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.

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Joining classes: Please note, if you have previous gundog training experience with your current dog then you must attend a 1:1 session before booking, so that you can be assessed and placed in the correct level.

 

If you have no previous experience with your dog, especially in an outside environment, then you need to start with the Fundog Gundog Foundation 3 lesson short course, as some dogs struggle to focus in the exciting outside environment, so we need to work on that first before joining a group class. If you have a puppy under 6 months, then the Gundog Puppy classes are your starting point.

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Foundation

​This is a 3 session package working on Level 1 skills, to get you started in gundog training. ​​

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Level 1

This 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​

 

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. 
 

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 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 and placed at this level.

• Retrieves over obstacles and barriers

• ​Blind retrieves

• Stop to flush

• Stop to fall

• Introduction to shot

• Progressing hunting skills

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Level 5

This course is for gundogs and gundog cross breeds that have either completed the Level 4 course, or who have been assessed 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

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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.