Gundog Training Forum

GraemeGSP wrote:My boots are still drying on the radiator, tracey is covered in bruises and my 'gear' cupboard stinks of something damp (not sure what it is)

A big thanks to your 'OH', Graeme , Tracey', is not ''used to country life''?, but done a 'brilliant job', on the beating line even although she didn't know what ''all those 'blue', bins were? (hoppers),and the fact that 'she was concerned that ''why are we walking towards the guns? "

I would gladly have her on the beating line again!..although I don't think She will be too much in a hurry'?, until she 'dry's out'
But on another note:..the handlers and guns are /and have not been aware/, of the few laughs (amongst the rain), that Tracey', and the other beaters were ''falling in a duck pond'", and slipping 'arse over tit', to flush/herd the birds?...well done her on her ''''novice day'''
ps...she made Bernie's day as well!!..and the keeper hasn't stopped laughing ..

When you say that the spaniel who has already won a novice trial is of a novice standard, do you just mean that it's needing more experience and further training to move it onwards?

Polmaise wrote: and some sort of carcass', that resembled 'game'?, Shamy's dog 'Laika', decided to bring back

Isn't that a perfectly normal part of a shooting day?? Hey Shamy, nobody else's dog found it!

Yes!
and Yup', agree to the second

Rookie wrote:When you say that the spaniel who has already won a novice trial is of a novice standard, do you just mean that it's needing more experience and further training to move it onwards?

Polmaise wrote: and some sort of carcass', that resembled 'game'?, Shamy's dog 'Laika', decided to bring back

Isn't that a perfectly normal part of a shooting day?? Hey Shamy, nobody else's dog found it!

Ohhh dear, there was a reason nobody else's dog found it . Robert kindly didn't mention the fact that when she found it I was attempting to run her down after she decided to blink the duck behind the line and have a glorious free hunting session on her own . Oh the humiliation. Ah well, I knew things weren't going to be good when I had to leave Spinner at home and take the Lurcher instead. Plenty of lessons learned though, especially in gaining control of the dog when they're in the crazy red mist zone! Dogs eh, sometimes they really know how to bring you down!

shamykebab wrote: Plenty of lessons learned though, especially in gaining control of the dog when they're in the crazy red mist zone! Dogs eh, sometimes they really know how to bring you down!

The " crazy red mist zone" is the reason days like yesterday are so valuable. That same zone can happen on any shoot day and I was pleased to see so many beginner dogs cope with it so well. If it's any consolation Shamy I thought your dogs retrieve of the sodden carcase was a pretty good one ! Your dog was at least showing it was out there looking for game scent, experience often teaches dogs not to bother bringing back old carcases, the dogs learn to ignore them in favour of more freshly shot birds.

The radio communication thingy was a bit of a nightmare for me......... I don't even like to use a mobile phone, I rarely carry mine and I'm not sure how to work it either ! As things turned out by halfway up the first walk up the damned thing was so full of rainwater it could only croak like a frog anyway !

My thanks to all involved in the days organisation and for the work they did as beaters too. I'd also like to thank those handlers I nagged at for not dotting my nose !

Unlike cricket, tennis and even football , rain did not stop play yesterday ! Well done to all of you.

Wullie

sounds like a good day was had,

i know how the weather was, as i drove to oban yesterday, and played a game of rugby on a swimming pitch haha

Thanks to Robert & everyone who made the day happen.

It's been a wee while since I've been that wet.........................................is that why I no longer live in Scotland

Nice to meet some other handlers, though I think some of the girls could do with buying some "waterproof" clothing


Hope to meet all again in the future.

Myself and my pal Fraser from Arisaig also enjoyed the day - we must have since we talked non stop in the car about what we had observed and maybe learned all the way home. Sometimes reflecting upon an experience can be as valuable as doing it. I also don't underestimate the 'unconscious' learning for the dogs; such as travelling in the beaters cart, mixing with other dogs, staying steady to ducks raining down all around it, working with other dogs quartering next door etc, etc.

I would be very happy to do something similar again. maybe learning (or practicing) some skills; (quartering, stop to shot, marked retrieve, blind retrieve, etc) and then putting it all together in a 'mock test'? I guess you would have to split into spaniels and retrievers and run on seperate days and then that would need enough participants of each type to make it worthwhile for Robert to run and Willie to attend?

I suppose having a 'station' for each skill with small groups of two or three 'revolving' around them and then coming together for the 'test' and then a debrief from the trainers on 'what next?,' in terms of training for each handler would be one way of making a good day, but no doubt there are other ideas?.

Just a thought?

Cheers, Terry

Way ahead of you Terry ', mate
I already have such a similiar day(s) planned for the spring....that's if Wullie lasts that long ...I think he is still recovering?...the 'different stands, idea is a good one ,and that will suit Wullie as he doesn't have to do any walking

When I have the 'agreed dates and venue', I will post the details!
I am thinking of having it at my place??

Will whisky be freely available for resuscitation purposes ?

Wullie