Testimonial – Gundog Training Hazel the Springer Spaniel.

I contacted Damian to discuss my ESS, Hazel. Hazel had been bought at 4 months old and was quite quiet or even timid, she came with a special skill, head down, ears closed and running off, 3 hours at a time hunting for her was not fun & needed correcting if she was to make any form of gundog, I had read about Damian reversing this behaviour in a Cocker Spaniel so I knew he had the experience I was looking for and a lot more. After a discussion on the phone I was asked to start completing certain basic tasks like heelwork, sitting and recall, having spent a month doing this Damian & I met at his training fields somewhere near Preston and he took me through from the basics to quartering and then stopping on the whistle.

Having spent 2 hours in Damians company I had learnt so much and he had even pointed areas where I needed to improve and change my behaviour, I thought I was doing things right but Damian didn’t…!

Well several months on and I am pleased to say that Hazel & I have bonded to the point where I now have trust in her not ‘running off’ and can take her through heavy cover putting up pheasants, pigeons and rabbits without fear of her being 3 fields away in a few seconds, after spotting a Muntjac across an open field on our morning training session she sat 1st pip on the whistle without any thought of a chase. I floated home on air chuffed to bits at this lil girl doing what I had asked of her.

We still have a lot of work to do to be ready for the upcoming season and at 15 months old she has tried to become a rebellious teenager without success, I have an idea how to handle her and if I’m in doubt there is a friendly knowedgable voice at the end of the phone to ask for help & advice. Hazel is now a lively ESS with her nose planted and ears open ready to listen.

I couldn’t reccomend Damian enough, his approach and patience is invaluable and I am so pleased I took the step & rang him.

Posted: September 5, 2013