Residential Gundog Training with Peppa the Labrador

Peppa the Labrador arrived with me just over 2 week ago for some residential gundog training.  Her owner Steve is a keen shooting man and plans to have Peppa at his peg on over 25 100 bird days.  Steve has trained Peppa over the first 12 months from Joe Irvine’s gundog book and has achieved some good results.

Peppa is a timid girl that lacks confidence, this was highlighted when I tried to work her in group scenarios.  As Peppa is trained predominately on her own she lacks the exposure needed to build her confidence but also to teach her how to work in a group, something that’s certainly needed on a shoot day. Her deliverance of dummies was also a problem as she’s shy to deliver.  This has been caused from her habit of picking up animal poo on walks and being shouted to leave.  This has now been resolved using positive training methods.

It important to remember that whilst it’s good to read books and watch videos the experience of a trainer, observing you and your dog is invaluable.  If Peppa had been seen earlier I could have helped correct some of the confidence issues, but it’s never to late and the last few weeks have proved that with positive training.

Posted: May 9, 2015