Gundog Training. It saved us!

For dogs who will be going shooting right? Yes and no.

When we first got Roo gundog training is not something we looked into or even thought about doing mainly because we don't shoot and it isn't something we plan on getting into. But after going through basic training and struggling with Roo's lead walking and reactivity, we reached out on instagram for a recommendation of a good local trainer. A few recommeded ones were gundog trainers. How we came to work with our trainer was mainly due to availablity, during lockdown not many were offering 1-2-1 training and we needed help ASAP. Riverggins however was happy to see us. Maybe it was fate!

Riverggins was suggested to us by a follower who had sent their cocker spaniel to them for board and train, they came with raving reviews. After a quick google and instagram stalk we reached out. James and Katie are amazing, could not recommend them enough. They managed to fit us in the following week for a 1-2-1 session. We talked through our issues with James and began working with him on basic gundog drills - basics, blinds etc. We left that first session with hope, honestly it was more like a therapy session for us than training for Roo. James understood spaniels and the drive they had. He knew how to use this to our advantage and how to engage her. Engagement is the key to all success! He also gave us a realistic idea of what to expect of Roo at her age, which we needed. A 6 month old puppy is not going to behave in the same way as a 4 year old fully trained dog.

At first we were a little hesitant as to whether this would fix our lead walking and reactivity as neither of these were being dealt with head on. But after 3 months of gundog training, we are pleased to say both have improved with Roo's reactivity being basically zero. Lead walking is still a struggle but working on it!

If you have a working dog, even if it doesn't actually work, it still as that drive and desire. Especially working cocker spaniels! Roo loved gundog training, during our first session we could see just how happy she was. Even now, 3 months into it, she is still as happy to be doing it as she was the first time we did it with her. It makes us happy to be able to do something for her that brings her so much joy. Is she perfect, haha no. But its a process and we are happy to be on this journey. Come on, who doesn't want a dog trained to gundog standards. That heel work, that patience. Urgh its the dream.

And a happy dog is also a tired dog! After training sessions, Roo is also exhausted (in the best ways). She is using up mental and physical energy as well as gaining confidence. An hour a day of gundog training is more than enough for Roo at this age (8 months), it keeps her happy and content for the rest of the day meaning a much nicer home environment for the three of us!

Gundog training is so much more than teaching a dog to bring something back. It is about lead/heel work, duration sit/lays, patience, respect, waiting their turn, listening, observing and so much more. Once they have these skills, they can be applied to any situation. What gundog training really teaches is engagement. It is you and your dog, a team. Your dog listening to you, waiting for your signal and getting the reward of fetching something or finding something. A dog that needs no one but you and isn't interested in anything but you. Meaning no more running off to other dogs or people in the park, no more chasing things etc.

If you have a working cocker spaniel with bundles of energy, definitely try and get them booked in for gundog training or see if you can find some drills to practice online. It has completely changed Roo and her relationship with us.

Also, if you live in Norfolk please check out Riverggins. You won't regret it. Or even if you aren't local but don't mind a drive. It's not exactly on our doorstep (100 mile round trip) but it is so worth it.