Helen Phillips Clicker Gundog

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Helen Phillips Clicker Gundog

Helen Phillips is the author of the popular gundog training book "CLICKER GUNDOG".

Gundogs have inherited specialised skills that have been honed over hundreds of generations. Helen Phillips has been taking this natural skill, enhancing it and using it to enrich a working partnership that is a joy to experience. Good field work is built on an understanding of the dog's ability to maintain self control and the handler's ability to understand this and the environment. With Clicker

Training your gundog you can learn how to develop a partnership using positive training in depth. Learn how to use careful planning so that you build a high level of control that exceeds the stimuli of the hunt and shoot. Clicker Gundog has developed a range of workshops and seminars to help teach these skills to both the handler and the dog. The seminars and workshops are held at a training facility that has been developed especially for the purpose and incorporates a working shoot so that both dogs and handlers new to the sport can experience what a shoot is all about, and those with experience can then practice their skill in the working environment.

05/01/2025

We’ve got an incredible line-up of training opportunities to help you and your gundog kick off the year with confidence.

Here’s what’s coming up at the Clicker Gundog Training Centre in Charlton, Worcestershire in January and February:

📅 January Highlights
Group Shoot Over Days: Saturdays – 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
HPR Training: Sunday 5th January at 9am
Retriever Skills: Sunday 5th January at 1pm
Beginner Gundog Evening Classes: Wednesdays, starting 8th January
Puppy Gundog: Sunday 12th January at 9am
Beginner & Pet Gundog: Sunday 12th January at 1pm
Graduate Foundation: Sunday 26th January at 9am
Hunting Retriever Group: Sunday 26th January at 1pm

📅 February Highlights
HPR Training: Sunday 2nd February at 9am
Retriever Skills (all breeds): Sunday 2nd February at 1pm
Puppy Gundog: Sunday 9th February at 9am
Beginner & Pet Gundog: Sunday 9th February at 1pm
Pet Gundog Day: Saturday, 8th February
Graduate Foundation: Sunday 16th February at 9am
Hunting Retriever Group: Sunday 16th February at 1pm
Introduction to Shot Workshop: Saturday 22nd February at 9am

🌟 Don’t Miss Out! 🌟
Spaces fill quickly, so book early to secure your spot and start 2025 with progress, fun, and success for you and your gundog. Let’s make this a year of steady, confident dogs and happy handlers.

For booking and more information, visit https://clickergundog.co.uk/collections/all

03/01/2025

Rearing pheasants is a year-round commitment that requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the birds’ needs.

At Clicker Gundog, this process is overseen by our gamekeeper, Chris, whose duties, as you’ll see in the Pheasant Diaries video, begin well before the birds arrive.

Preparing the pens involves everything from clearing brambles and strimming vegetation to repairing fences and setting up the watering stations. This groundwork ensures the pens are secure and ready to provide the right shelter and resources for the pheasants as they settle in.

Once the poults arrive, the focus shifts to keeping them safe, fed and watered.

Chris is often seen “dogging in”, which involves walking the birds back toward the pens when they start to wander too far. Jack, Wren, Dibble and Teal play an integral role in this process. While Chris patrols the pens and surrounding areas, the dogs assist by gently guiding the pheasants back to their enclosure.

Over the months, Chris remains vigilant. From maintaining cover crops to protecting the birds from predators and managing risks like disease, his role is both varied and demanding.

Every detail from the type of feeders introduced to the timing of evening walks plays a part in ensuring the pheasants are healthy and well-prepared for their role in training shoots.

Want to learn more about our training shoot and how we rear pheasants? Head to https://clickergundog.co.uk/blogs/news/behind-the-scenes-with-gamekeeper-chris

Already enjoyed the blog? Please don't forget to vote for us as Best Game Educator in the 2025 Awards.

Having been nominated, we're thrilled to have made it to the public voting stage and would appreciate your support to getting to the final: https://eatgame.co.uk/eat-game-awards/voting/

📸 Alice Loder Photography

31/12/2024

As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to think about your next steps with your dog. Whether you’re aiming to refine a behaviour you've been struggling with, if you want to take your dog on their first shoot, or are looking to provide a more enriching outlet for your pet gundog's natural instincts, set a goal and go for it - we’ll be here to help you achieve it.

Our training dates for 2025 are now live, with sessions for all levels and breeds - from puppy and beginner classes to advanced skills workshops. Whatever your focus, we’d love to support you and your dog on your journey this year.

Let’s make 2025 a year of progress and plenty of time dedicated to doing what you and your dog love most.

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead,
Helen and the Clicker Gundog Team

28/12/2024

At Clicker Gundog, rearing pheasants is a vital part of creating the very best training environment for gundogs, as these birds allow us to provide real-life scenarios that are essential for teaching and refining key fieldwork skills.

It can be challenging for owners to really proof their dogs’ steadiness before the shooting season begins. As we all know, even the pheasant-pelted dummies and launchers just don’t compare to the real thing for many of our high-drive dogs.

With access to our own live birds, we can carefully plan training exercises that are as close to real-life shooting scenarios as possible that will set our dogs up for success, all in a relaxed and supportive setting.

From October to January, our pheasants allow us to offer 121 shoot-over training sessions and our extremely popular Group Shoot Over Days, where training progresses to simulate real shoot-day conditions.

These live game training sessions are run as mini-shoots, including rough shooting, walk-ups, and beating. They provide the perfect environment for testing your gundog’s skills and control in a relaxed, educational setting.

For both handlers and dogs, these days offer a chance to put theory into practice. Whether it’s honing hunting ability, improving control, or mastering general field skills, every activity is designed to prepare for formal shoots or competitions.

These days are rewarding and crucial for building confidence and cementing the relationship between dog and handler.

Want to learn more about our training shoot and how we rear pheasants? Head to https://clickergundog.co.uk/blogs/news/behind-the-scenes-with-gamekeeper-chris

Already enjoyed the blog? Please don't forget to vote for us as Best Game Educator in the 2025 Eat Game Awards.

Having been nominated, we're thrilled to have made it to the public voting stage and would appreciate your support to getting to the final: https://eatgame.co.uk/eat-game-awards/voting/

📸 Alice Loder Photography

25/12/2024

As the year draws to a close, we want to say a heartfelt thank you for training with us this year. Whether you joined us with a new puppy or continued developing your dog’s skills, it’s been a joy to see the progress you’ve all made.

Our 2025 training dates are now live, and we’d love to welcome you back next year. From puppies to more advanced training, there’s something for every breed and ability, whether you're looking for a well-behaved pet gundog or a skilled working dog.

For now, we hope you enjoy a well-deserved rest over Christmas and that you get plenty of time to snuggle up and relax with your dogs.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas,
The Clicker Gundog Team

22/12/2024

Unless you’re a gamekeeper yourself or are actively involved in a small syndicate shoot, raising pheasants isn’t something many gundog owners think about.

It’s one of those behind-the-scenes jobs that few gundog trainers go into real detail about with their students.

Here at Clicker Gundog, however, it’s an essential part of what we do.

From our steadiness workshops in September to our live game training days during the shooting season, our pheasants play a crucial role in helping owners develop their dogs’ field skills in a supportive, pressure-free environment.

In our “Pheasant Diaries” video series, our gamekeeper, Chris, takes you behind the scenes to share the highs and lows of the rearing process. From preparing pens, planting cover crops, dealing with predators, and teaching young birds to roost, these videos give an honest look at what goes into raising birds.

We've put together a blog to walk you through the key aspects of rearing pheasants, from why we do it to the challenges involved and how pheasants can provide a sustainable, healthy source of protein. At the end, you’ll find our full 2024 Pheasant Diaries film - a compilation of the videos we shared in our private Facebook group from July to October.

To read in full head to https://clickergundog.co.uk/blogs/news/behind-the-scenes-with-gamekeeper-chris

Already enjoyed the blog? Please don't forget to vote for us as Best Game Educator in the 2025 Eat Game Awards.

Having been nominated, we're thrilled to have made it to the public voting stage and would appreciate your support to getting to the final: https://eatgame.co.uk/eat-game-awards/voting/

📸 Alice Loder Photography

19/12/2024

The end of the shooting season is drawing near, and our Clicker Gundog Group Shoot Over Days are running out fast.

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to train your gundog in a real shooting environment, now’s the time.

📅 When? Every Saturday through January.

⏳ After that? We take a break until October so don’t miss your chance to take part this season.

Perfect for all breeds. You can choose to go in the beating line, picking up, or both - just let us know.

While your dog does need to be working at a more advanced level and MUST have been introduced to the sound of shot before, you don't need to have had any previous shooting experience as that's what these training days are all about.

If you're looking for some confidence, want to practice steadiness, or are just looking to work your dog in a relaxed, pressure-free environment then book on today and finish the season strong.

To book now head to https://clickergundog.co.uk/products/group-shoot-days

16/12/2024

Ready to get started with some fun indoor gundog training activities now that winter is here?

Here’s a practical guide for using place boards, tailored to engage your gundog’s curiosity and drive, all while keeping them mentally stimulated during the winter months.

You will need to start with a place board large enough for your dog to sit or stand comfortably.

Begin in a distraction-free area of your home. Have treats ready in a bowl nearby or in your lap to allow for quick and precise reward delivery.

Sitting in a chair, place the board on the floor in front of your dog. As they notice the new item, click and reward any small sign of interest such as sniffing, looking, or stepping closer to the board.

Next, aim for small movements toward the board. If your dog places even one paw on the board, click and reward generously on the board itself. You can increase your expectations gradually, rewarding each step until your dog willingly steps onto the board.

Once your dog is comfortable standing on the board, start encouraging them to sit or remain steady in place. Reward them on the board for staying calm and focused. Over time, you can increase the duration they stay on the board by delivering a series of treats before releasing them.

When your dog is reliably stepping onto and staying on the board, introduce a verbal cue such as “place.” Say the cue just before they step on, and reward them generously once they’re on the board. As you practise, start moving the board around the room to help them generalise this skill.

When you are ready, the first pattern for your place board is the recall. Have your board straight in front of you, throw food away, cue ‘place’ and click and pay on the board. Encourage your dog to find this location by throwing the food in all directions around the board, including behind you.

Eventually, you can increase distance and start to use the board for different behaviours like heel, sit-stay-wait, stop whistle, and so much more.

To keep your gundog entertained and happy during those dark and wet winter months head to: https://clickergundog.co.uk/blogs/news/fun-indoor-training-activities-for-high-energy-gundogs-during-winter

13/12/2024

Did you know that long-distance retrieving and handling isn’t just for retrievers?

Our Retriever Skills group classes, led by Helen, are now open to all breeds who are ready to master advanced retrieving, along with the other vital skills needed for picking up such as steadiness and off lead heelwork.

The group meets monthly for 3 hours. There is plenty covered on the session with ample time to practice and develop what you've learned between sessions.

We take a holistic approach to training and so the topics and exercises covered will be set to the ability and needs of the dogs and handlers in attendance. Group numbers are limited to 10.

For booking and more information, plus the full list of 2025 dates, please head to: https://clickergundog.co.uk/products/retriever-skills-group

10/12/2024

Shaping is a powerful training technique that helps dogs learn complex behaviours by rewarding small, incremental steps toward the final behaviour.

In shaping, you mark (e.g. with a click) and reward each small step that brings your dog closer to the desired behaviour. For instance, if you’re training your dog to step onto a place board, you might start by rewarding any look toward the board, then progressively reward each movement closer until they’re confidently stepping onto it. This gradual process lets your dog take ownership of their actions, which increases understanding and retention.

For high-energy gundogs, shaping provides a mentally stimulating way to channel their intelligence and drive, making it ideal for indoor training sessions during the winter.

Unlike luring, shaping encourages your dog to try different behaviours and learn through exploration and gets them to think for themselves and problem-solve, which builds confidence.

This confidence then translates into greater focus and willingness to learn, which can be invaluable for active gundog breeds. It will also help them to become more resilient problem-solvers, and as they become used to trying different behaviours, building persistence and adaptability, they’ll be less likely to get frustrated if a reward, or a retrieve, isn’t given immediately.

For gundogs, who are often highly alert and responsive, shaping through clicker training can be especially effective and because it focuses on breaking behaviours down into small, manageable steps, it’s ideal for training in limited spaces, like the living room or kitchen when it’s dark outside.

To keep your gundog entertained and happy during those dark and wet winter months head to: https://clickergundog.co.uk/blogs/news/fun-indoor-training-activities-for-high-energy-gundogs-during-winter

07/12/2024

Our Beginner and Pet Gundog sessions are designed just for you.

Held at our Clicker Gundog Training Centre in Charlton, Worcestershire, these 3-hour classes provide ample time to cover essential skills and address any training challenges you may be facing.

Our force-free, positive reinforcement methods make learning enjoyable for both you and your dog. Whether you're aiming for a well-behaved pet or laying the groundwork for future gundog activities, our classes offer the perfect start and cover:

Basic retrieving: Teaching your dog to fetch and return items reliably.
Reliable recall: Ensuring your dog comes back when called, even amidst distractions.

Lead walking: Promoting calm and controlled walks without pulling.
Settling in the countryside: Helping your dog remain composed in outdoor environments.

Basic hunting for food and articles: Engaging your dog's natural instincts in a controlled manner.

Managing impulsivity: Building self-control to prevent unwanted behaviours.

It’s never too late to start training! For booking and more information, plus the full list of 2025 dates, please head to: https://clickergundog.co.uk/products/beginner-and-pet-gundog

04/12/2024

These training tools, which can be introduced to your dog indoors, encourage our gundogs to use their problem-solving skills, building focus and self-management along the way.

This keeps them calm and controlled while keeping their minds busy and engaged and is perfect for those winter months when it is difficult to incorporate outdoor training into shorter days and darker nights.

For those who have already begun gundog training too, winter indoor training with targets can help you to introduce new skills such as “go-to” or “place” that can later help in real-world gundog activities.

So, by investing time over the winter months, you’re not only keeping your gundog happy indoors but also setting them up for success in the spring.

Both of these tools give your dog a clear physical target, which helps them understand and execute specific actions, whether it’s staying in place, recalling to a specific spot, or just focusing on you in a distracting environment.

Place boards have multiple jobs within our training and have great flexibility in helping our dog to learn. They are essentially raised platforms that act as a “home base” for your dog, indicating where they should go.

We use them for teaching heel position and heelwork, front position for recall, transitions from one position to another, steadiness, stop whistle, lining up for blind retrieves, fast out and back for the retrieve pattern, and directional retrieves.

Go-to targets are similar in that they provide a physical target, but instead of remaining in a place they encourage your dog to actively seek out and touch the target with their nose. This builds precision and focus, which can be particularly helpful for teaching the straight lines that your dog will need for retrieving.

To keep your gundog entertained and happy during those dark and wet winter months head to: https://clickergundog.co.uk/blogs/news/fun-indoor-training-activities-for-high-energy-gundogs-during-winter

03/12/2024

🎉 We’ve made it to the next stage! 🎉

A huge thank you to everyone who nominated us for the Best Game Meat Educator category in the Eat Game Awards 2025.

Your support means the world to us, and we’re thrilled to be moving on to the final voting stage!

Now we need your help again to secure a spot in the top three and get one step closer to the awards 🏆

🗳️ How to vote:
1️⃣ Visit https://eatgame.co.uk/eat-game-awards/
2️⃣ Find the Best Game Meat Educator category
3️⃣ Submit your vote for Clicker Gundog

Voting is open now to 3rd February 2025. It only takes a minute and every vote counts!

If you've trained with us before, you know that it's not all about getting the dogs shoot ready and we’re very passionate about educating gundog owners about game - from how it's reared to how to prepare yummy meals.

02/12/2024

The early months are crucial for setting the foundation of a calm, well-mannered companion, and future asset in the field if that’s your long term goal.

Our Puppy Gundog Classes are designed to help you:
✅ Build a strong bond with your pup.
✅ Manage their natural hunting, chasing and retrieving instincts in a positive, force-free way.
✅ Teach essential skills like recall, how to focus on you when you're in exciting places, lead manners and heelwork, plus self-control and how to settle.

Whether you’re training your gundog for beating or picking up or simply want a well-behaved pet that happens to be a gundog breed, this class is the perfect first step.

Don’t wait until bad habits form - start training early and give your pup the best start. For booking and more information, plus the full list of 2025 dates, please head to: https://clickergundog.co.uk/products/puppy-gundog-monthly

01/12/2024

⏳ Final Day! Don’t Miss Your Chance to Save 15%* ⏳

Today is your last chance to take advantage of our Black Friday offer and secure your 2025 gundog training at a discount.

Use code BLACKFRIDAY24 at checkout before midnight to:
🐾 Book monthly classes, workshops, or week-long training camps (all dates now live!).
🐾 Secure a spot on our 2024/25 season Group Shoot Over Days.
🐾 Grab a Christmas gift voucher - perfect for gundog owners who want to plan their training for next year.

✨ Whether you’re starting with a puppy, training a pet gundog, or preparing for the field, there’s something for everyone.

This offer ends at 11:59 pm tonight, so don’t wait.

Visit www.clickergundog.co.uk and use code BLACKFRIDAY24 at checkout to save.

*Excludes 121 bookings.

30/11/2024

⏳ Last chance to save 15%* on your gundog training - our Black Friday offer ends soon! ⏳

Secure your spot for 2025 training or grab a Christmas gift voucher for a loved one before midnight on 1 December 2024.

Use code BLACKFRIDAY24 at checkout to save on:
🐾 Monthly classes, workshops, and training camps (all 2025 dates now live!).
🐾 2024/25 season Group Shoot Over Days.
🐾 Christmas vouchers - redeemable at any time in 2025.

Don’t miss out. Simply visit www.clickergundog.co.uk and enter the discount code BLACKFRIDAY24 on checkout.

*Excludes 121 training.

29/11/2024

Looking for the perfect gift for a gundog owner this Christmas?🎄

Whether you want to drop a hint to a loved one or are looking to treat yourself, with 15% off site-wide* using code BLACKFRIDAY24, you can:
🐾 Secure your training spots for 2025.
🐾 Purchase a Christmas gift voucher to be used at any time.

Our 2025 training dates are now live, including:
✨ Monthly group classes.
✨ Workshops and week-long training camps.
✨ Live game training and Group Shoot Over Days.

📅 Offer valid until midnight, 1 December 2024.

Visit www.clickergundog.co.uk and use code BLACKFRIDAY24 at checkout.

28/11/2024

🐾 Plan your 2025 training today and save 15%*! 🐾

Our Black Friday offer is live now - use code BLACKFRIDAY24 to book your place in:
✨ Monthly group classes (all 2025 dates now live!).
✨ Topic specific workshops
✨ Week-long training camps
✨ Live game training and Group Shoot Over Days.

Whether you’re starting with a puppy, working with a pet gundog, or preparing for the shooting field, there’s something for every stage.

Don’t wait - dates fill fast, and this offer ends 1 December 2024. Head to www.clickergundog.co.uk to book.

*Excludes 121 bookings.

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Getting started with place boards

Ready to get started with some fun indoor gundog training activities now that winter is here? Here’s a practical guide for using place boards, tailored to engage your gundog’s curiosity and drive, all while keeping them mentally stimulated during the winter months. You will need to start with a place board large enough for your dog to sit or stand comfortably. Begin in a distraction-free area of your home. Have treats ready in a bowl nearby or in your lap to allow for quick and precise reward delivery. Sitting in a chair, place the board on the floor in front of your dog. As they notice the new item, click and reward any small sign of interest such as sniffing, looking, or stepping closer to the board. Next, aim for small movements toward the board. If your dog places even one paw on the board, click and reward generously on the board itself. You can increase your expectations gradually, rewarding each step until your dog willingly steps onto the board. Once your dog is comfortable standing on the board, start encouraging them to sit or remain steady in place. Reward them on the board for staying calm and focused. Over time, you can increase the duration they stay on the board by delivering a series of treats before releasing them. When your dog is reliably stepping onto and staying on the board, introduce a verbal cue such as “place.” Say the cue just before they step on, and reward them generously once they’re on the board. As you practise, start moving the board around the room to help them generalise this skill. When you are ready, the first pattern for your place board is the recall. Have your board straight in front of you, throw food away, cue ‘place’ and click and pay on the board. Encourage your dog to find this location by throwing the food in all directions around the board, including behind you. Eventually, you can increase distance and start to use the board for different behaviours like heel, sit-stay-wait, stop whistle, and so m

Our water training camp (15th to 19th July) will help you progress with your water work including arousal management and steadiness around water, retrieving in and over water, using water as a reward, and working safely in and around flowing water. To book your place head to https://clickergundog.co.uk/products/foundation-water-work-for-gundogs-all-breeds

The “catch up” game is a fantastic method for creating value for the location of heel position and enabling the dog to work out what is required. It is particularly useful with young puppies as they naturally have a desire to stay with you. Step one Select a baseline environment with little or no distractions. If safe, take your dog off the lead and feed them just for being with you. Step two Place a piece of food on the floor beside the heel of your left foot and then walk off as your dog finds it. Step three Your dog will likely finish the food and come to seek you out. Click them as they catch up with you and place the next piece of food down as before. Repeat this several times making sure you move off straight after you have placed the food down. Step four You can adjust the timing of your click to occur as your dog commits to coming back to you. Then pay when they arrive at your side. If they go to the wrong side, don’t be tempted to change the food placement - you are building value for the location. Step five You can add changes of direction and speed at which you walk, but don’t run. You can also add a step or two of walking beside you before you pay. Always stop to feed; don’t feed while walking. Step six Once your dog is walking a couple of paces with you, add a slight turn and click the commitment to turn with you. You can then add stopping to this exercise - did they stop with you? Step seven Don’t be tempted to do great chunks of training in this exercise. Try to keep it fun and successful. The criteria you are aiming for is to build value for the heel location. If you're looking to learn more about heelwork head to https://clickergundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-do-i-stop-my-gundog-from-pulling-on-the-lead

Hoopers is perfect for those involved in gundog training who are looking for a fun, novel way to strengthen their off lead connection, handling skills and steadiness. To join our short hoopers course starting on 1 June with Sharon Edwards from Lakeside Dog Training head to clickergundog.co.uk/products/hoopers-workshop #hoopers #hoopersofinstagram #hoopersagility #hoopersdog #hoopersdogsport #gundogtraining #worcestershiregundog #eveshamdogtraining #eveshamgundog #pershoredogs #worcestershiredogs

As the birds get older they start to wander further from the pen. Sometimes the game crop can grow quite tightly together and it offers very little access to the birds. Pheasants don't like it when the cover is too thick. In this instance, we would cut rides in the crop which will allow them to wander down the middle and get in and out as they please. This year our gamekeeper Chris kept video diaries to help teach you more about what goes into keeping pheasants for the Clicker Gundog live game training and shoot over days. In the video, Chris explains how he uses a topper to cut V shaped access paths in the crop, and adds in some feeders. To watch our full length 2023 Pheasant Diaries head to: https://clickergundog.co.uk/blogs/news/keeping-pheasants-for-our-live-game-training-and-shoot-over-days

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