Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:03 pm Post subject: Gundog trainer for lead/heel work?
Hi all,
I really need to work on Eddies lead work as he pulls like a train at times!ive been reading the various posts on this and have limited success but I feel that a professional trainer could bring us on a lot more.
I wouldn't mind trying some gundog 'stuff' although I very much doubt we'll ever get into it seriously as I don't think either Eddie or myself have it in us and along with some advice I received in another thread I need to get Eddies mind working harder.
Soooo, after all of that would a gundog trainer be able/willing to help or would a 'normal' trainer be ok? I'm located nr Manchester if anyone has suggestions for trainers - so far I've found West Lancs Gundogs and Bottlingwood from Google searches but don't know how good they are.
I don't know of any Gundog trainers near by. I looked for me and Lottie when she was younger and booked onto a course but it was quite a distance. The course was cancelled and Lottie was diagnosed with elbow OCD at the same time!
There is a recommended trainer in Mobberley/Wilmslow who I have been told about many times
http://damianriley.com/
We went to Vic Barlow in Macclesfield who was strict but excellent..he also has classes in Morley Green near Wilmslow. He is a lab breeder and also a gundog man but I don't know that he does one to one
http://www.vicbarlow.com/
Hope that helps.I think you said you were in Sale so both these are fairly close,just down the M56!!
Honestly I would say if you aren't really into the whole gundog thing, you would be just as well to go to a good obedience class.
Not to say a gundog trainer couldn't or wouldn't help you, but its probably not the kind of advice you need if you really aren't going to be going towards gundog training with him.
Heel work is not really about someone teaching you how, but about you enforcing and practicing and practicing and practicing and practicing.
A good local obedience class could put you on the right path then its just a case of putting in the work at home!
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I reckon you'd be surprised how much u enjoy Gundog training it's addictive. Not only will it help with recall and heel work and how to achieve it and what to practice but all the retrieving exercises are great to do when out on walks etc to keep him intersted and his brain working
Not in the right area to advise on trainers but good luck
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Like I said in my first post I did want to do the Gundog stuff with Lottie but she wouldn't have been up to it with her joints so it was a good job the course was cancelled.
Both the trainers I have mentioned come very highly recommended and if you were more interested in gundoggery,Vic would be a good man to speak to as he works his own dogs.
Thanks for the advice and tips everyone. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get involved with gundog training I'm just not sure Eddie has it in him, he's not the most calm and focused of dogs although we are working on this .
I may give Vic a ring Barbera although I'm a bit nervous now as you said he was strict
Feebarn, I know I'm going to have to put in a lot of practice I just thought that if someone showed me the techniques rather than me just reading them then things may flow a little easier.
AndyB I believe there is a big misconception when the term Gundog Training is used, there a lot written in the link I sent you.Ignore the fact that that a "gundog" would be expected to work on and with living creatures when its training is finished.
That does not have to be the case as you will find out if you get involved.
The dog is taught general obedience,
its taught recall,
its taught to walk nicely at heel,
its taught to remain steady at heel until told to go,
Its taught to carry and hold a retrieve and not drop it at for feet barking for you to pick it back up.
Its taught to take directions, left right and back.
The process to all the above is quite simple, there is an excellent little book written by JohnW of this forum
rum which is well worth the pittance they charge for it. Posting is another good way of learning but first set your stall out start at the beginning with the basics,
Train within reason at the dogs pace. You'll both learn more and you'll be less likely to cut corners.
At the end of the day you should have a dog thats a pleasure to take out, and will have gained possibly an interest and understanding of gundog work and training.
You will still have a dog that is capable of having wappy fits and careering at full speed round a field when its deemed to be acceptable
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and along with some advice I received in another thread I need to get Eddies mind working harder.
it's addictive. Not only will it help with recall and heel work and how to achieve it and what to practice but all the retrieving exercises are great to do when out on walks etc to keep him intersted and his brain working 
