Gundog – Structured Levels

The advantages of taking a structured level approach to your training means you will develop both your own and your dog’s skills and abilities in a progressive manner, really getting into the detail of good technique and dog-handler partnerships. Perfect for those who like to commit to a course and work on skills development in a planned and effective manner.

If you would like to take tests to assess your level, we can advise you on your suitability for recognised tests such as the Gundog Club Level Assessments and the Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate. Both of these allow non Kennel Club and crossbreed dogs to participate and are non-competitive assessments aimed at developing dog and handler.

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Foundations

This five- week course is designed to set your dog up for success in the learning environment. I see many dogs who are eager to learn, but need some support in settling into a class environment, and in the “learning to learn” process. This course is a “no pressure” environment for you and your dog- so if your dog is struggling to focus and learn especially around other dogs, this is the perfect place to start, with other like-minded people who “get it”! As always, there is a maximum of 4 dogs and handlers in each class, to ensure quality of teaching and learning.  During the five weeks- and depending on your dog- we will look at areas such as;

• Learning to learn- different ways to introduce and train behaviours

• Learning to play- building up our skills in play with our dog

• Learning to rest- helping our dog understand when to switch on and off

• Arousal and impulse control- helping our dogs manage their emotional state

Level 1

This 5 week course will introduce the basics of gundog training, including:

• Recall whistle

• Stop whistle

• Heelwork

• Steadiness

• Focus and engagement

• Basic retrieve pattern

• Clicker use

• Shaping behaviours

There is a maximum of 4 dogs allowed per class, to ensure quality of learning.

 

Level 2

This course is for gundogs and gundog cross breeds that have either completed the Level 1 course, or can demonstrate the following skills: Recall to whistle, stop to whistle. basic marked retrieve. If you need to work on those skills, then Level 1 is suitable for you. This will be assessed in your New to Fundog Gundog session.
 

In this course we will focus on:

• Strengthening our stop and recall whistles- increasing distance and distractions

• Marked retrieves- building on the retrieve pattern build in Level 1

• Hand delivery

• Shaping the "hold"

• Marking the fall

• Steadiness

• Heelwork off-lead

 

Level 3

This course is for gundogs and gundog cross breeds that have either completed the Level 2 course, or who have been assessed in your “New to Fundog Gundog” session and placed at this level.

In this course we will focus on:

• Memory retrieves

• Directional retrieves

• Steadiness- more challenging situations

• Introducing the close hunt whistle

• Introducing the turn whistle

• Developing our hunt patterns

 

Level 4

This course is for gundogs and gundog cross breeds that have either completed the Level 3 course, or who have been assessed in your “New to Fundog Gundog” session and placed at this level.

• Retrieves over obstacles and barriers

• ​Blind retrieves

• Stop to flush

• Stop to fall

• Introduction to shot

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Level 5

This course is for gundogs and gundog cross breeds that have either completed the Level 3 course, or who have been assessed in your “New to Fundog Gundog” session and placed at this level.

• Stop to shot (if you want shot practice)

• Honouring other dogs

• Introduction to game (depending on season and client’s wishes)

• Proofing behaviours (building the challenge)

• Complex retrieves