Moving from dummy bird to real thing

[Cass]

I'm not sure what you mean by "dummy bird" .

I think she's referring to how we use pigeons for training here in NA

[Gundogguy]

Look here for some supplies and equipment

http://www.gundog-solutions.co.uk/pages ... 134295.cfm

You might also look for some professional help as away to jump start your learning about the process of training a working sporting dog!

[Bryn]

Look here for some supplies and equipment

http://www.gundog-solutions.co.uk/pages ... 134295.cfm

You might also look for some professional help as away to jump start your learning about the process of training a working sporting dog!

This, from my experience it's been about training me to train/handle the dog, I've found training an ESS for shooting is a lot different to training working farm collies. Thankfully as well as the folk on here I've had Trekmoor and a couple of others to clip me round the ear and put me right when needed, you really need someone who can see you and the dog working together.

[Springfield Pointers]

My suggestion would be to find a professional trainer to consult. Let him/her see at face value where you and the dog are at and take it from there. Further to that I would join a field trial club if only to broaden your gundog social circle. Field Trial clubs do have the function of enabling you to gain information, contacts, venues and also to sharpen up your dog. It also gives you some idea of where you are in terms of progress when compared to other people and their dogs. Field Trials also have some other benefits... but they escape me at this moment.

[Judy]

You have Romanriver (on here) near Colchester, Carl Colclough (Spaniels) not too far away and Mike Tallamy / Sarah Gadd (Retrievr trainers) in North Suffolk, spoilt for choice!

[Miesque]

You're very near me - I have a few spare pairs of wings if you get stuck. I am ocassiaonly on the base for a Commissary trip when I get homesick

[Naj]

It's some years back but I had a shooting friend who was in the RAF and a lot of the bases that he worked on had their own shooting syndicate. The base he worked on when I knew him had a nice little roughshoot going on the grounds around the airfield & training grounds. Would your husband have such shooting contacts?