Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:42 pm Post subject: Is 6 too old to start gundog training?
We went to a gundog training group with Harvey, that is just for HPRS. Alan took part in a puppy class with Harvey, while I took Indy and the kids to a lake, and we played fetch. And now I'm thinking it would be fun for Indy (and me) to do it too.
As Indy is 6, will most groups take on novices at that age? And if they do, will I be a laughing stock if I turn up and have a dog that is put to shame by younger, more obedient dogs? I'm sure my dog handling skills have plenty of room for improvement! I haven't got any dreams of entering competitions, I just think it would be a fun way to engage Indy's brain, and I don't see why Harvey and Alan should have all the fun!
I have just logged on to ask the same question !!!!
Sorry to hijack this - Tilly is 16 months and has never retrieved anything - she will chase something but never bring it back! Have we left it too late for gundog training?
How do I find a good trainer (there are no KC registered ones in Dorset) ?
Tilly is still young, at her age I bet you could do lots with her. Indy is middle aged, but he is a good retriever. He's brought me mice before (live and perfectly healthy) and dropped them at my feet too! Well, they were healthy until my other dog ate them.
I think it depends what you want to get out of it and how much time you want to spend to achieve it but then to be fair, the same can be said of a puppy.
If you want to try it and they enjoy it, go for it. It's unlikely they will become a field trial champion but then it's unlikely most dogs will. I think you could achieve a lot with some time , patience and a good trainer.
It was the Surrey and Hampshire German Shorthaired Pointer Club. They train all hunter, pointer, retriever breeds, not Labradors though. I did feel a bit out of place there with Indy, which is why we cleared off to a lake away from everyone! I got a few tongue in cheek comments about Labs not being allowed.
Aren`t Labs Retrievers in their eyes then?, seems strange they do all Retrievers except Labs.
Yes Mary, but they are not Hunt, Point and Retriever, (HPR) so would not work with HPR's in the same way that HPR's could not go training with the United Retriever Club. It's a different discipline.
I would say no. We met a lovely couple this year at a test who never even knew what gun dog training was until their dog was about 4. They didnt start training until he was 5 and at 7 he has just won his first novice. Gave us heart - especially with the ups and down we have with our lad
Chocsaway - whereabouts in Dorset are you? I live in Bournemouth and go to the German Shorthaired Pointer club (South West branch) with Leo -again its HPR training but I do know that there is gundog training held over at Hurn near Parley crossroads for Retrievers and Spaniel breeds - its the Christchurch and district gundog training club, if you google it they have a website which will give you all the info you need to know.
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 sure my dog handling skills have plenty of room for improvement! I haven't got any dreams of entering competitions, I just think it would be a fun way to engage Indy's brain, and I don't see why Harvey and Alan should have all the fun!
Indy is middle aged, but he is a good retriever. He's brought me mice before (live and perfectly healthy) and dropped them at my feet too! Well, they were healthy until my other dog ate them. 
Gave us heart - especially with the ups and down we have with our lad 
