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Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 9am - 6pm Wednesday 9am - 6pm Thursday 9am - 6pm Friday 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 4pm

Connected Canines

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Connected Canines

I am both a PACT and Gundog Trainers Academy assessed trainer. I use positive reward and science based training methods
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01/09/2025

Week 1 – The Importance of Foundations in Gundog Training
It’s tempting to focus on the fancy stuff in gundog training, but without strong foundations, it all falls apart.
Sit, stay, recall, heel and delivery are the building blocks of a reliable gundog.
This week’s blog explains why you should never rush the basics.

👉https://www.connectedcanines.co.uk/blog/aqiie6gi

30/08/2025

29/08/2025

"Training challenges aren’t failures – they’re part of the process. Whether it’s a wobbly sit, a tricky recall, or a spaniel who loves hunting too much, each challenge is a chance to strengthen teamwork. Hunting should always be a team sport, not a solo pursuit – and with patience, that’s exactly what it becomes."

https://www.connectedcanines.co.uk/blog/working-through-training-challenges

26/08/2025

✨ Camp Spaces Still Available! ✨

We still have a few spaces left on our Retriever and Spaniel Camps 2026 🐾
If you’ve been thinking about booking, now is the perfect time – payment plans are available to help spread the cost.

✅ Retriever & HPR Dogs – must have a confident retrieve, be reasonably steady, able to cope with blinds & memories, stop on the whistle, and take direction.
✅ Spaniels – should be steady, have a complete retrieve pattern, understand the stop whistle & casting, and be able to hunt.

👉 All dogs should be at, or working towards, their Grade Three Gundog Club Award.

Whether your goal is competition, the shooting field, or simply strengthening your relationship with your dog, these camps are designed to help you succeed.

📅 Dates:

Trails for Tails Retrievers: 21st – 24th May 2026

Spaniels: 28th – 31st May 2026

Connected Canines Retrievers: 4th – 7th June 2026

📌 Spaces are limited – don’t miss out!

👉 Message us find out more or to secure your place today.

22/08/2025

Some of my handlers had to dig deep in training today – and it inspired me to write about resilience. Gundog training isn’t a straight line, and sometimes it’s our mindset that makes the biggest difference.

Have a read and let me know – how do you keep going when things get tough?

👉 https://www.connectedcanines.co.uk/blog/handler-resilience-in-gundog-training

18/08/2025

🐾🌬️ Wind makes or breaks a hunting dog. Spaniels love a cheek wind, HPRs cast downwind – but every gundog must learn to work them all.
👉 New blog here: https://www.connectedcanines.co.uk/blog/learn-how-spaniels-and-hprs-use-head-cheek-and-tail-winds-when-hunting-and-how-handlers-can-adapt

Address

Bridgwater
TA52BA

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm
Saturday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

+447974607082

Website

http://Www.connectedcanines.co.uk/

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Sue Watkins owner of Connected Canines

I live on the beautiful Somerset Levels with my family and dogs, Labradors and a Working Cocker Spaniel. My earliest memory is of being a toddler and being surrounded by a litter of Labrador puppies, bred by my parents. My passion for dogs was ignited and has remained with me ever since.

I have had dogs of my own for many years, both rescued and bought as puppies of assorted breeds, and challenges.

For five years I worked for a Greyhound rescue charity, as a regional re-homing officer. We dealt with all types of sight hounds and within our area we re-homed about 150 dogs a year - all with differing histories and needs.

Fifteen years ago, I decided to have a change of tact and stopped working in rescue and decided to run my own business. I still dealt with dogs and their owners, but I supplied them with food designed to meet their differing nutritional needs. I hold a Certificate in Companion Animal Nutrition (QCF Level 3) awarded by COAPE.

I still trained and worked my own dogs, ‘Picking Up’ on several shoots over the years and compete occasionally at Working Tests, but felt it was time to follow a long-held dream to become a dog trainer.

I completed several Sarah Whitehead courses and became a Clever Dog Licensed Method Trainer with Sarah’s Clever Dog Company for two years, before deciding to go it alone! I have since gained qualifications and registration with the Professional Association of Canine Trainers and the Gun dog Trainers Academy. I am a member of the Pet Professional Guild and registered with the Animal Behaviour Training Council. I am authorised graded course trainer for The Gundog Club.

I love training with working line gundogs particularly Labradors, but I am more than happy to work with any breed of dog! I offer training for both companion dogs and their owners as well as working dogs, whether that be life skills courses, gundog training or hoopers. My training is modern in approach and fun for both dogs and the owner. The training is not prescriptive but has an emphasis on your dog learning to learn and giving you the tools to help him/her do that. These lessons are not designed for the obedience competition ring. I aim to give your dog varying life skills to help make your journey together enjoyable and as stress free as possible. I want you to be able to go for a walk, visit a café or pub or do a day’s work in the field without worrying about their behaviour, I love to watch dogs and their owners progressing in their relationship, developing a bond, building their confidence and learning using these positive, science-based methods.

I offer one to one home visits, and training in very small groups in a secure training paddock. I regularly update my knowledge and experience by attending seminars and workshops. I am fully insured and DBS cleared. All training adheres to the APDT code of practice.