Town & Country Dog Training

  • Home
  • Town & Country Dog Training

Town & Country Dog Training The only Advanced Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor in Somerset with rural training ground near Frome.
(8)

We have scheduled one more new Manners not Mayhem puppy group for this year - start date Saturday 14th Sept 24 at 10am. ...
29/08/2024

We have scheduled one more new Manners not Mayhem puppy group for this year - start date Saturday 14th Sept 24 at 10am. All training takes place outdoors on our private training grounds in Somerset. There are a couple of places left. Do get in contact through our website www.townandcountrydogtraining.co.uk for any queries or the option of booking direct.

Always a pleasure to watch when training is coming together. With young dogs patience is important. We often get frustra...
23/08/2024

Always a pleasure to watch when training is coming together. With young dogs patience is important. We often get frustrated and can’t understand why the dog is not understanding what we request. Well perhaps you have not explained it well enough, or rushed, or didn’t correct or reward at the time necessary. There are many reasons training a dog can be challenging but it can equally be hugely rewarding and this was the later today.

Back at the pond today with the lovely Barney a very talented Wirehaired Viszla for a one to one lesson. He was very exc...
19/08/2024

Back at the pond today with the lovely Barney a very talented Wirehaired Viszla for a one to one lesson. He was very excited at first but settled into the tasks. We mixed up and combined water and land retrieves. Lovely job and lots of homework 😉

We had the pleasure of welcoming a lovely bunch of Golden Retrievers and their handlers for a day of training and learni...
17/08/2024

We had the pleasure of welcoming a lovely bunch of Golden Retrievers and their handlers for a day of training and learning. The event was organised by the Southwest Golden Retriever club and Lucy of and myself took a group each throughout the day. Thank you to Chloe of .captures to capture the day and I can’t wait to watch back at the memories caught by your images. - Thank you to everyone who made the day a success 😊

The training grounds this morning with not a cloud in the sky - a beautiful day ahead.
16/08/2024

The training grounds this morning with not a cloud in the sky - a beautiful day ahead.

Yesterday saw the final lesson of yet another successful Manners not Mayhem puppy class. It was a pleasure teaching thes...
15/08/2024

Yesterday saw the final lesson of yet another successful Manners not Mayhem puppy class. It was a pleasure teaching these owners to train their young dogs, establishing the basics like sit, engagement, lead walking, recall and lots more. Now they are reaching adolescence it is more important than ever to continue manifesting boundaries, developing self-control and continue to teach the all important foundation obedience

Lovely training session this afternoon with some sunshine at last. Lots of addressing challenges with delivery and gener...
09/08/2024

Lovely training session this afternoon with some sunshine at last. Lots of addressing challenges with delivery and general relationship building. Bit of fun to finish with a blind over two jumps

Out and back over two jumps for an unseen retrieve - this was the final exercise for my group this morning. Before that ...
06/08/2024

Out and back over two jumps for an unseen retrieve - this was the final exercise for my group this morning. Before that we worked on stop whistle, re-direct, blind retrieves, memories in woodland and lots more. Really good to check the understanding of commands in different circumstances. The dogs rose to the tasks and performed really well throughout the lesson

The final day of  with   and also our third demo performance in the working dog ring. A great experience with lots of pe...
28/07/2024

The final day of with and also our third demo performance in the working dog ring. A great experience with lots of people watching and interested in our approach to Pet Gundog Training. The dogs probably enjoyed the finishing cool off walk on the way home

Day two at  getting ready for our APGI demonstration at 11:30am in the Working Dog Ring.The weather was once again glori...
27/07/2024

Day two at getting ready for our APGI demonstration at 11:30am in the Working Dog Ring.
The weather was once again glorious and a steady stream of visitors made the day go fast. If you are heading to Blenheim Palace tomorrow come and see us at E1108. There is on stand training advice and a live Q&A with *zgraham in the early afternoon. Some of the Accredited Pet Gundog Instructors will be back in the Working Dog Ring late morning.

This dog and his owner deserve more than just a 24h story - these two deserve a medal. Max who looks like a Labrador is ...
22/07/2024

This dog and his owner deserve more than just a 24h story - these two deserve a medal. Max who looks like a Labrador is in fact a mixed breed of Labrador and Shar Pei. It is the Shar Pei - a guardian breed - genetic that makes this dog challenging. Max is very alert more than just your average dog - he is on the case at all times. To train him focusing on the owner has been really time consuming. Tonight was a great reward for .quelch dedication to her dog. He was probably best in class, focused, sat & stayed in a group environment, kept quiet and retrieved like a pure bred Labrador. Amazing

A day off with time to train my own dogs, yes they do need training … first a visit to our pond making sure all is good ...
21/07/2024

A day off with time to train my own dogs, yes they do need training … first a visit to our pond making sure all is good for the week to come. And of course testing the water with some retrieving from and across water.
Second harvest has started and nothing better than a race across a stubble field - blending into true golden colour

Lovely evening lesson with three Goldens and one Spaniel. Building solid foundations in basic obedience is key to develo...
18/07/2024

Lovely evening lesson with three Goldens and one Spaniel. Building solid foundations in basic obedience is key to developing your dog’s training. Sit/stay in a group, settling while other dogs work was appropriate given the warm weather. As the evening went on and temperatures cooled it was time for some retrieving challenges. Dummies were placed in a variety of ways, dogs were sent for up to three dummies after another, changing distance and altering routines made the dogs switch on and focus on the tasks

The rain stopped just in time for the evening lesson. An energetic session with four handlers and their dogs, starting w...
15/07/2024

The rain stopped just in time for the evening lesson. An energetic session with four handlers and their dogs, starting with a variety of sit/stay exercises before longer retrieves past other dogs. We also worked in a group of four and pairs of two, combining off lead heel work, placing dummies and retrieving as part of the quests

Are you heading to the The Game Fair - come and see us at The Pet Gundog stand E1180. We will also be giving a demonstra...
13/07/2024

Are you heading to the The Game Fair - come and see us at The Pet Gundog stand E1180. We will also be giving a demonstration each day at 11:30am in the Working Dog Ring

Are you heading to CLA Gamefair this year?

If so come and Join L*z Graham and some of the accredited pet gundog instructors at the Working Dog Ring for a demonstration of the training approach that started the pet gundog ‘movement’ back in 2010 with the publication of her first book The Pet Gundog.

There are 22 accredited pet gundog Instructors based around the UK and, as well as seeing them in the demonstrations at 11.30am each day, you’ll find some instructors, along with L*z, at stand E1180 where you can find out more about the pet gundog’s common-sense approach to training, where to train, and be able chat to the instructors.

L*z will be taking questions and demonstrating the L*z Graham Retrieving Roll, an innovative piece of equipment designed to motivate and encourage an enthusiastic retrieve, at 2.30pm each day on stand E1180 located beside the Working Dog Ring.

Check out the CLA website for more information - https://thegamefair.org/dogs/

join the club -https://www.l*zgrahamonlinetraining.com/the-pet-gundog-club
buy the book - https://ThePetGundog.co.uk/Home/Books
a common sense approach - https://L*zGraham.com/
l*z graham retrieving roll - www.RetrievingRoll.com


*zGrahamBooks
*zGrahamRetrievingRoll

What a cracking lesson this morning with four more advanced handlers. All I can say is - the season is not that far …. W...
09/07/2024

What a cracking lesson this morning with four more advanced handlers. All I can say is - the season is not that far …. We practised walked up and drive scenarios, and worked in pairs on a rather advanced level. A relay retrieve at end put the icing on the lesson. Everyone rose to the challenge, hugely well done

We had a busy day with The Minority Retriever Club. After a day of training on Saturday, a mock working test day was hel...
07/07/2024

We had a busy day with The Minority Retriever Club. After a day of training on Saturday, a mock working test day was held today. I was invited to judge. It was a pleasure to see some more uncommon Gundog breeds work. Irish Water Spaniels, Flatcoated Retrievers, Duck Toller Retrievers and Chesapeake Retriever all competed alongside each other. The weather was challenging at times to say the least but it could not dampen the spirit of the members. Well done everyone it was lovely to spend the day with you and your dogs and pass on some valuable knowledge

We had a busy weekend attending our bi-annual CPD with The Pet Gundog and L*z  Graham. Lots of new learning with a great...
03/07/2024

We had a busy weekend attending our bi-annual CPD with The Pet Gundog and L*z Graham. Lots of new learning with a great talk from Rachel Bean about pain, behaviour and street dogs on day 1. Day 2 featured an amazing inside seminar into dog law with the very entertaining Trevor of Cooper & Co: Doglaw.
As a group we welcomed six new which brings our total number to 22 across the UK - all great stuff.
Our next big event will be The Game Fair at Blenheim Palace near Oxford at the end of July.
You can find The Pet Gundog and some of the instructors at stand E1108. We will also give a daily demonstration of our training and instructor skills at the Gundog Ring. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Link to the instructors page below wherever you are in the country
https://www.thepetgundog.co.uk/Home/APGI
L*z Graham’s books
https://www.thepetgundog.co.uk/Home/Books
The pet gundog club for online help/advice/community
https://www.thepetgundogclub.com

Some more advanced training last night with lots of distraction. Off lead heelwork, retrieving past and through other do...
02/07/2024

Some more advanced training last night with lots of distraction. Off lead heelwork, retrieving past and through other dogs, and some jumping to finish. Truly amazing work by all and I can’t quite believe how far you’ve all progressed.

It has been some time since I posted some puppy pictures, always too busy teaching. The hot weather of yesterday gave op...
27/06/2024

It has been some time since I posted some puppy pictures, always too busy teaching. The hot weather of yesterday gave opportunity to introduce the youngsters to water in our paddling pool. They also had a ride in the wheelbarrow to build confidence. Lots of down/stays and an introduction to sit/stay. Overall exercises that are suitable for warmer days. Plenty of brain rather than physical exercise.

We had a lovely morning for another lesson at the pond. A bit more advanced this time with distractions thrown, double r...
22/06/2024

We had a lovely morning for another lesson at the pond. A bit more advanced this time with distractions thrown, double retrieves, blinds and a relay across the pond to finish. Sherborne next year here we come 😉.

Great morning at the water with a group of intermediate handlers. The area allows us a mix of land and water retrieves. ...
20/06/2024

Great morning at the water with a group of intermediate handlers. The area allows us a mix of land and water retrieves. At the end most dogs swam across to retrieve, more work is needed for the return via the water. Especially the Spaniel was quick to work out the route along the shore.

We had a fabulous session this morning with a group of Novices. Working in pairs was the theme, off lead walking, steadi...
18/06/2024

We had a fabulous session this morning with a group of Novices. Working in pairs was the theme, off lead walking, steadiness, retrieving past other dogs, calling away from a retrieve - all good stuff, ladies you smashed it

Another busy day on the field - great progress by our beginners in the morning. We upped the anti on steadiness introduc...
14/06/2024

Another busy day on the field - great progress by our beginners in the morning. We upped the anti on steadiness introducing distractions, and worked in pairs. The afternoon saw a group of more advanced handlers working on directional control and natural boundaries. We did get wet at times but equally saw sunshine and blue skies.

First group training this morning at our new water venue. We were exploring all the different exercises the ground has t...
11/06/2024

First group training this morning at our new water venue. We were exploring all the different exercises the ground has to offer. Retrieving from and across water, double retrieves with land first followed by water. Great stuff all round

On Sunday we accompanied the Puppy, Special Puppy and Novice Dog/Novice Handler working test of The Wiltshire Working Gu...
04/06/2024

On Sunday we accompanied the Puppy, Special Puppy and Novice Dog/Novice Handler working test of The Wiltshire Working Gundog Society. It was a lovely sunny day with a great atmosphere amongst competitors and everyone else present. Well done to all in the awards and special congratulations to Gary Haim with his black Labrador Jack who was awarded third in NDNH. Gary has been training with us for just over a year and it was his only his second test he had entered - great result.🙂

Thank you Adhara Dog Training for using this lovely image of my veteran Golden Retriever Dino. He will be 11 years old i...
29/05/2024

Thank you Adhara Dog Training for using this lovely image of my veteran Golden Retriever Dino. He will be 11 years old in a couple of weeks and it is still very fit.
Like Lucy says, looking after your dog and noticing signs of uneven gate, or 'sloppy' sitting are very important to identify early signs of a potential problem.

✨ Recognising and Addressing Gait Issues ✨

As an Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor, my role is to train and educate dog owners and help them develop the skills and behaviors of their own dog.

Whilst this is my primary focus, I've also come to understand that a dogs physical health is just as crucial as their training.

One of the most telling signs of a potential problem is a change in a dog's gait or posture. Subtle issues like a sloppy sit or a reluctance to sit for extended periods, preferring instead to lie down, can often be overlooked. However, these signs could indicate underlying physical issues that need attention.

A dog's gait refers to its manner of walking or running, which should be smooth, balanced, and efficient. Any deviation from this can be a potential problem. For many dogs, whose daily tasks often involve running and jumping, maintaining a proper gait is vital. When a dog exhibits an unusual gait, such as limping, stiffness, or an asymmetrical stride, it could indicate pain or discomfort. This might be due to various reasons, including joint problems or muscle strains.

Whilst I am not a vet, in the past I have noticed some tell tale signs in the dogs that I train. Some of the signs can a "sloppy sit," where a dog sits with its legs splayed out awkwardly or shifts frequently to find a more comfortable position. Additionally, if a dog seems reluctant to sit for any length of time and prefers to lie down, this can also be a signal for discomfort. This behavior should not be dismissed as mere disobedience or laziness.

If you recognise any of these signs, then consulting with your vet so they can perform an examination.

With dog ownership, your dog's gait and sitting posture is a window into their physical health. Recognising and addressing any issues promptly with the help of a vet can prevent minor problems from becoming major health concerns.

Overall, ensuring that our dogs are physically fit is not only essential for their performance but also for their overall well-being and quality of life.

Whether you’re looking to work your dog in the field or just seeking a more disciplined and responsive pet, gundog training brings a wealth of benefits to both you and your dog. We offer Accredited Pet Gundog Training on a one to one basis or in small group classes. We embrace effective, educational, and motivational training.

If you’d like to know more about how we can help you, contact Lucy Nolan, the only Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor in Dorset 💫

📞 07799 732194
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 AdharaDogTraining.co.uk



📸 RPN Photography
🐶 The lovely Dino of Town & Country Dog Training

Ahead of the worst of the rain our group this morning enjoyed a lesson of challenging retrieves. A long memory with dist...
28/05/2024

Ahead of the worst of the rain our group this morning enjoyed a lesson of challenging retrieves. A long memory with distraction, another memory through cover ground and a selection of blind retrieves with memories mixed in. Focus was on handling with stop whistle, followed by left and right re-direct. Everyone did pretty well

We had a hugely enjoyable lesson this evening with a group of novices. A bit of a retriever theme here accompanied by a ...
23/05/2024

We had a hugely enjoyable lesson this evening with a group of novices. A bit of a retriever theme here accompanied by a lovely spaniel girl. There was lots of confidence building with seen and replace retrieves, hunting and picking from longer grass. The lesson finished with a split retrieve over obstacles. So much progress and fabulous to watch

Address


Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Town & Country Dog Training posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Town & Country Dog Training:

Videos

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Telephone
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Videos
  • Claim ownership or report listing
  • Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Share

Town and Country Dog Training

There is no doubt that at the beginning of every dog training journey stands the relationship between owner and dog. The character of the dog, the character of the owner and how they marry and function together will have a huge impact on the future bond of animal and human.

When we start training a dog, we need patience in teaching the animal and must accept that he does not speak human so we have to adapt to the dog’s way of learning, explain and not try to lift him up onto the human level of understanding.

After mastering basic obedience there are many options as to how far you would like to go in training your dog. We love to train Pet Gundogs as they are enthusiastic and intelligent animals that thrive by given a ‘job’ to do. Teaching your dog to retrieve is great fun and it not always has to be a dummy. Balls, gloves, phones, of course dummies, you name it, your Pet Gundog will be pleased to engage in being taught.

It all depends on your imagination and ability of you and your dog. No matter if you are happy to settle with a basic training level or want to move on to competitive standard, we can help you at any stage of your training travels.