My GSP is 15 months now, and although she was bought purely as a pet, i would now like to do some pointer training with her.  She is reasonably well trained using a gundog dummy, and always returns to whistle(unless she comes across a cat), so i was thinking about spending a week in the summer at a gundog training school of sorts where we can both learn working trials. I was just wondering if anyone can recommend any, preferabely in the south west. I dont expect to end up with a field trial champion, but i think the extra training will be beneficial for her, and enjoyable for both of us . There is a couple of issues that concern me however, will she be too old at around twenty months to start this kind of training, and secondly if she is speyed, will this effect her ability at all. I dont intend to breed from her, and dont want to put her through surgery unless it is absolutely necessary, but because she has had demodectic mange i think it is a bit irresponsible if i dont, because unfortuneately, accidents can happen.

vmt

She's not too old at all and being spayed won't have any bearing on her ability.

There is someone called Steve Kimberly who runs gundog training holidays in the south west.  I can't find his details at the moment but I think he's been in shooting times.  Will have a look for the article.

Helen

Hi Nb77.
HPR's are not really my breeds so I'll leave you in Helen's tender hands. But if she cannot find something let me know and I'll jab a finger in th direction of some working HPR people I know.

Regards, John

Thanks John i will do. I notice from your previous posts that you are a lab man, and to some degree so am i, because we frequently babysit my father-in-laws black lab. A wonderful dog that could find water in a desert, the muddier the better, whose appetite holds no bounds, and who will lie beside you all day if necessary until you relent and scratch her tummy. I hope you have as much fun with yours as we do with her.

I'm not a HPR person either (labs & spaniels for me). However, I am told that two very good videos on HPR training are 'Basic HPR Training with Tom Brechney' and 'Advanced HPR Training with Tom Brechney'.

Tom Brechney won the HPR Championships a number of times. (The HPR Champs are no longer run)

Hi Nb. Really you could say, Mud, Water and Tummy Scratch= Labrador!

Oh yes, I've had some wonderful fun with mine. I was out with Anna picking up on Saturday and Tuesday, walking the woods and fields, watching Deer, Hare, Rabbits and birds, with the occasional retrieve thrown in for good measure! Just what more could I want! Over the years they have brought me so much pleasure that my life would have been dull without them.

Regards, John

I was sat in the middle of a wood, waiting for a drive to start and I looked up and a red squirrel was about 6ft above my head.  It was just watching me, watching him lol.  Sat for ages watching each other until the other beaters came up and then he ran down the tree and disappeared.  I see some amazing wildlife whilst out beating. 

Helen

Thankyou for the reply Helen, i will pick up a copy of the shooting times today. I hope you dont mind me asking Helen, but i notice you live in Northumberland, close to where i was brought up in Tyne and Wear. I still visit my family there quite often, and wondered if you could recommend any good places for dog walks.
I live in the country now so the dog is used to long country walks everyday, but where my family live i am always a bit cautious with her because everywhere seems to be a stones throw from a road.

It wasn't in this weeks shooting times I saw his article, it might be last years.  I do keep a stack somewhere so will have a look through and I'll ask a few people I know.  He judged me at a working test a few years ago now when I was a total novice.  I asked him for some advice and he was very kind to me.  I work my gwp on the grouse moor, counting grouse now.

We're in the cheviots where there are fantastic walks with no roads at all.  You can really walk for miles and miles without seeing a car.  You don't see that many walkers either.  Lots of sheep though.  The coast is fab for dog walks as well, long sandy beaches with not too many people about.  Another good place is Kielder Forest.  It's huuuge and you can walk for miles without coming across a road.  We only moved up here a couple of years ago but have totally fallen in love with the area.

Helen

Thanks for the advice Helen,  i will try them places out when im next at my parents in a few weeks. I bought a copy of the shooting times today, and although the person you referred to wasnt advertising, i typed him in google and found his web page. There was also a residential course based in Dorset advertising in the shooting times which is just up the coast, so suddenly im spoilt for choice. Both places seem to run 3-4 courses a year so the tricky bit now is trying to find a week which doesnt conflict with my law degree, and my summer wedding. As one problem is solved, so another appears!!!
Thanks again for all of your help
Neil

Hi Again Nb77

I understand from a friend that if you contact the GSP Club, that they run training on a once a month basis in various parts of the country. Their web site is:-

http://www.gsp.org.uk/

Go for it, you have nothing to loose and believe me, there is no greater thrill than watching a well trained gundog working. Of course, as I always tell people, a phone call, even to someone who's training is a bit out of your area often results in another phone number.

Regards, John

Hi John, ive just checked the website you suggested, and have found a contact number for the south-west co-ordinator, who i will ring over the weekend. Thanks again for all your help and advice.

Glad you found it Neil.  Can I have the link for future reference as I couldn't find it anywhere!  Good luck with it all and let us know how you get on.  Congratulations and good luck for the wedding as well :-D

Helen

Hi Neil, I've PM'd you with some information.

Hi Helen, i dont know if there is a problem with the advertising of other sites on an open forum so i have sent you a pm with the address.
Neil

Steve Kimberley Tel number in 2003 was 01409  281956, I don`t think he has moved since then.