I have a gsp from working stock aged approx 16 months old.  Have been out beating on local pheasant shoot and cant stop him ranging too far ahead and not lsitening to me.  He listens and obeys perfectly whilst out on normal walks and around house and garden and will heel and return to whistle immediately.  On shoots he just turns deaf and comes back on his terms or when i yell incessantly ( bit embarassing ! ) I was wondering if it because when i walk him normally I walk with lots of other dogs that run all over so i let him ' get away ' with it on a normal walk ( just calling him back now and again ) where as a lot of the gundogs i work with are kennelled and so dont go out on daily walks with friends. ( Mine lives inside as part of the family )  What do you gundog experts think ? and more to the point what can I do ?? Any advice appreciated. ( ps. that aside we love him to bits and he is the perfect family dog )

Running with others is certainly not going to help you. You really need to be with him as a one to one situation so you are able to give him your undivided attention.

Free hunting is a big no no. When out walking he should never be allowed to free hunt. Any hunting should be at your command only. (Even if that means trying to find non gamey areas to walk)

We are fast approaching the end of this season, just a month to go. After the season is finished, with your keeper's permission, walk around the area. Insist he walks under control at all times, if necessary on lead. Pick the easy places well away from hedges, woodland and game crop to start with and if necessary on the lead. Without the excitement of gunfire your life will be easier. Gradually, and remember there is no rush, you have plenty of time before the next season, move into more tempting areas. Start closer to hedges for a start and only go into woodland when you are confident you have control.

I have a wood near me which is alive with Squirrels. I take my Lab and sit her up on the edge of a clearing and watch them play. It's almost as good as a rabbit pen! Later in the season I sit her outside the release pens whilst I'm inside feeding and watering. A little "Dogging in" before the season start will give you some good practise but I stress the "Little"

When you start beating next season, keep on the lead at all times when not working. Leave him in the car until the off and back on the lead when walking between drives. Everything to give him time to calm down between drives.

Best wishes, John