How useful are the bird dog dummies in dog training, am thinking of getting one (we have the canvas ones) if there is a benefit to them.  Only just starting training, so not really sure what equipmet will help us. Was told to get a whistle today and have done that.  Any idea suggestions advice greatly appreciated.  (our first class is Tuesday morning lol)

I presume you mean the one's shaped like a Pheasant of Mallard? They are very useful for certain aspects of training but I would not bother just yet. I would use the money to buy a cheap Game Bag (Turner Richards do a nice one for about £16) Useful whilst training alone for putting the dummies in while you are doing something else such as heel work. I brought a Mallard before I took Anna on a Duck shoot for the first time. Get the dummy work right first.

I hope you enjoy your training Tuesday.

Best wishes, John 

Thankyou for the help John :) I did mean the Mallard dummy and I will leave that for now.  I will order a game bag thats a great idea, have just also ordered your book (thankyou polly for letting me know about it), you should not be so modest :) , your advice is always good sound advice on champdogs :), so I know the book will be the same and the money is going to a great cause too :)

Hi,
John is being very modest here! As always though..... He has written a book which is called "A Simple Approach to Gundog Training" and if you look under idle chat topic on here you will see the link to the labrador rescue site which has the book for sale. John is also a member of the Flatcoated Retriever Society and a United Retriever Club trainer for Bucks URC. So for those flatcoat owners out there.... the book is finally published.

Thankyou for the information I have just ordered my copy :)

Watch it you lot, I'm beginning to have trouble walking through doorways

John,

Hello again. I got my copy last week, and have read it from cover to cover. Its really interesting and very easy to read, Well done:).  I take it that the dog in the pictures is your Anna, she looks a cracker.
  I've already used it for tightening up my re-directions, never thought to use a fence before. I especially like the idea of putting your coat over the barbed wire fence so the dog can 'see' the wire more easily. I've had this problem before with Isla and had to stand there with my arm against the wire for her to jump over, ouch!!!! I like your suggestion much more.

Whens the next one out?

Enjoy Crufts - hope you get to see more of it this year :)
Ali :)

John - are you coming to Crufts this year - didn't dare ask as I thought you said you weren't!!
Be lovely to have a hand............????!! ;_)

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Yes, I shall be there again Jo. I did not know quite what I would be doing this year because of domestic problems but finally decided that a day out would do me good. Let me know if you need me and I'll pack me breeks. lol

Best wishes, John

Yes please John! :-)   Will you wear your champdogs badge and your breeks?     The Keeper's classses aren't until pm, and would very much appreciate a hand in the AV Retriever class, as we've got quite a mob entered....again!

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

OK Jo, will do.

Best wishes, John

Hi Ali. Yes, that's "The Flower" in all her glory. Another thing I sometimes use to cover barbed wire, assuming it's empty, is my game bag. It is also a great help for humans scrambling over barbed wire!!

<<Whens the next one out?>>

NO CHANCE!

Best wishes, John

There's also a forum for gundog training, trials etc.:

http://pub109.ezboard.com/bgundogandbirddogforums

Could you please bring one of your books to Crufts with you, John, so's we can get it signed, so's it's going to be worth a packet in 100 years time?  (not that I'd ever sell it!! :-))

Jo

You're planning to still be around in 100 years time, Jo? ;)

You bet - can't get rid of me as quickly as all that :-0 !!

Jo

Jo

I doubt John has a copy as they are all at the distribution centre now :)

If you still want a copy PM me and I will give you the details of where to get a copy. There may well still be a few signed copies left if you hurry ! ;)

Lucy

Yes please, Lucy - maybe you can e-mail me - what's PM mean??  ignorant, aren't I?

Jo