sit or wait after the flush.
Re-hunt or retrieve as needed.

This close-range working style is what makes Spaniels such effective team players. They stay engaged with their handler, making it easier to maintain control and ensure that every hunt is a partnership. The following step-by-step guide will help you train your Spaniel to hunt with purpose and stay focused within a defined area (instead of disappearing over the horizon).

To learn more about breed-specific hunting techniques head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-get-your-gundog-to-hunt-with-you-part-two

05/02/2025

Training isn’t just about teaching your dog to sit or stay – it’s about the partnership between you and your dog. When both handler and gundog feel understood, the results go beyond commands; you build trust, joy, and teamwork.

Force-free methods don’t just get results, they show your dog that training is something to look forward to. It’s about working together, not against each other.

What’s one thing you and your gundog have learned together that strengthened your bond? Share it below and let’s celebrate those heartwarming moments.

02/02/2025

Want a simple game to play with your HPR to get them started with a structured hunting pattern?

Set Up for Success
Choose an open area with the wind blowing towards you to encourage air scenting.

Introduce the Scent
Show your dog a scented dummy or food to spark interest. Place them in a “sit and wait” while you discreetly drop the reward in a wide circle, avoiding excessive ground scent.

Release and Encourage
Return to your dog, show empty hands, and use a cue like “Go Find.” Let them move independently, using their nose to locate the reward.

Refine the Exercise
Repeat 3–4 times, praising each success. Gradually expand the search area and add more targets to build their quartering pattern.

Increase Complexity
Set up targets before your dog arrives and make hides more challenging. Expand the area over time to sharpen their scenting ability.

Celebrate Success
Reward every find enthusiastically and include a recall at the end of each session to reinforce good habits.

As your HPR progresses, you’ll notice them developing a more confident and efficient quartering pattern, working methodically across the wind. Their ability to interpret scent will become sharper, and they’ll hold their head at shoulder height, dipping or raising it as they read the trail. Encourage them to fully explore their environment while staying focused on the task at hand.

To learn more about breed-specific hunting techniques head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-get-your-gundog-to-hunt-with-you-part-two

30/01/2025

Here's what's coming up at Teach Your Gundog in February and March...

PUPPY GUNDOG
All breeds under 8 months. No experience required. Saturdays, 09:30-10:30, Haslemere
• 1 February
• 15 February
• 1 March
• 15 March
• 29 March

FOUNDATION GUNDOG
All breeds over 8 months. No experience required. Saturdays, 10:30-11:30, Haslemere
• 1 February
• 15 February
• 1 March
• 15 March
• 29 March

PROGRESSIVE BEGINNER FRIDAYS
For all breeds that have graduated the puppy/foundation/beginner classes and are working at a Grade 2 and 3 level.
Fridays, 11:00-12:00, Loxwood
• 14 February
• 28 February
• 14 March
• 28 March

PROGRESSIVE BEGINNER SATURDAYS
All breeds working at Grade 2/3 level. Must have attended our puppy/foundation sessions or had a 121 session before starting.
Saturdays, 11:30-13:00, Haslemere
• 1 February
• 15 February
• 1 March
• 15 March
• 29 March

PROGRESSIVE GUNDOG
For all breeds that are working at Grade 3 and 4 level.
Wednesdays, 10:00-11:30, Haslemere
• 5 February
• 19 February
• 12 March
• 26 March

ADVANCED SPANIEL
Open to spaniels working at Grade 4 and 5 level.
Fridays, 09:30-11:00, Loxwood
• 14 February
• 28 February
• 14 March
• 28 March

ADVANCED RETRIEVER
Open to retriever breeds working at Grade 4 and 5 level.
Fridays, 12:00-13:30, Loxwood
• 14 February
• 28 February
• 14 March
• 28 March

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

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

27/01/2025

Hunt Point Retrievers (HPRs) excel at using both air and ground scenting to locate quarry, making them highly valued for their ability to hunt, point, and retrieve.

One of their most impressive traits is their steady point, pausing completely when they’ve located their target, giving you the chance to step in and take the lead. Developing this skill takes time, consistency, and the right approach, but with practice, your HPR can become a confident and reliable hunting partner.

HPRs primarily use air scenting to find quarry, raising their heads to “taste” the wind. Once they’ve locked onto a scent, they’ll dip down to use ground scent for confirmation.

Their hunting chain typically follows this sequence:
· Setting off with purpose.
· Quartering across the wind to locate scent.
· Pointing and holding steady on the target.
· Flushing on cue.
· Sitting or standing after the flush to await your instructions.
· Retrieving and delivering the quarry.

This structured chain of behaviours helps HPRs work systematically and efficiently. By starting with simple exercises and gradually increasing the complexity, you can help your HPR hone their natural abilities and build their confidence every step of the way.

To learn more about breed-specific hunting techniques head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-get-your-gundog-to-hunt-with-you-part-two

24/01/2025

Maybe you’ve thought, “What if I get it wrong?” or “Everyone else seems to be doing better than me.”

Here’s the truth: Every single handler has been where you are. Even the most experienced trainers started with a bundle of energy and no idea where to begin.

What sets you apart isn’t perfection – it’s showing up.

Every time you practice recall or work on steadiness, even if it doesn’t go to plan, you’re still moving closer and building a stronger bond with your dog along the way.

🌟 Remember: Progress isn’t linear, and it’s okay to make mistakes. What matters is that you’re here, learning, and trying.

21/01/2025

In Part One of this blog, we explored the core of gundog hunting instincts, why they’re impossible to suppress, and how to use scent as a self-rewarding behaviour to strengthen your bond with your dog.

In Part Two, we’ll focus on breed-specific hunting techniques, providing practical advice tailored to Hunt Point Retrievers (HPRs), Spaniels, and Retrievers.

Whether you’re training for fieldwork or simply looking to enrich your dog’s life, these techniques will help you build a confident and capable hunting partner.

To read in full head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-get-your-gundog-to-hunt-with-you-part-two

18/01/2025

Have you just welcomed a playful gundog puppy into your home? Or maybe your older dog has you wondering whether gundog training could bring out their full potential?

Whether you’re working with a bouncy pup under 8 months or an older dog eager to learn, Jules has the perfect starting point for you:

✨ Puppy Gundog Classes: Build a solid foundation for focus, confidence, and trust in a fun, positive environment.
✨ Foundation Gundog Classes: For dogs over 8 months, this is where they’ll learn key skills like recall, steadiness, and the foundations of retrieving.

Both classes are held in Haslemere on Saturday mornings. With Jules’ force-free methods and supportive teaching style, you’ll feel confident knowing you’re doing what’s best for your dog.

There’s no such thing as “too late” or “too early” – just the chance to start building an incredible partnership.

To book your training today and take the first step on your gundog journey head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/collections/all

15/01/2025

Your gundog’s love of scent isn’t just a quirk - it’s a window into their world. For gundogs, sniffing isn’t just fun, it’s a natural behaviour that provides both mental stimulation and emotional fulfilment.

By using scent as a self-rewarding activity, you can turn something they already love into a powerful training tool. With a little patience and practice, you’ll not only enrich your dog’s life but also build a stronger bond between you.

Step One: Find an Engaging Scent Spot
Choose a scent-rich area like a woodland path, your garden, or a spot where wildlife passes. Let your dog explore at their own pace, sniffing and investigating. Be patient and supportive, showing them it’s okay to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Step Two: Observe and Share
Watch your dog’s body language as they absorb the scents – they might pause, tilt their head, or root their nose to the ground. These signs show they’re deeply engaged. Stay close to offer calm support and build trust while sharing this moment together.

Step Three: Introduce a Cue
When your dog is fully focused, gently say “sniff” in a calm, encouraging tone. Repeat the word as they engage with the scent. Practise this in different places with varied scents to help them generalise the cue.

Step Four: Combine with Other Behaviours
Once “sniff” is reliable, pair it with cues like “wait.” For example, ask your dog to “wait” and release them with “sniff” as a reward. This builds the value of “wait” by linking it to an enjoyable, natural behaviour.

Remember to start small. Teach “wait” in a controlled environment first, then gradually add the challenge of combining it with scent work. This way, your dog can succeed at each step without feeling overwhelmed.

With practice, the “sniff” cue will become a wonderful tool in your training toolkit. In Part Two of this blog which will be published next month, we’ll dive deeper into breed-specific hunting techniques, covering Hunt Point Retrievers (HPRs), Spaniels, and Retrievers.

Want to learn more about the essential role hunting plays in your gundog's life and how you can work together to channel their instincts in a positive way? Head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-get-your-gundog-to-hunt-with-you-part-one

12/01/2025

Whether your dog is shy and cautious or bursting with energy, training isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each gundog has their own personality, strengths, and challenges – and recognising that is the key to success.

At Teach Your Gundog, we don’t just train dogs, we celebrate who they are and help you build their confidence and skills in a way that suits them.

Does your gundog have a unique personality that keeps you on your toes? Share a little about them in the comments – we’d love to hear about your training journey!

09/01/2025

Every gundog is unique. While they all share an instinctive drive to hunt, the part of the process that excites them most varies.

Some dogs thrive on the search, following a trail with focus. Others are energised by the chase, bursting into action, while some find the greatest reward in retrieving. Identifying what motivates your dog is key to using their instincts in training.

Start by observing them. Do they light up when sniffing out treats or focus on chasing movement? These insights will reveal what drives their energy and attention.

🐾 Search Enthusiasts: Dogs who love searching thrive on games like hide-and-seek with dummies or food. For them, the act of sniffing out a trail is its own reward.
🐾 Chase Lovers: Dogs motivated by movement enjoy dynamic activities like chasing a dragged dummy or following scent trails. The thrill of the chase is what keeps them engaged.

Motivation varies even within breeds – some retrievers love the run more than the retrieve! And preferences can change over time, so stay flexible. By adapting your training to what excites your dog most, you’ll keep them motivated and you can start to use scent as a self-rewarding behaviour.

Want to learn more about the essential role hunting plays in your gundog's life and how you can work together to channel their instincts in a positive way? Head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-get-your-gundog-to-hunt-with-you-part-one

06/01/2025

Here's what's coming up at Teach Your Gundog in January and February...

PUPPY GUNDOG
All breeds under 8 months. No experience required. Saturdays, 09:30-10:30, Haslemere
• 18 January
• 1 February
• 15 February

FOUNDATION GUNDOG
All breeds over 8 months. No experience required. Saturdays, 10:30-11:30, Haslemere
• 18 January
• 1 February
• 15 February

PROGRESSIVE BEGINNER FRIDAYS
For all breeds that have graduated the puppy/foundation/beginner classes and are working at a Grade 2 and 3 level.
Fridays, 11:00-12:00, Loxwood
• 17 January
• 31 January
• 14 February
• 28 February

PROGRESSIVE BEGINNER SATURDAYS
All breeds working at Grade 2/3 level. Must have attended our puppy/foundation sessions or had a 121 session before starting.
Saturdays, 11:30-13:00, Haslemere
• 18 January
• 1 February
• 15 February

PROGRESSIVE GUNDOG
For all breeds that are working at Grade 3 and 4 level.
Wednesdays, 10:00-11:30, Haslemere
• 8 January
• 22 January
• 5 February
• 19 February

ADVANCED SPANIEL
Open to spaniels working at Grade 4 and 5 level.
Fridays, 09:30-11:00, Loxwood
• 17 January
• 31 January
• 14 February
• 28 February

ADVANCED RETRIEVER
Open to retriever breeds working at Grade 4 and 5 level.
Fridays, 12:00-13:30, Loxwood
• 17 January
• 31 January
• 14 February
• 28 February

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

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

03/01/2025

If you have a gundog breed, you’ve probably noticed their unshakable focus on a scent, their determination to explore trails, or that sudden burst of energy when chasing movement.

These instincts are impressive but can be challenging for pet gundog owners who don’t want hunting machines. No matter how much training you do, your gundog’s hunting drive is part of who they are – deeply ingrained through centuries of breeding.

Hunting isn’t just a skill; it’s mentally stimulating and emotionally enriching. Activities like scenting release feel-good hormones, making it inherently rewarding for them.

Suppressing these instincts can lead to frustration and unwanted behaviours, but the good news is hunting doesn’t have to involve live game.

You can channel their drive into structured games that mimic hunting, offering safe and rewarding enrichment. By working as a team, your gundog will see you as their hunting partner, building trust, cooperation, and a stronger relationship.

Want to learn more about the essential role hunting plays in your gundog's life and how you can work together to channel their instincts in a positive way? Head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-get-your-gundog-to-hunt-with-you-part-one

📸 Alice Loder Photography

31/12/2024

As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome the New Year, I wanted to take a moment to wish you all the very best for 2025.

Whether this past year has been full of big achievements or quiet moments of progress, every step you’ve taken with your gundog matters and I’m so proud of what all my clients have accomplished.

The New Year is a fresh start, and it’s the perfect time to set exciting new training goals or even pick up your love for gundog training if it’s been on the back burner.

Remember, it’s never too late to rekindle a passion or to work towards that sharper steadiness, reliable recall, or tidy delivery to hand. With consistency and patience, anything is possible!

I’m so excited for what’s to come in 2025. With more classes, new workshops, and plenty of opportunities to help you and your gundog thrive, I can’t wait to continue being part of your training journey.

Here’s to a New Year filled with happy dogs, rewarding training sessions, and plenty of time outdoors together.

Warm wishes for a bright and brilliant 2025,
Jules

📸 Alice Loder Photography

28/12/2024

Hunting is at the very core of what makes a gundog, well, a gundog. It’s not simply a skill they learn - it’s an instinct woven into their DNA. Every gundog is born with a natural hunting drive, and understanding this is key to working effectively with your dog.

At the heart of hunting lies your dog’s remarkable sense of smell. Gundogs are equipped to detect both ground and air scents, making them highly effective hunters. Ground scent gives clues about where the game has been (e.g. tracks, feeding spots, or resting areas), while air scent tells your dog where the quarry is right now, carried on the wind.

The act of hunting is made up of a sequence of instinctive behaviours, including hunting, searching, locating, stalking, pausing, pouncing, chasing, capturing, carrying, and consuming.

This natural “hunting chain” flows effortlessly for gundogs, guided entirely by instinct. Recognising how this chain works allows you to understand and shape your dog’s natural drives.

For working gundogs, the hunting chain has been refined over generations of training and selective breeding to align with specific tasks in the field. This refined “working hunting chain” channels instinctive behaviours into purposeful, structured skills.

For example, pointers and setters have transformed the “pause” into a steady point, while retrievers have perfected the “carry” stage, mastering the art of retrieving.

The working hunting chain typically looks like this:
Hunt
Search
Locate
Stalk
Point (for pointing breeds)
Flush (followed by a gunshot)
Retrieve

Want to learn more about the essential role hunting plays in your gundog's life and how you can work together to channel their instincts in a positive way? Head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-get-your-gundog-to-hunt-with-you-part-one

25/12/2024

As the year comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you for being part of the Teach Your Gundog family this year.

Whether you and your pup joined us for your very first class or you continued to build on your skills in our advanced training group sessions, it’s been an absolute pleasure to guide you all on your gundog training journeys.

I’m delighted to share that our 2025 class dates are now live. I’ve also got some exciting bespoke workshops in the works to help you and your gundogs thrive in the year ahead.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Christmas full of joy and wagging tails. Thank you for supporting my business and choosing force-free training. Looking forward to seeing you in 2025.

Warmest wishes,
Jules

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Videos

Get It, Don’t Get It

The “” game is the foundation exercise we use in our classes to teach your gundog about self-control. It will become the backbone of all your steadiness training. There are a lot of layers to this process and many more steps to go through, but you need to teach this first. The main rules of this game are, no more than 10 repetitions in one session before having a break, and no more than two or three sessions in a day day. Also keep it random as it is important that your dog does not try to predict what is going to be cued. To read the step by step instructions head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-teach-your-gundog-steadiness

When teaching the stop whistle the first thing you will need to do is capture the stillness behaviour. In this video, you will see me practising with Otter - extending distance and making sure we don't introduce a creep forward. In this month's blog I've put together a step by step recipe on how you can do this. To read it in full head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-do-you-teach-your-gundog-the-stop-whistle

This is one of Otter’s favourite games, although I did play it recently with Raffle at a presentation I gave to the Dogs Trust. The stalking game is a beautiful game of self-control and partnership. There can be an air of competition between you and your gundog together with the anticipation of which article will be retrieved. Excellent self-control is also needed to turn away from the other anticipated item. It's a hugely fun game for both dog and handler. You may need to start this game on a lead or a handle fob until your dog understands the game. Step one Throw one article about 20 yards away. Then, begin walking with your dog as if you are stalking. The key here is to act as if you are really stalking towards the article, so think slowly and steadily. You can even lower yourself to their level and move your shoulders like they will be moving their front legs. Let your dog focus on the article ahead. When their eyes lock onto the object, you can release them with a “get it cue”. Step two Progress to two articles in opposite directions, 180 degrees apart. Start stalking towards one, then randomly turn and begin creeping towards the other. Do not rush your dog. They might find it difficult to turn away from the original target at this stage. A steady fob will help with this. Once they do and they commit their focus to the second target, you can release them to retrieve it. Step three Once you have built some fluency in step two, you can add more articles to this game and have some real fun stalking towards articles before turning to stalk another, and maybe another, before releasing your dog. To read more about playing with your gundog, head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/can-you-play-with-your-gundog