Clients day out on a live game training shoot, Southport, Preston, Lancashire.

Today I arrange for a few of my clients to experince a walked up training day with pheasants and partridge.  The grounds I gained access to are used on occasions for field trial test training days and birds are in abundance.  In fact the keeper had released 18,000 birds this year which was looking to made for a very interesting day.

The day consisted of 4 drives, the first a walked up with birds being pushed forward, provided us with a small number of birds making retrieves simple which was what I needed for my clients.  For many of the dogs it was their first experince on a shoot.

The second drive proved challenges with partridge and pheasants flying fast and in large numbers.  On this drive I had Zara my 2 year old Labrador who after 12 months of challenging training I wasn’t expecting her to shine, but in fact she was the star of this drive.  Standing next to 3 guns she almost looked like an owl turning her head marking all shot birds.  Lola the Labrador handled by Sue also deliverd some great birds to hand and worked well with steadiness to shot.

The third drive was another challenging drive which saw Luke the Flatcaoted Retriever handled by Gayle working on some hard distance retrieves landing in the ditches.  For this Luke needed some careful and confident handle.  On one retrieve Luke wasn’t for retrieving the bird Gayle sent him for, but with distance control and patience he eventually retrievd the bird.  Well done!!!

After some liquid refreshments and lunch we drove to the fourth and final drive, Paul who was handling Lilly the Cocker Spaniel who is currently residing with me for residential gundog training worked her well.  Seen in the picture she confidently retrievd pheasants and partridges to hand.

The day was a huge success and one of many available to clients and there dogs.  It’s important to ensure your dog is ready for the field.  I receive many calls from new clients with problems such as running in, free hunting and just ignorance to commands.  The main reason for most problems is rushing out in the shooting field without instiling the basics and some training on game.

Posted: October 13, 2014