Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject: gundog training a 7year old starter. I've booked a grade 1!!
HI,
I've just found out that our local agricultural college is doing gundog training classes and I would like to take Zorro. Mainly because I am desperate to do something new regards to training and also as a 'dry-run' for if I get a new keepsy-pup next year who I might want to do gundog work with.
What I'm wondering is whether I should go for the starters lessons or the intermediate.
Zorro has never done gundog work before but, as an retired assistance dog, his obidience is good and he knows how to retrieve on command BUT its more like the mobile phone or the washing out of the washing machine! He's never been 'into' fetching balls and doggy-games like that.
The course aren't cheap and I don;t want to fork out for the starters course if I'm going to get all frustrated and bored if everyone else is teaching their dogs to walk to heel and sit and stay, but on the other hand, other than going beating with Hartley a long time ago, I'm a complete beginner.
So 2 questions:- Is it a bit daft starting gundog training with a 7 year old dog? (I'm not expecting to make him up into a field champion-whatever-you-call-them....it would purely be recreational)
and:- Which course should I go for? Beginners or intermediate?
Many thanks in advance,
Becs and The Gang
Last edited by Becs on Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:55 pm; edited 1 time in total
as its practice for newby pup id do the starter course to get a flavour for whats involved after all even if zorro is good enough to do the intermediates class your stylish wellies need to get dirty in a beginners class sooner or later. its alot harder than the experienced hands on here make it sound, but it does improve your swearing capacity no end
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:11 pm Post subject: Re: gundog training a 7year old starter?
Becs wrote:
So 2 questions:- Is it a bit daft starting gundog training with a 7 year old dog? (I'm not expecting to make him up into a field champion-whatever-you-call-them....it would purely be recreational)
and:- Which course should I go for? Beginners or intermediate?
Hello Becs,
try it! It will be a good thing for Zorro. What class, you must tested.
Renate with Vlekje (11 years old)
Last edited by duinhorst on Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:39 pm; edited 1 time in total
I have to say Becs if it is quite expensive I'm not sure I would bother, but then I'm a tight wad . I'm not saying that Zorro is too old but if your basic obedience is quite good you would be wasting your time in the beginner class and if Zorro does not have a "gundog type" retrieve you would be wasting your time in the intermediate.
Sorry that probably isn't the answer you wanted but it is my honest opinion.
Becs, are they running the classes at the same venue and on the same night? if so then go along and perhaps start out in the beginner's class and if you find out that you're waaaay to good for that one ( ) I'm sure that the trainer will move you over to the intermediate.
That is normally how we would do it at our training classes - people come along and join one group but might have to move up or down - perfectly normal. I'm sure the trainer will point you in the right direction once he/she has met you and your dog
Natasha
just edited to make a comment about the price - if this is run by your local gundog club, they would normally not charge more than about £30-£50 (that is the most expensive that I know about) for 8-10 lessons. If it's a 'pay-as-you-go' i.e pay for the days that you come and not paid up front, then it should be about £5/lesson.
____________
WLF All the Way!!!!
"Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can´t eat it or hump it. **** on it and walk away..."
Thanks for the advice so far. It's £95 for 6x2 hour sessions - is that expensive?. It's run as a course and I think they are waiting until they have enough numbers to start and then they'll start with the beginners class with the novice following on after that, so I can't go for a look first- which is a bit of a bu88er!!
I don't excpext to ever get to any sort of decent standard with Zorro, cos a gun-dog he ain't (although rather more so than Ted!) but I really want to do 'something' and none of my present gang would be suitable for agility and there aren't any decent obedience classes locally, and none are show-dogs so ringcraft is out, plus I have just bought some rather splendid 'Durberry-type' leather boots that are crying out to go to gundog training!!!
Perhaps you could ask them for a breakdown of what the course covers. Two hours is a blinkin long time for a beginner dog to be working, so I guess they must build something else into the course. Perhaps they demonstrate what they are looking for or go into detail by talking through each section.
It is not that expensive if you actually get something out of it.(Cheaper than a pair of Dubarry boots anyway ) It sounds like they will only go on to do the intermediate class if enough people from the beginner class want to carry on, so that narrows down your choices.
"Dubarry-TYPE boots" Jill! With the enthasise on the 'Type'!!!! I could have bought half of a decent lab puppy with the price they charge for the real-thing!!!
I think I'll go along and give it a go. It would be good for me and Zorro to get out training again- we are both becoming far too sluggish and middle-aged! If it's a complete waste of time then Zorro and I will have to move on to Flower Arranging or 'Co-ordinating your Xmas Decorations' for beginners!
Sorry Becs I missed the TYPE bit . I thought you had won the lottery or something.
At least by starting in the beginner class you will get to see the stages that you would need to go through with a new pup so it will definitely not be wasted and who knows what Zorro will be capable of along the way.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
. I'm not saying that Zorro is too old but if your basic obedience is quite good you would be wasting your time in the beginner class and if Zorro does not have a "gundog type" retrieve you would be wasting your time in the intermediate.
) I'm sure that the trainer will move you over to the intermediate.
