Hi all, I was just after picking some brains about gundog training for fun rather than a sport (if that makes sense)

I have a 14 month old show breed lab and I was interested in some kind of gundog training. Now this is my 1st dog so I know little about things like this so my questions are

Can you train for fun
Are show breeds any good
And how do you get started


I tried to find info of classes in Harrogate but came with nothing close by.

Thanks in advance

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Yes you can train for fun, your dog will love it

Yes "show" bred dogs are good, all Labs should be able to work

Try asking at Gundog societies for training classes

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RIP all my babies.
Monty LabxGSD 1972-1982
Jody Black Lab1982-1999
KizzyLabx Goldie 1983-1994
Larry Yellow Lab 1985-1993
Charlie Black Lab 1986 -1997
Ben Yellow Lab 1985-1999
Pud Choc Lab 1989-2003
Bridgit Black Lab 1991-2004
Floss Yellow Lab1992-2006
Millie Yellow Lab1994-2010
My boy Ted, my first my last my everything.Golden Retriever 1/8/98-28/6/2011

I says what she says!
Yes, yes and YES again"!

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Good stuff. Will look into it tomorrow

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

The Gundog Club do training for pet dogs and use positive methods.

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General classes and working tests include dummies only, they're not on cold game, so nothing to worry about on that front. Classes are for general obedience mainly, it just fits around how the dogs work when out on a shoot. If you want any recommendations for your area give me a shout and I'll see if I can pick a few brains for you

I dont usually reccomend training books (probably because I dont read them) I did however read in a dog magazine a serialisation of a book called the Pet Gundog by Lez Graham, and it was very good. Apparently she has now Brought out a follow up one according to Grandad on here. He thinks they are good Books too and he actually has Gun Dog Breeds that work in the field I think. However they are aimed at training gun dog breeds who are just pets in a specific way. So that might be something worth looking into.

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Try contacting URC - The United Retriever Club. They are a national club so should cover your area. We trained our labs with them, not planning to work them, but ultimately ended up picking up on Exmoor with them! You could also go the Working Trials route through this type of training. They were a friendly bunch who were really helpful with our young dogs. Good luck!

The United Retriever Club promotes the breeding, showing and working of all breeds of retriever

have a look on here

The Gundog Club

Thanks for the link, there is one in Leeds so will contact them.

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL