Completely Gundogs

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Completely Gundogs

Gundog training holidays, masterclasses and 121 sessions held online and in Mid Wales.
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12/08/2024

Working tests are not training days. But they are essential when it comes to making progress in your training.

While it's great to win, it's a cracking opportunity to work your dogs on different ground and test where they’re at while getting feedback from judges.

They're one of the best ways to assess where you're at with your training and make a list of the gaps in your dog's knowledge which you can follow up and work out which direction you need to progress your training.

I know that it takes real courage to put yourself and your dog forward like that.

And one of the biggest things which puts people off entering is the competitive nature of the day. Especially if you are competing in ND/NH but are 'rubbing shoulders' with those in open.

But if this is you, I just want to remind you that these people are not your competition. They're proof of what's possible.

And while your first test may feel awkward and embarrassing, with time you will get better at handling, and training, and your confidence will grow.

Are you entering your first working tests this year? Let me know in the comments...

📸 Darryl Owen Photography

09/08/2024

Our Working Test Workshops comprise of two days of gundog training followed by the opportunity to enter the Mid Wales Working Gundog Society Working Test.

On Friday and Saturday the training focus will be on helping you and your dog to get in sync and in the zone ready for the working test on Sunday.

Exercises will be planned with typical working test scenarios in mind. Collette will be able to help guide you as to the best way to approach these set ups and will give feedback on performance.

Typically, this will include expanding your dog's skills of marking, taking memories and blinds in different and diverse terrain.

It will also improve your handler skills, particularly in being able to think on your feet if things aren't quite going to plan.

Finally, time permitting, there will be a debrief on Sunday afternoon where Collette will be able to troubleshoot any issues which arose at the test.

Gundogs attending should be ready to enter a working test at novice level. This means they will have a reliable recall, good off lead heelwork, a stop whistle at distance, understanding of left, right and back directional casts, a reliable delivery to hand, and steadiness.

Working Test Workshops
· 7-9 March 2025 - Retrievers
· 21-23 March 2025 - Spaniel
· 12-14 September 2025 - Retrievers
· 26-28 September 2025 - Spaniel

Just a quick reminder that the working test workshops don't include your entry to the working test - you'll need to arrange that directly with the Mid Wales Working Gundog Society. It's easy to do and we can help you with your entry forms if needed.

For more information head to https://www.completelygundogs.co.uk/courses/2025-working-test-workshops

07/08/2024

I am incredibly excited to announce that Gemma, who many of you will know as one of our very skilled and knowledgeable gundog holiday assistants, has joined Completely Gundog as a trainer.

Gemma has her own training business AC Gundogs in the New Forest and grew up on a shoot so has plenty of experience teaching as well as training and working gundogs.

Gemma's first dog, a beautiful wire-haired Hungarian Vizsla named Rizla was not just a pet, he was her partner in the field. Training him was a journey of discovery, filled with challenges and wins that taught Gemma the importance of patience, consistency, and understanding the unique personality of each dog.

Gemma currently has Spook a Working Cocker, Remi a Korthals Griffon, Gwen a Lab and Ody a Dalmatian. Her philosophy is positive reinforcement, creating a supportive and encouraging environment where dogs can thrive.

"Training gundogs is not just a profession for me; it is a passion that infuses every aspect of my life. I am continually inspired by the dedication and resilience of these remarkable animals and the joy they bring to their handlers. The journey of training a gundog is one of mutual respect and partnership, and I am grateful every day to be a part of it," said Gemma.

Gemma will be heading up some of our all breed novice and intermediate spaniel holidays in 2025.

I hope you'll join me in wishing her a warm welcome!

And if you'd like more information about the 2025 gundog training holidays, head to
https://www.completelygundogs.co.uk/courses/2025-gundog-training-holidays

📸 Darryl Owen Photography

05/08/2024

Group gundog training holidays are not for everyone.

A lot of people have reached out recently to say that they are interested in our gundog holidays but don't think that their dog will be able to cope in a group.

I want to let you know that it's perfectly normal.

The dates might not work for you, or you might not want to do three full days of training either.

For those who want to train here on my grounds, whether you're local, just here for the day, or want to book a stay in one of the Mid Wales Holiday cottages to get your gundog training ‘holiday’ fix, you can also book private 121 training lessons with me.

We can focus the sessions on troubleshooting a specific problem you're having, or I can help you push your gundog training on by setting up some scenarios and exercises using the amazing facilities here.

I don’t typically bring my dogs out while I am instructing, as the training is all about you and your dog, but if you do want to work on honouring and being steady while another dog is working, then I do have some reliable stooge dogs we can work with.

During their stay, most handlers will choose to do a couple of sessions in the morning each day and then use the grounds for private practice in the afternoon.

If you would like more information about booking a group or private gundog training holiday here at Completely Gundogs, please email me (Collette) on [email protected] with a rough idea of what you’re looking for and when you’d like to come.

02/08/2024

Our 2025 gundog training holiday dates are now open to bookings...

This year both the intermediate and advanced level holidays have been split into retrievers and spaniels.

I am also very excited to announce that Gemma, who many of you will know as one of our very skilled and knowledgeable assistants, will be heading up some of our novice and intermediate spaniel holidays in 2025.

Gemma has her own training business in the New Forest and grew up on a shoot so has plenty of experience teaching as well as training and working gundogs.

Gundog Training Holidays
· 4-6 April 2025 - Novice, G2-G3 - All breeds - with Collette
· 14-16 April 2025 - Intermediate, G3-G4 - Spaniels only - with Gemma
· 16-18 May 2025 - Novice, G2-G3 - All breeds - with Gemma
· 23-25 May 2025 - Advanced, G4-G5 - Retrievers only - with Collette
· 9-13 June 2025 - Intermediate, G3-G4 - Retrievers only - with Collette (5 day)
· 20-22 June 2025 - Novice, G2-G3 - All breeds - with Gemma
· 4-6 July 2025 - Intermediate, G3-G4 - Spaniels only - with Collette
· 21-23 July 2025 - Intermediate, G3-G4 - Retrievers only - with Collette
· 11-13 August 2025 - Novice, G2-G3 - All breeds - with Collette
· 22-24 August 2025 - Intermediate, G3-G4 - Retrievers only - with Gemma
· 10-12 October 2025 - Advanced, G4-G5 - Retrievers only - with Collette
· 20-22 October 2025 - Intermediate, G3-G4 - Spaniels only - with Gemma
· 7-9 November 2025 - Intermediate, G3-G4 - Retrievers only - with Collette

Working Test Workshops
· 7-9 March 2025 - Retrievers
· 21-23 March 2025 - Spaniel
· 12-14 September 2025 - Retrievers
· 26-28 September 2025 - Spaniel

Training is from £105-£115 per day, with accommodation ranging from £50 per night to £127 per night.

To book, please DM me. I like to ensure that your gundog will be at the right level for the planned training activities on the holiday of your choice. I'll either send you a booking link, or suggest another holiday which might be more suited to your level.

📸 Darryl Owen Photography

31/07/2024

If you're an experienced group of gundog training friends or trialers, or you're a professional gundog trainer and you want to bring your own clients, we'd love to host you here too.

Our ground has been selected as a venue for both spaniel and retriever working tests and provides ample opportunities to test dogs of all abilities.

You and your private group will have access to:
One rough wood with dense cover and cleared tracks for handlers. Great for spaniels.
One open wood with a wide, clear avenue through.
Two height-adjustable log jumps into the open wood.
Two grass fields with mown strips, reedy grass areas for hunting and undulation.
One round jumping pen.
One cover crop field.
One medium size pond in the main field with gentle, sloped entry on one side. Fenced either side to discourage dogs running around.
One small pond with island.
Full and half-height stock fencing with barbed wire removed for jumping.
One enclosed agricultural barn with water and electricity, and seating for 14.
One open agricultural barn for sheltered training, or undercover parking.
Toilet and shower block.
Starlink WiFi access in the holiday cottages, training barn and caravans.

There is also the option to hire our equipment, e.g. dummy launchers, bang box, bolting rabbit, ball dropper etc.

Depending on dates, I can set up drills and scenarios, put blinds out and throw marks so you'll all get to enjoy training.

There is also the potential to use my off-site training grounds which include much more challenging mountain terrain which are used as part of a large commercial shoot during the season.

The on-site self-catering accommodation will take 8-14 people. If you want to bring a larger group, there are plenty of other tried and tested dog-friendly accommodation options nearby too.

Have other questions about our gundog training holidays? I've put together some FAQs in this month's blog.

To read in full head to: https://www.completelygundogs.co.uk/blog/gundog-training-holidays-what-s-the-deal

29/07/2024

Did you know that if a dog feels in control, you have a better chance of reducing frustration?

Think about how you feel waiting in a queue, where you can see how many people are in front of you and how fast the line is moving, versus being placed on hold on the phone, where you can't see what is happening on the other end.

Neither is ideal, but one is certainly more stressful than the other.

Like us, gundogs appreciate predictability.

One of the things high drive gundog find really challenging is waiting their turn in a group situation. So one of the best ways to avoid frustration is to start small, with just one other dog and take turns, one at a time.

Let me know in the comments if your gundog struggles to watch other dogs retrieving...

26/07/2024

Our 2025 gundog training holiday dates have this week been released to Completely Gundog Members.

I know many of you like to be prepared and get things in the diary and so I've decided to release the 2025 dates slightly earlier than usual.

This year both the intermediate and advanced level holidays have been split into retrievers and spaniels. It's proved incredibly successful this year and by the time we get to the higher levels it really does make sense to focus exclusively on breed specific activities so that you and your dog can get more value out of your time here.

I am also very excited to announce that Gemma, who many of you will know as one of our very skilled and knowledgeable assistants, will be heading up some our novice and intermediate spaniel holidays in 2025.

Gemma has her own training business in the New Forest and grew up on a shoot so has plenty of experience teaching as well as training and working gundogs.

Members get a week's priority access to reserve their spaces and accommodation. We will then open up to everyone on Wednesday 31 July.

If you can't wait and would like first dibs on the dates and accommodation, you can sign up to the membership today.

Prices start at £15 per month and you'll also get access to hundreds of gundog training videos, as well as personalised advice from me, depending on what level you opt for.

Head to www.completelygundogs.co.uk/courses/monthly-membership

Or feel free to DM me for more information.

📸 Darryl Owen Photography

24/07/2024

As well as Completely Gundogs, I also run a holiday cottage business Mid Wales Holidays.

Handlers are welcome to book our self-cater accommodation which includes Penrhyllan, the one-bed modern barn conversion which sleep up to 4, Y Beudy, the two-bed cottage which sleeps up to 5, or our two touring caravans.

I always block out extra nights either side of the gundog holidays to ensure handlers can stay the night before and on the last day if they wish and some on the three day holidays also choose to extend their stay for the whole week.

If all our Mid Wales Holidays accommodation is fully booked, there are plenty of dog-friendly BnBs locally too, which we can recommend based on previous clients' experiences.

Provided you choose suitably sized accommodation, you are welcome to bring family, partners, or friends to stay with you.

We now also have Starlink WiFi, which covers the cottages, barns, and caravans. This is useful for people who want to work remotely while you are training during the day.

Or there are tons of things for them to see and do in the local area - you might also want to check them out too.

Just 10 minutes down the road is Llanidloes (voted one of the most desirable places to live in Wales), a very pretty old Welsh market town, with a friendly community, lots of unique shops and places to eat and drink.

Newtown, Machynlleth, Rhayader and Builth Wells are all within driving distance too, as are Shrewsbury and Ludlow to the East.

Local attractions include Gregynog Hall and Powys Castle, plus there is access to steam train rides, canal boat trips, golf, clay pigeon shooting, simulated game shooting, driven game shooting (during the season), cycling, and horse riding.

There are numerous lovely walks and woodland areas to explore right on our doorstep. We’re located within easy travelling distance of Hafren Forest, Clywedog Reservoir, Elan Valley, and multiple nature reserves.

If you want to go further afield, Aberystwyth and the stunning Welsh Cambrian coastline and beaches are less than an hour’s scenic drive away with plenty of stunning scenery and a traditional town with unique shops. Many areas of outstanding natural beauty, the incredible Snowdonia National Park and the Brecon Beacons are not far either if you fancy more to explore.

Have other questions about our gundog training holidays? I've put together some FAQs in this month's blog. To read in full head to: https://www.completelygundogs.co.uk/blog/gundog-training-holidays-what-s-the-deal

22/07/2024

Gundog training certainly has it's ups and downs.

You fix one behaviour and notice another gap in your training.

You win a novice working test and are now faced with the challenge of open.

It can seem like you're never quite where you want to be.

But if it’s important to you, you’ll find a way to keep pushing forwards.

How are you getting on with your gundog training at the moment? Let me know in the comments below.

📸 Darryl Owen Photography

19/07/2024

What about if your dog caught themselves on barbed wire while you were out picking up or beating - if they had an arterial bleed, how would you react?

Who would help your dog if they were hit by a car or started choking and required CPR? Would you know what to do?

Accidents are just that - unplanned.

But knowing what to do in an emergency, learning the skills and techniques - that is not an accident.

While we hope we never have to use it, having an understanding of canine first aid could save your gundog's life.

It is the difference between being panic stricken when the worst happens, to being able to react calmly and rationally to take early action, ensuring our dogs are given the best possible chance of survival.

No one wants to stand there, watching their dog suffer, wishing there was more they could have done.

Which is why our special two hour masterclass replay "Essential Gundog First Aid" with guest speaker Vicky Payne could save a life.

This will be a whistle stop tour of the most important first aid techniques to get your injured dog from the field to the vets in the best possible condition.

If you would like to be your dog’s hero, click here to watch the masterclass replay today: https://www.completelygundogs.co.uk/courses/firstaid

17/07/2024

As a rough guide, the novice and intermediate holidays are suitable for all breeds of gundogs working at Grade 2 to Grade 3 level.

For those not familiar with The Gundog Club Graded Assessment Scheme levels, gundogs attending the novice and intermediate holidays should ideally have:
• a reliable recall,
• basics off lead heelwork,
• started training a stop whistle,
• understanding of left, right and back direction casts,
• been introduced to blind retrieves,
• a basic delivery, and
• some steadiness.

As a rough guide, the advanced holidays are suitable for retriever breeds only working at Grade 4 to Grade 5 level. Those attending should have:
• a solid recall,
• good off lead heelwork,
• a stop whistle at a distance,
• understanding of left, right and back direction casts,
• confident outrun on blinds,
• a reliable delivery to hand, and
• good steadiness.

An important note on shot...
I often use starter pistols, bang boxes and dummy launchers on the holidays, particularly for the intermediate and advanced groups. As such, dogs attending the higher level holidays should be happy and confident with the sound of shot. While not essential, it is also preferable that dogs attending the novice level holidays have been introduced to shot at least once before attending.

I do ask that everyone gets in touch before booking so that I can do my best to ensure that you end up on the right holiday.

Have other questions about our gundog training holidays? I've put together some FAQs in this month's blog. To read in full head to the "Blog" link in bio.

📸 Darryl Owen Photography

15/07/2024

Let's face it, as much as our friends and family pretend they're interested, they haven't got a clue what it means when you tell them you nailed a stop whistle while sending your dog out to a memory AND then managed to cast them right on to a blind.

Talking about even the smallest of successes with fellow gundog trainers can make the journey even more enjoyable, rewarding and fulfilling.

AND if training didn't quite go to plan (it happens to us all), having a trusted network you can talk to is not only great for getting things off your chest, but is also one of the best ways to find the right advice to help you move forward.

Do you have gundog 'besties' on speed dial? Tag them in the comments...

12/07/2024

There is one space left on the last intermediate gundog holiday of 2024.

When: 25, 26, 27th October 2024 - Friday to Sunday
Level: Intermediate all breeds, G3-G4
Where: Coed Y Gaer Fawr, Llandinam, Powys, Wales, SY17 5AZ

There is currently 1 handler space available. Those wanting to stay on-site can choose from Y Beudy or camping. There are plenty of offsite dog-friendly BnBs nearby too, if you don't mind staying off-site.

The level is a good novice / intermediate or grade 3/4 level.

All breeds welcome.

Gundogs attending will ideally have:
• a reliable recall,
• reasonably good off-lead heelwork,
• a stop whistle at a reasonable distance,
• understanding of left, right and back directional casts,
• reliable delivery to hand,
• and steadiness.

Your dog should also be happy with the sound of shot as we often use starter pistols, bang boxes and dummy launchers.

Over the 3 days, you will be improving your knowledge and understanding of training and working a gundog.

Dogs will be expanding on their skills of marking, taking memories and blinds in different and diverse terrains.

There might be opportunities for a water training session, a walked-up scenario in cover, a cold game session, and remote dummy launchers.

The social side of the holiday is as important as the training to most handlers so we try to go out to a local pub or restaurant one night for dinner too.

If you are interested in coming on this holiday, please message me.

10/07/2024

At Completely Gundogs, I offer a range of three day gundog training holidays at my grounds near Newtown, in Mid Wales.

The holidays are split into different levels to accommodate novice, intermediate and advanced gundogs.

All gundog breeds are welcome on our novice and intermediate holidays, which are both mixed-breed groups.

As a retriever specialist myself, having always worked and competed at tests and trials with my Labradors, our advanced gundog holidays are open to retriever breeds only.

On day one of all the holidays, we start with introductions so we can all learn a little bit about each other’s dogs, their experience level and training goals.

We then move to the top fields to do some basic obedience work so that the dogs begin to settle in the environment and around a new group of dogs. There will usually be some marked retrieves to gauge where the group is at with steadiness and delivery to hand before breaking for lunch.

The rest of the holiday is then very much geared to the dogs and what handlers want and need to work on. The grounds I have here allow for so many different training scenarios and exercises to be set up.

Over the three days, we will work to ensure that the dogs are able to expand on their skills of marking, taking memories and blinds. We will generally look at retrieving over obstacles, hunting and holding an area, stopping and handling, as well as the usual heelwork, delivery and steadiness. There are usually walked-up scenarios in cover crops and our woods and water training sessions.

Depending on the time of year, and weather, the intermediate and advanced holidays will also include an off-site training session.

I am very grateful to have permission to use two fantastic pieces of land. One is up the mountain with incredible panoramic views for the handlers, and the other is part of a large commercial shoot. Both allow the dogs to work in a more diverse range of terrain and provide the opportunity for more challenging training scenarios.

On the last day, there might be opportunities for a cold game session and remote dummy launchers.

Have other questions about our gundog training holidays? I've put together some FAQs in this month's blog. To read in full head to: https://www.completelygundogs.co.uk/blog/gundog-training-holidays-what-s-the-deal

08/07/2024

When you're competing with your dogs, the judges will give your dog so long to pick and if they can’t find then you'll need to recall them back.

Equally, if your dog has lost their head in a training class you might also just want to get them back to stop them from eventually coming across the dummy and self rewarding.

I often talk about the important of teaching an 'emergency recall' and a recall from distraction.

Even if you don't plan on competing with your dogs this exercise can help to build resilience too.

Dogs can go flat and some sensitive characters get easily upset and disengage when they feel like they have done a bad job.

But if you pair coming off a un-found retrieve with something amazing (like the opportunity to chase a ball behind you) then it can improve the dog's ability to cope with disappointment, will no longer be punishing and will strengthen your working relationship too.

📸 Darryl Owen Photography

05/07/2024

Join us for a 3-day Gundog Training Holiday in Mid Wales from 5-7 August 2024.

When: 5-7 August 2024
Level: Novice, all breeds, G2-G3
Where: Coed Y Gaer Fawr, Llandinam, Powys, Wales, SY17 5AZ

You and your young dog will improve your knowledge and gain hands-on experience working on marking, taking memories, and blinds in diverse terrains.

Plus, weather permitting, there will be opportunities for a cold game session, water training, walked up scenarios and more.

Suitable for all breeds of gundogs working at the Gundog Club Grade 2 to Grade 3 level, these novice holidays are perfect for those who have a reliable recall, started basics of off-lead heelwork and have an understanding of the stop whistle, directions and steadiness.

There is only one space left and Y Beudy or caravan accommodation available.

To ensure that your dog is at the right level, please contact me via direct message and I will send you a booking link.

03/07/2024

A gundog training holiday is a unique and immersive experience for gundog handlers who want to combine a few days of group training on new and challenging ground with a relaxing getaway.

Training takes place during the day, at Completely Gundogs our gundog training holidays run from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, leaving you free to explore the local area, put your feet up, do some training with your other dogs, or catch up on work if needed in the evenings.

A gundog training holiday is designed to let you spend some uninterrupted, quality time working your dog.

You will be able to enjoy the ‘fruits of your labour’, seeing all the training you’ve put into them so far paying off.

Doing several consecutive days of training with your dog is also a fantastic way to help you identify any weak areas that might not get picked up on in short class sessions or when you’re training on your own.

There might be gaps in your dog’s understanding, they might just need more experience on different ground, or it could be something you are doing as a handler.

A good trainer will spot these on day one and can spend the following training days coaching you through, giving you practical exercises and tips to implement immediately on the holiday and when you return home.

Have other questions about our gundog training holidays? I've put together some FAQs in this month's blog. To read in full head to: https://www.completelygundogs.co.uk/blog/gundog-training-holidays-what-s-the-deal

01/07/2024

You can also this use for dogs who you struggle to handle at distance. Pushing them back through a bunker or past a distraction while they’re still running instead of stopping them and giving a back cue.

The best way to teach this is with the ladder drill.

As they run through the scent of the previous dummy you can encourage them back by repeating your sending cue.

So if you normally say "get on" or "go back" you can repeat this cue to push them on.

They will then be rewarded as they find the next dummy in the ladder.

If you have a dog with a confident outrun, you'll probably want to skip this because you don’t want to get into the habit of adding unnecessary cues.

28/06/2024

If you're a group of gundog friends or trialers, due to a cancellation, we have a very rare last minute opportunity to book both our Mid Wales Holidays holiday cottages from 28th July to 2nd August.

This would give you exclusive access to the whole site. Our ground has been used as a venue for both spaniel and retriever working tests and provides ample opportunities to test dogs of all abilities.

Y Beudy, our 2-bed cottage, sleeps up to 5 including a sofa bed.
Penrhyllan, our 1-bed barn conversion, sleeps up to 4 including a sofa bed.

Both properties are self catered and include everything you need, plus Starlink WiFi.

For more information about bringing a training group please DM me or email me on [email protected]

📸 Darryl Owen Photography

26/06/2024

Our 2024 gundog training holidays are in full swing and I will soon be putting together the dates for 2025.

People are often very excited about the thought of booking a gundog training holiday but have lots of questions about what it involves, if it’s right for them and their dog, where they can stay and if they can bring their partner, and what to do if they can’t make any of the dates.

In this month's blog, I’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions I get about the gundog training holidays. If you are contemplating booking or organising one for next year, I hope you will find it useful.

To read in full head to:
https://www.completelygundogs.co.uk/blog/gundog-training-holidays-what-s-the-deal

17/06/2024

Want to join us? DM me.

There is one space remaining on our last advanced retriever gundog holiday of the year.

Our advanced 3-day holidays are designed to help you push your gundog training to the next level.

In October too we'll have a lot of pheasant and partridge on our ground so it's a great opportunity to proof behaviours around scent and potentially live game.

You and your dog will be with like-minded individuals looking to push on and develop retrieves in diverse, and sometimes challenging terrains.

You will need to have:
a reliable recall
good off lead heelwork
a stop whistle at distance
understanding of left, right and back directional casts
a reliable delivery to hand
and most importantly, steadiness.

Your dog should also be happy with the sound of shot as we often use starter pistols, bang boxes and dummy launchers.

Suitable for retrieving breeds only. There is one dog and handler places left with caravan accommodation, plus we can recommend lots of dog friendly B&Bs nearby too.

To ensure that your dog is at the right level, please contact me via direct message and I will send you a booking link.

14/06/2024

It's also about learning to become the type of handler who is capable of training a gundog to the highest standards.

📸Darryl Owen Photography

12/06/2024

I use some more advanced gundog training equipment on our gundog training holidays. All are incredibly effective, but they are not necessary investments for individual gundog owners.

Starter pistols help teach our dogs to associate the sound of shot with retrieving or stopping if you have spaniels.

You need to proof your gundog’s behaviour around shot, but it is also incredibly important that puppies and young dogs are introduced to the sound in the right way to prevent them from becoming gun shy.

I also have something called a ‘bang box’ which, as the name suggests, is a small box which can be placed out and will remotely fire a blank at the push of a button.

This is great for setting out blind retrieves and using the sound to draw the dog’s attention to a certain location without having a person obviously standing there with a starter pistol.

Remote and hand-held dummy launchers are also used to help replicate the sort of retrieves our dogs will encounter in the shooting field. For the more advanced groups of dogs too, these can be set off while the dog is on the way back from a retrieve to ensure that they wouldn’t drop and swap a runner if you had to send them while the drive was still ongoing.

It can be challenging for individual gundog owners to find suitable places to use such equipment, which all fire blanks but could scare unassuming members of the public.

If you do have access to suitably located private ground and you do decide to invest in a starter pistol or dummy launcher, you must ensure you adhere to the laws surrounding imitation fi****ms at all times.

Finally, on the advanced equipment front, I am very fortunate to have a custom-made bolting rabbit. This is most effective when it is set up in our woodland and can really help with steadiness training. To get the most out of this, less really is more, as once the dogs realise that the bunny is not real, it loses its potency.

If you are booked onto our 2024 gundog training holidays or working test workshops you’ll get an opportunity to see all of this equipment in action. I have also restocked our small ‘shop’ where you can purchase leads, whistles and a selection of gundog training dummies.

If you would like more information about our training holidays, or you would like to bring your own private group to make use of our ground and the equipment we have here, please email me on [email protected]

Address

Shrewsbury
SY

Website

http://www.completelygundogs.co.uk/

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Message me or visit our website to find out more and book. If there’s no accommodation suitable for you on site, we can recommend a couple of very good self catering dog friendly options nearby.

Ever thought about coming on one of the Completely Gundogs 5-day gundog training holidays but aren’t sure about what to do on the day off in the middle? Here’s some inspiration if you’re staying with us Mid Wales Holidays P.s. There is still one place left on our 5 dayer from 5-9 June. Message me for more details.......#gundogtrainingholiday #gundogintraining #positivegundogtraining #positivgundogtraining #bestgundogstraining #gundogsintraining #nextgenerationgundogtraining #gundogtraining #gundogtrainer #retrievertraining #gundogsofinstagram #gundog #gundogs #gundogtrainingmidwales #gundogoftheday #midwalesgundogholiday #midwalesgundogtrainer

Another blinking awesome gundog holiday in the bag! 🙌🏼 If you’re interested in learning more about the training holidays, the different levels and dates for 2023 please message me or head to www.completelygundogs.co.uk

If you plan to work your dogs on game, it is inevitable that they will one day have to deal with a runner. You may have watched the bird fall, or be told roughly where it came down. It is then down to your dog to do the rest. One of my favourite exercises to help teach your dog this concept is to lay a long scent trail. This can be done by simply dragging a dummy, or cold game along the ground. The idea is that you send your dog to the area of the "fall", then hunt them, and leave them to it. They should, in theory, pick up the scent trail and follow it at speed until they find, pick and return. Have you ever tried anything like this before? Let me know in the comments. And if you are looking for more advanced training exercises and ideas, why not join my advanced online Zoom course? Three exercises will be set every 2 weeks. The level is for Gundog Club Grades 3-5 and all exercises can be adjusted to suit your dog's level. You are invited to a weekly zoom meeting, which will take place on Wednesdays at 7:00pm, where you can discuss your progress and ask questions. There is also a private Facebook group where you can post your other questions, your own video attempts and support others in the group. This is an ongoing course - there is no set start or end date. Simply sign up whenever suits you. Message me for details, or head to the website...https://www.completelygundogs.co.uk/courses/grade-3-zoom

Why is the stop whistle so difficult... is a question I often get from my members. So this month I have set them a challenge. It involves kibble spread out on the floor, the hunt whistle and the stop whistle. Here is one of our members absolutely nailing it with her young black lab... Unless you spill a bag of food everywhere, it’s unlikely you'll need this in real life. But imagine that food is dummy / game scent... which is equally, if not more distracting and tempting to your dog. You will want to stop your dog when it's hunting. And you will want them to be able to listen to you, and either be redirected or recalled. My approach to training, as you know, is all about setting the dog up to win, praising when they get it right, and just resetting when if it doesn't go to plan. No need for shouting or corrections. By using food first, we can start to teach them this new "game" without the risk that they will find the dummy, or self reward with continued hunting. Once they understand the basics, then we can build up to real life scenarios. Do you use food in your training as a distraction? Let me know in the comments. p.s. if you want to get involved in the stop whistle challenge in the membership, then more information about what's included can be found over on: www.completelygundogs.co.uk/courses/monthly-membership

I have to confess, I was never quite sure I would ever make it to a shoot with Loki. That was the goal when I rehomed him last November from a busy family with small children who were struggling with his bogging off habits. I knew he had the makings of a cracking gundog. BUT he came to me with a high prey drive, huge desire to chase wildlife and kill it too. Obviously no recall in those situations and not great on lead. It was going to be a challenge. Not only was Loki the first dog I rehomed, but my first spaniel too. As a trainer, I knew it was important to understand the breed better to better help my clients. Plus, there's a lot of heavy cover on the shoot in Wales and having a team of just two labs is not ideal. Some of you may remember the early videos I posted when he had to be kept on a long line. That needed to be turned around. I discovered he was gunshy. I needed to see if I could get him over that. I found out that he would run off with cold game or would peg live game and try and rip it apart. That needed sorting. It's been almost a year, but we've got there. It was a scary moment letting him off lead that first day at the shoot, but each time we go picking up he makes such an improvement. He is only 2 and I am so proud of him. He hunts so well, is quiet during the drive, travels great with the other dogs and even retrieves partridge to hand! Love this dog and so lucky to have him in my life. Will you be taking your dog out for the first time this season? Let me know... p.s. if you have always wondered what it would be like to work your dog on a shoot but are not sure how to get involved or what it's all about, I am hosting a special masterclass this Wednesday (22 September) which is going to be a beginner's guide to working your dog on a shoot. To book your place just click here: https://www.completelygundogs.co.uk/courses/working-your-dog-on-a-shoot . . . . #gundoghunting #gundog #grouptraining #membership #gundogs #dogtrainingtip

There’s nothing like the feeling I get when I’m sat up here with a glass of something cold – usually a crisp white wine, or a beer – taking in the views. Except maybe the feeling I get when I dog training… There’s nothing I love more than seeing my clients making progress and working through challenges with their dogs, while both of them are having fun at the same time. Do you have a favourite place to sit with your dogs and watch the world go by? p.s. if you're worried about getting your dogs ready for the shooting season, and want to come and proof your training on some 'gamey' ground, why not book a stay @midwalesholidays and add on some 121 training sessions while you're here? DM me for details. . . . . . #gundogsofinstagram #gundogtraining #gundog #dogtrainingtips #positivedogtraining #forcefree #forcefreetraining #dogtrainersofinstagram #forcefreedogtraining #workinggundog #membershiptraining #gundogs #workingholiday #dogholiday #midwales #dogfriendlyhotel #dogholidays #workingholidays #dogfriendlyholidays #holidaytraining #dogfriendlyholiday #workingdogtraining

If I could take a snapshot of tomorrow’s to-do list, it’d look a bit like this: ✅ Saying goodbye to the gundog holiday guests ✅ Training with Grace (I’ve just entered her into a novice field trial) ✅ Two 20 min zoom calls with two of my VIP members to discuss their training and keep them moving forward. ✅ Meeting with the architect to discuss plans for extended the guest room which is currently known as the courtyard room. I love the life I’ve built in Wales. And even more so that I get to share it with so many fabulous gundog owners who come to visit for their holidays – with and without training. How is your week going? What are you grateful for? p.s. if you're worried about getting your dogs ready for the shooting season, and want to come and proof your training on some 'gamey' ground, why not book a stay @midwalesholidays and add on some 121 training sessions while you're here? DM me for details.

Long blind retrieve

Great job Ceildhe and Margaret on this built up long blind retrieve over a fence at our ground.

Use one word (or gif) to describe how you’re feeling about gundog training at the moment. Pop it in the comments below… Collette x p.s. if you feel like you’ve lost your mojo, or that training is a bit lacklustre at the moment, why not join our monthly membership? As well as an exclusive community of like-minded trainers, you’ll also get access to training drills, members calls, discounts and priority booking for our popular gundog holidays. Let me know if you want more information.

The other week one of my lovely members came up to stay for a few nights in our holiday cottage @midwalesholidays with her two gorgeous Labradors. Not only did we manage to fit in some really productive 121 training sessions with both dogs, but she also had time to explore the local area. This beautiful forest and reservoir are right on our doorstep and are perfect walking trails for some peaceful, relaxing downtime with your gundogs. Collette x p.s. If you want to know more about the gundog training packages we offer alongside booking with Mid Wales Holidays, just drop me a message and I can run through the options with you.