Season is over now and as usual the dog has got into some small bad habits. Time to sit down and think of a training regime for the summer to sharpen him up and get him focussed. I usually take it easy in February and start to build up training from March. Sojust a wander round the place, knocking off a few pigeons and carrying out a survey at the same time.
Anyone else thinking the same?

Ho hum. After checking my older dog out at the vets once the season finished it appears she's not deaf after all, so it's back to recall and stop whistle training for her.

A couple of my, as of this morning, ex-friends have forced me to enter my younger dog into an early novice test (March, oh my god...), so the training's started early with her. Had specifically avoided entering this certain test as two of my friends are judging - they're going wind me up so much the dog's going to go haywire as they fall about laughing. Friends, eh.

Other than that, rabbit shooting in the Dales over summer (with no hard winter numbers should be higher than the last couple of years), and hopefully tag along pigeon shooting with my ex-friend in spring.

Happy times!

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Good luck with the test. i'm with you, recall and stop whislte are always good to re-train. Certainly doesn't do any harm. And introducing distractions again slowly and build up to simulated shoot days. Tests are a good distraction for a younger dog. As long as you can keep them calm and focussed on you.

Hi Grandad.
I obviously didn't do a lot with the young lads this season but what we did do was very helpful, showed up a few areas that need to be worked on, mainly with the young spanner, he does have a tendancy to get a little too far ahead of the line but he's young and keen, and I've got a few months to work on that. The retreiver, well his only issue is one of patience really, he needs to learn that 'Sitting behind the guns' means just that. Still, as you know they're both still pups and I'm pleased with what they've shown on the couple of occassions I've taken them out. I to will be giving the pigeons a Go over the next few months. Roll on next season.. Cheers Matey. Speak soon. Pete.

Going out on the pigeons today with my guy. No plans to do anything complicated, just gonna plant myself under a tree and have the boy sit with me (keep my feet warm) and see whats around. he's getting a little to excited when the gun comes out and a little more excited when he hears the gun being cocked.

Steadiness training for the dogs and shooting lessons for me are in order.
Both done separately!! The dogs have learnt that i cannot multi-task.

I'm just trying to find a trainer so I can start getting into the seasons - and for that I need to find a shoot too.. ugh long road ahead, but keep the stories coming guys - it gives me something to look forward too and also reminds me what I'm supposed to be doing

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What part of the country are you from?? Maybe someone will know of a shoot nearby..

Nottingham, Pete, I need to find a trainer first, still got some steadiness training, directional training and to hand work to do...

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I'm sure that when you're ready you'll be able to find a shoot to go to, you could try making enquiries at your local gun shop if you have one near. I know that all of the shoots in our area, ( West Wales.) are always glad to welcome newcomers. And nobody is ever judgemental with an inexperienced dog so you dont have to worry about that. Shame you're not closer to me, you'd be more than welcome to come with me.