Our Staffordshire Instructor Lara Walker-Altass is organising a Field Test Day.

It will take place at the end of this month.

A fun day out

There will be tests in the morning.

Followed by a barbecue lunch,  and more tests in the afternoon!

The tests run from Grade 1 up to Grade 4,  so if you think you might be ready to enter, why not join in?  Just give the office a ring on 01428 717529 to arrange your ‘slot’.

The date for the FT day is 30th June.

This is a great opportunity for gundog students in Staffordshire to have a go.  No pressure and lots of fun.

Spectators

Lara has also kindly offered to welcome any spectators who might want to come along and find out what gundog training is all about.   This is an unusual opportunity not to be missed!

Please phone the office 01428 717529 for directions and to let them know you will be attending.

Congratulations to our Norfolk students who were successful in their Field Tests at the end of May!

From left to right we have

• Sam and Drifter Grade Two (Merit),
• Christina Williams Grade One (Distintion)
• Marie  Reide with Freddie  Grade Three (Distinction)
• Margaret Thorne with Ella  Grade Two (Pass)
• Ellie Sweetman with Nutmeg  Grade Two (Distinction)   and  grade Three  (Merit)

The successful candidates were coached by Norfolk Instructor Keith Kendal, and assessed by Suffolk Instructor Chris Snelling (back centre)

Well done to all!

Since the graded training scheme was launched in 2006, thousands of gundogs have taken the Grade One Gundog Field Test.

So, what is Grade One all about?

Making a start

Grade One is about taking those first few steps on your gundog training journey and getting the foundations right.

There are no competitors at the Field Test.  Just you,  your Assessor, and your dog.

It is all about making sure you have the basics of obedience in place,  and the beginnings of a ‘retrieve’ established

Basic obedience

Grade One obedience includes teaching your dog to heel, sit, stay, and come when he is called.  Duration and distances are kept short, and attainable.

Early retrieves

At Grade One, we establish an enthusiastic retrieving habit in your dog.  We are not fussy about delivery styles or technique.  We just want to see a dog that is keen to fetch a dummy and bring it back to his handler.

Keeping it simple

Everything at Grade One is as straightforward and uncomplicated as we can make it.  The Grade One test requirements are a simple but important basis for all future training.   It’s not a competition, and if you meet the required standards, you will pass.

Which test?

Grade One Retriever is for dogs whose main role will be as a retriever. It is also suitable for pet gundogs whose owners would like to enjoy a more active involvement with their dog and develop their pet’s retrieving skills.

Grade One Hunting Retriever is for dogs whose primary role will be as a hunter. It is suitable for spaniels and any gundog intended to hunt and flush game in close proximity of the handler. All HR tests include retrieving

Grade One HPR is suitable for all HPR breeds of gundog and for gundog crossbreeds intended to hunt, point and retrieve

Think you can do it?

If you think your dog is ready for the Grade One Test,  why not make a booking today!

Just phone 01428 717529

The Gundog Club  makes training fun for dogs and their owners

These students had a very successful Field Test Day in Yorkshire recently.

The students and their dogs are  from left to right:

• Moira Paterson with Lily, Golden Retriever, passed at Grade 1;
• Keith Crackett with Janos, Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla, passed with Merit at Grade 2;
• (Tony Allerton, Assessor);
• Martin Mellor with Piper, GSP, passed with Distinction at Grade 2;
• Lee Birkitt with Ellie, Cocker, passed with Distinction at Grade 1.

Congratulations to all four who were coached to success by Yorkshire Instructor Stevie Allerton.    Stevie has several years experience of training Gundog Club students for their field tests,  and enjoys helping her students achieve their aims for their dogs.

You can contact Stevie using this form: Contact Wakefield Instructor

Courses in Gloucestershire are starting Sunday 14th April!

Choose from Grades One, Two or Three.

Courses are run by experienced G.C. instructor Annie Wales.

Course location is near Westbury on Severn

You don’t need to have passed the previous Grade in order to enter Grades Two and Three.

Check with your instructor to find out if your dog is at the right level.

You can contact Annie using this form:  Contact Annie Wales

We are delighted to introduce you to our new accredited instructor,  James Reavil.

James is located near Maidstone in Kent and is looking forward to hearing from local gundog owners that need a little help with their dogs.

Whether you want a fully trained working gundog,  need to solve a problem,  or just want to have some gundog fun with your pet dog,  James can help you.

You can contact James using this form:  Contact James Reavil 

Or find out more about him on this page:  Maidstone Gundog Instructor.

Jane Brookes and her cocker Ruby passed their Grade Two Field Test in snowy conditions last week.

Jane and Ruby were assessed by Hertfordshire Instructor Ian Clinton

The successful pair were coached by Cambridgeshire Instructor Tony Brazier and achieved a well-deserved Merit.

Congratulations and well done all!

Ian and Tony enjoy helping gundog owners work through the Graded Training Scheme and can be contacted  using the links above.   Follow this link for instructors in other areas

Starting soon!  Grade One courses in Leicestershire.

Leicestershire instructor Steve Hare has spaces available on the following courses  for beginners

• Grade One starting Sunday 21st April and running weekly for eight weeks
• Grade One starting Wednesday 8th May and running weekly for eight weeks

For more information use this form:  contact Steve 

Gundog trainer Nick Coates has been helping Gundog Club students to achieve their training goals since 2006.

Nick  welcomes beginners,  pets and advanced dogs too.

He is a KC Field Trial judge with extensive experience in the shooting field and has helped hundreds of student through our graded Field Tests.

Nick is located near Salisbury and whatever your aims, big or small,  he would love to hear from you.

Just drop your name into this form  and he will contact you.

For more information,  visit Nick’s Page

We are delighted to welcome Lancashire gundog trainer Colin Myers to our team of Accredited Instructors.

Colin is a very experienced trainer who believes in kind and positive methods.

He is looking forward to helping Lancashire Gundog Club students with their basic training, grades and fieldwork.

Colin has extensive facililties for teaching every aspect of gundog work and welcomes beginners and those with pet gundogs as well as those looking for more advanced instruction.

You can use this link to:  Contact Colin