Teach Your Gundog (2025)

16/08/2025

We’re now offering a 10% discount when you book any three group classes together.

If you have multiple dogs, you don’t need to stick to the same level or day and can mix and match the different sessions.

The discount is applied automatically at checkout, so you don't need to enter a code. Just choose three classes, add them to your basket, and the saving will appear before you pay.

This is ideal for anyone wanting to build consistency in their training and a great way to commit and save.

If you haven't been to a Teach Your Gundog group gundog training class before, you'll be pleased to know our classes are small, supportive and welcoming.

Head to the website and book any three group classes to receive your 10% discount. The offer is live now and applied automatically at checkout.

If you have any questions about which group will be right for you, please DM us or email [email protected]

📸 Alice Loder Photography

13/08/2025

Thank you so much to Johnny for sharing this.

Messages like this really do mean the world and remind us why I do what I do. Johnny's words are a powerful reminder of how the bond between dog and handler can be nurtured with the right support.

Training a gundog isn’t always straightforward. And if the relationship has been rocky, it’s easy to feel stuck or discouraged. But things can change. As Johnny and Bea have shown, progress is always possible when you shift the approach and rebuild the connection.

Whether you’re brand new to gundog training or coming back after a difficult patch, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

Thinking of getting started? Take a look at our group classes and 121s online, or drop us a message if you’d like help choosing the right option. And if we’ve helped you and your dog on your journey, we’d love to hear from you too.

10/08/2025

When our gundogs leave the water and put down the dummy to shake, it’s because all wet dogs have a natural desire to shake the water off, which would otherwise start to chill them and decrease their body temperature.

Genetically, gundogs do have innate attributes that make them suited for water, like water-repellent double coats. But water can still disrupt the air between these layers of fur, which keeps them insulated, and it also adds a lot more weight, particularly for heavier-coated dogs. And so, the need to shake is still inherent.

For most dogs, this typically happens after they’ve gone swimming and the water has reached their withers area - the bit between the shoulder blades.

But, we must remember that all dogs are different and some do also feel the desire to shake with a much smaller amount of water, much lower down on their fur. It will be beneficial for your training if you have gotten to know your individual dog’s limits and preferences.

One of the best ways to teach your gundog to deliver water retrieves to hand, is to help them delay the need to shake and build their ability to withstand being wet for a short duration.

Putting the shake ‘on cue’ will not always prevent your dog from shaking when they’re not cued to, but it does build their ability to wait to shake and increase their understanding of where you would like the shake to come in relation to the water retrieve chain.

With practice and plenty of reinforcement for getting it right, over time, our dogs learn that it is more rewarding for them to fight their urge to drop the dummy and to put the retrieve article in your hand instead before shaking.

Want to learn more about achieving a hand delivery from water? Head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/getting-a-hand-delivery-from-water

📸 Alice Loder Photography

07/08/2025

Even if you have a solid delivery to hand on land, it can be hard for our dogs to translate this to water retrieves.

When they leave the water, unless you’ve been proactive with your early training and introduction to water, it’s very common for our gundogs to immediately put the dummy down as soon as their paws touch dry land.

If this is happening to you, the first thing to remember is that your dog has not suddenly forgotten how to retrieve, nor are they purposefully disobeying you or ignoring your cues to deliver to hand.

You see, shaking their wet coat is just a natural instinctual behaviour they’re born with. And while a small percentage of dogs are able to shake while holding something in their mouth, for the vast majority, the need to shake is often the trigger to drop the dummy.

From a gundog training point of view, this is less than ideal and poses us with a real challenge.

In the shooting field, we always want shot game to be delivered tenderly to hand as soon as possible. This is because it is not only our responsibility to ensure it ends up on the table as part of a healthy meal, but from an ethical point of view, we need to humanely dispatch any injured quarry.

Now, if our dog puts down an injured bird to shake after it’s climbed out of a river or pond, there’s a high risk that the injured bird will get up and run off. And if your dog is unable to recapture the wounded game, then we have failed in both aspects of our responsibility.

Even if you don’t plan to work your gundog, if you’d like to compete in working tests, or participate in gundog certification schemes like the Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate or Gundog Club Graded Training Field Tests, you will need to have a delivery to hand out of water to avoid getting zeros and being disqualified in the former, or being deemed not ready to pass in the latter.

Fortunately, as gundog trainers, we should be more than used to working around our gundogs’ in-built instincts. Using positive reinforcement techniques, we can teach them that it’s even more rewarding to work with us, even if it feels unnatural to them at first.

With this in mind, this blog will look at why our gundogs need to shake, why we can’t expect them to deliver from water if they can’t on land, and how to put the shake on cue to teach your gundog to wait until after they have delivered before shaking.

To read in full head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/getting-a-hand-delivery-from-water

To read in full head to the "Blog" link in bio.

04/08/2025

Here at Teach Your Gundog, we will be running two water training workshops in Loxwood, West Sussex, designed to help you and your gundog get the most out of working in and around water.

The workshops will run on Saturday 16 August and Saturday 13 September. Each day will include a 9.30am to 11.30am Beginners session and a 12 noon to 2.00pm Progressive session.

Each session is limited to six handlers so you’ll get personal guidance and plenty of practical time.

The beginners sessions are ideal for all breeds who are already confident entering the water and swimming on cue. You’ll learn how to move on to the full water retrieve pattern looking at confident entry, a bit of steadiness, and shaking on cue.

The progressive sessions are also for all gundog breeds, but with more water experience. We’ll refine delivery to hand out of water, add a few challenges depending on the group, and continue building steadiness and confidence.

For Beginner head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/products/beginners-water-workshop

For Progressive head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/products/progressive-water-workshop

01/08/2025

Here's what's coming up at Teach Your Gundog in August and September...

PUPPY GUNDOG
All breeds under 8 months. No experience required. Saturdays, 09:30-10:30, Haslemere
• 9 August
• 23 August
• 6 September
• 27 September

FOUNDATION GUNDOG
All breeds over 8 months. No experience required.
Wednesdays, 12:00-13:00, Haslemere
• 6 August
• 27 August
• 10 September
• 24 September

Saturdays, 10:45-11:45, Haslemere
• 9 August
• 23 August
• 6 September
• 27 September

PROGRESSIVE GUNDOG
For all breeds that are working at Grade 3 and 4 level.
Wednesdays, 10:00-11:30, Haslemere
• 6 August
• 27 August
• 10 September
• 24 September

[NEW] Fridays, 10:00-11:30, Haslemere
• 8 August
• 29 August
• 26 September

MONTHLY ADVANCED GUNDOG
Open to all breeds working at Grade 4 and 5 level.
Fridays, 09:30-11:00, Loxwood
• 15 August
• 12 September

BEGINNER WATER WORKSHOPS
Open to all breeds, looking at retrieving from water.
Saturdays, 09:30-11:00, Oakhurst Pond, Loxwood
• 16 August
• 13 September

PROGRESSIVE WATER WORKSHOPS
Open to all breeds, looking at progressing water retrieves.
Saturdays, 12:00-14:00, Oakhurst Pond, Loxwood
• 16 August
• 13 September

Can't make any of the dates? Or want to focus on something specific? You can also book one to one sessions with Jules on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

For booking and more information head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/collections/all

21/07/2025

Not every dog thrives in a group.

And not every gundog training challenge fits neatly into a class structure.

That’s where one-to-one training sessions with Jules come in.

Some owners book 121s because timing works better than classes. Others want to dig into specific issues, especially when something's not quite working. Many simply want the space to ask "silly" questions and learn without distractions or the pressure of a group.

Whether your dog struggles to focus around other dogs, gets anxious in new settings, or if you just need to crack one specific behaviour, a 121 can make all the difference.

There’s no pressure to keep pace with a group. No waiting for your turn while your dog’s stress builds. Just calm, focused training time with expert eyes on you and your dog.

Some owners book 121s because timing works better than classes. Other want to dig into specific issues, especially when something's not quite working. Many simply want the space to ask "silly" questions and learn without distractions or the pressure of a group.

To book a one-to-one with Jules today and get personalised support tailored to your dog, head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/products/in-person-121-with-jules

19/07/2025

After thirty years of training dogs, she notices the things most people miss. The subtle tail flick. The shift in focus. The slight hesitation in a retrieve. And it's these tiny moments that often hold the key to what’s really going on in your training.

It’s why our clients have lightbulb moments, often in just one session.

Jules doesn’t just tell you what to do either. She shows you why your dog is doing what they’re doing and how to adjust your timing, body language or reward placement to change the outcome.

When you train with Jules, whether in classes or 121s, you won’t be left wondering if you’re doing it right. You’ll get live feedback in the moment.

Her goal is to give you clear, consistent advice, and to catch mistakes early, before they become habits.

That’s the difference an expert gundog trainer can make.

Thinking about training your gundog with a professional? Whether in class or one-to-one, you’ll get practical support and sound advice in a friendly, force-free environment.

For more details, drop us a DM or head to https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/collections/all

15/07/2025

There is plenty of potential for the introduction to gunshot to go awry, so I highly recommend that you seek a gundog professional's help.

If you’d like support introducing your dog to the sound of shot, you’re very welcome to book a 121 session, where I can guide you through the process in a controlled and positive way, tailored to your dog’s needs.

We also cover shot introduction as part of our group training classes, so if you’re attending regularly, it’s something we’ll work on when your dog is ready.

Shot is usually introduced to classes once your dog has a complete retrieve with delivery and we have progressed the Get It Game to support self control on thrown dummies.

If you would like to book a 121, please head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/products/in-person-121-with-jules

📸 Alice Loder Photography

13/07/2025

Continuing gundog training beyond the basics isn’t just for those heading into the shooting field. It’s for anyone who wants to keep their gundog mentally stimulated, physically active, and emotionally balanced.

Once your gundog has a solid foundation, it’s easy to think that the training is over. But is it?

Structured training gives your gundog a job. It taps into the natural instincts they were bred for: hunting, retrieving, sniffing, searching, solving problems.

These activities don’t just exercise their body. They challenge their brain.
And that’s when we really see truth in the phrase "a tired dog is a good dog".

A mentally worked gundog is a calmer, relaxed, fulfilled dog. A spaniel that’s less likely to dig up the garden, a labrador that's not going to chew the skirting board or a HPR that's not barking for attention.

And on top of that, you continue to be their source of fun, not just the person who puts food in a bowl or clips on a lead.

So, if your dog already knows the basics, keep going. Keep training. After all, it's a lifelong journey, not a tick-box task.

Ready to move beyond the basics? Our classes are designed to challenge, stretch and inspire gundogs of all breeds and ability. DM or email [email protected] to find out which group is the best fit for you and your dog.

Otherwise, you can browse all our classes and workshops at https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/collections/all

11/07/2025

The following recipe can be used for cap guns, party poppers and a starting pistol.

For this exercise you will need a helper so that you can give your dog your undivided attention.

Step one:
Have your dog sit or stand by your side looking forward, and make sure you have your reward ready.

Step two:
Choose a distance that you can hear the shot at, but it is not so loud as to cause you to startle. The dog needs to be aware of it and orientate to it, but not ‘startle’ at it.

Step three:
Fire the shot, and engage the dog in the chosen reward process. Repeat three times, and if there is no reaction and everything is fine move to the next step. Otherwise, stop here.

Step four:
Fire the shot, take a pause to allow the dog to absorb the information and then engage in the chosen reward process. You are looking for the dog to orientate and be alert to the shot in anticipation of what is coming from you. Repeat three times. If there is no reaction and everything is fine move to the next step. Otherwise, stop.

Step five:
You can move on to party poppers and repeat the process from step four. If there is no reaction and everything is fine, move to the next step. Otherwise, stop.

Step six:
At this point introduce the starter pistol and repeat the process from step four. If there is no reaction and everything is fine move to the next step otherwise stop.

Step seven:
You can now begin to decrease the distance between you and the shot. Repeat step four. If there is no reaction and everything is fine move to the next step. Otherwise, stop for this session.

Step eight:
Now introduce a formal retrieve to the process. Set your dog up for a marked retrieve. Get your helper to fire the shot, throw an article, pause, send your dog, and have a party on their return. Finish there.

Remember: it is essential that you keep a close eye on your puppy or dog and that you stop the training session immediately if you see any signs of avoidance, flight, or distress.

Want to learn more about introducing your gundog to shot? Head to: https://www.teachyourgundog.co.uk/blogs/news/introduction-to-shot-the-one-stage-of-training-you-need-to-get-right-the-first-time

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