Gundog Training Forum

Evening all, thought I'd say hi after being away for a few years. I was never an avid poster on chats, but I visited the page regularly and learnt more from the people on here than I did from any books/videos.
I used to have a 3 labs that I used for picking up, but i lost one to cancer at 3 years old, and due to a divorce I had to move the other 2 on, to good working homes. After a few years of ups and downs I'm now in a position to have a dog again, so picked up a 18 month old springer a few weeks ago.we had our first day beating last week, and it was certainly an experience!
Anyway, it's good to see familiar names still posting ,even if the forums do seem quieter than ever. I know everyone asked questions on Facebook these days, but forums like this are far superior for sharing knowledge imo.
Cheers

Hi and welcome back
How did your days beating go ?

It was a bit of a disaster.....
First drive I kept him on the lead, then planned to let him work a bit of rough cover right at the end. As I cast him he put a pheasant up in the first few feet and completely lost his head, charging round all over and having a great time
He did similar a couple of drives later, so stayed on the kead for the rest of the day.
On reflection, it was totally my fault for pushing it, i haven't had him for long enough for him to want to work with me, and although he's apparently been beating before I don't actually think he's seen much/any game.
That aside, it was a great day to be out, with a sensible bag of around 50 head.

'hit happens.

Welcome back and, yes, I'm still here, ole faithful.

14 years after I first joined I have came back for a look , hello all