Gundog Training Northampton

03/09/2025

Everyone has their own ideas about which words to use for commands, so I have not listed specific cues here. Choose simple words that feel natural to you and stick with them every time. Training works best when your words stay the same, no matter where you are. If you keep your commands clear and your practice steady, your dog will catch on quickly and stay confident. Put ting in steady effort now sets you and your dog up for success later, both when you train and out in the field. Patience and clear steps take you further than rushing or switching things up.

When you start training a gundog, patience really pays off. Take your time before adding a whistle. Begin with voice commands so your dog knows exactly what you want. A clear voice gives your dog something steady to foll...

30/08/2025

Another fantastic workshop today. It was great to see some new faces, and you all did an amazing job, so well done. I hope you have all taken something valuable from today....

27/08/2025

26/08/2025

Walked up Workshop

Join us on Saturday, 30th August, for a hands-on workshop from 10am to 2pm.

Cost is £60 per handler.

We will start the morning with focused heel work and teaching dogs to stop at the sound of the gun.

After a short break, the session will move into walk-up exercises that reflect real-day scenarios. These will help handlers and dogs improve their teamwork. This setup gives everyone time to build confidence and learn new skills in a structured setting.

This will be held at our training ground at Potterspury: what3words location sues.rattled.herring

To reserve your place, please visit www.paypal.me/gundogtrainingnorth

26/08/2025

Every effective dog trainer uses play and reward when teaching new behaviours. While this helps most dogs learn faster, I also include all four quadrants of operant conditioning: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment. Using the full range of techniques gives the dog clear feedback. Positive reinforcement, such as a treat or praise, helps dogs learn which actions gain rewards. Negative reinforcement, like releasing pressure when the dog meets a cue, lets the dog know relief follows the right choice. Positive punishment, such as a sharp, clear sound to stop unwanted behaviour, shows the dog the action has a drawback. Negative punishment, such as removing attention or a toy, also teaches that certain actions lose them something they want. Ignoring any of these steps shows a gap in understanding how dogs learn. A balanced approach brings clarity and helps the dog feel secure, since every action brings a clear result. Play and reward engage the dog’s mind and build trust, but clear communication ensures the training lasts. Trainers who avoid parts of the process often miss key changes in behaviour, reducing the depth and speed of the dog’s learning. Using all parts of operant conditioning means each lesson is stronger, more reliable, and focused on the needs of both the dog and the owner.

24/08/2025

Another great session with the beginner gundog, focusing on one of the core skills in training, which is patience, and how to gradually increase the distance you can move away from your dog without them disengaging from you. Finishing as always with the retrieve work....

23/08/2025

If I chose to work with a dog trainer, I’d want real progress, not just kind words or empty praise. When I look at comments on some trainers’ posts, I see too many people asking for shortcuts or easy answers. That doesn’t help anyone improve. Owners need strategies that fix behaviour, not just make them feel better for a moment. Change takes honesty and effort, not sympathy. As a trainer, I support everyone I work with, but seeing results matters when you want the best for your dog.

18/08/2025

Gundog training forges a true partnership. Dog and handler move as one, each reading the other in every moment. For generations, these dogs have worked by our side, tracking scent, retrieving, waiting with steady nerves. Instinct alone is not enough.
https://tinyurl.com/axvz8r6v

Gundog training forges a true partnership. Dog and handler move as one, each reading the other in every moment. For generations, these dogs have worked by our side, tracking scent, retrieving, waiting with steady nerves....

14/08/2025

Everyone is watching the run, but the real test happens inside that small, marked square. This one-metre box is where nerves show, careful handling matters, and times can change in a moment.

13/08/2025

There are still a few spaces left....

Walked up Workshop

Join us on Saturday, 30th August, for a hands-on workshop from 10am to 2pm.

Cost is £60 per handler.

We will start the morning with focused heel work and teaching dogs to stop at the sound of the gun.

After a short break, the session will move into walk-up exercises that reflect real-day scenarios. These will help handlers and dogs improve their teamwork. This setup gives everyone time to build confidence and learn new skills in a structured setting.

This will be held at our training ground at Potterspury: what3words location sues.rattled.herring

To reserve your place, please visit www.paypal.me/gundogtrainingnorth

11/08/2025

New article available to read or listen to....

No matter if we are teaching good manners at home, building protection skills, or preparing a gundog for the field, the foundations of dog training remain the same. At the heart of it all sit the four quadrants of behavi...

11/08/2025