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
If you would like to work on your water training, we not only include water training on our breed-specific camps and group classes, you can also book 121s with our instructors and can now hire the field for your own private practice.
For more information about training at Clicker Gundog and using the pond facilities, please head to www.clickergundog.co.uk or email us on [email protected].
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
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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
