I have a 4 month black lab pup who I want to get into the field trial scene but I'm at a loss with where to start as there are so many clubs, magazines and different trials.
I am fully aware that this is very early stages and he will not be ready for around 18 months before fully competing but I am even more aware that between now and then it is I that will need most of the training to prove a competent handler.  I also have a 4 year old lab that I have learned much from but despite all the best intentions I failed to get started early enough.  A  mistake I am not willing to make again.
The pup has a fanastic line and was carefully chosen.  The Sire is a Tasco dog from Willowyck and has recently become a FTcH and the Dam is a proven working dog also from excellent background.
Over the past few months the pup has shown his potential in small but encouraging ways and I do not want to let him down by hindering his progress by my own short comings.
Can anyone recommend some good clubs in the west country that are understanding and tolerant to new handlers and dogs.  Also whether there are any trials worth attending to watch and learn.
The owner of Willowyck did offer to help with training later this year but he is extremely busy.

You could contact the Kennel Club as your first point of contact. They will have a list of Retriever Clubs near to you.
Have you tried doing a search on the internet for trainers?

Yes I have but there are so many and I do not want to get it wrong at the start.  I have also checked the KC website but the Cotswold retriever club is run by persons in Surrey which I find strange.

Have you tried the West of England Labrador Retriever Club? They have a website so perhaps you can contact someone from there or they may be able to put you in cointact with someone.

http://www.welrc.org.uk

Thanks but new members must be recommended by existing members, which makes the process even harder.

If you are anywhere near Plymouth or tavistock I know of a very good club. I have used the trainers myself and my girl did very well. However I was rubbish, prefer the show ring. I actually gave my girl to one of the trainers there as she loved him to bits and after seeing her and training her he said he'd love a dog who had the natural ability she had. She is not a very happy dog with a competant handler.

Private mail me if you want the details. Also if you are noweher near this area they may obviously be able to help

Thanks, I'm in Gloucestershire which is a bit of a trek.  Anything closer they know of?

Any dog club will let new members in irrespective of whether the candidate has been proposed. I am the membership secretary of a club & we stipulate that members must be proposed & seconded but do realise that not every prospective member knows a member within the breed.

weima,

To be fair, some of the field trial societies are a little more strict than that. In my experience the clubs that cater for both show and working tend to be easier to get in. Some of the field trial only societies can be quite tricky. Also some secretaries can be a little more helpful than others.

Any dog club will let new members in irrespective of whether the candidate has been proposed.

Not so. The Breed Club for my main breed requires a proposer and a seconder, both of whom must be members, before the new application for membership goes before the Committee. For myself I think it is unduly restricitive and finding a proposer and seconder can be daunting for someone new to the breed but interested in it. I'd much prefer to see an open membership with no voting rights for a probationary period.

Hi Gary

I am just down the road from you in West Oxon !

Jackyjat lives in Glos as well so I am sure she will be able to let you know as she works her dogs :)

I am sure she will see this thread if not then PM her ! :)

Lucy
xx

Gary,
The Willowyck kennels have an excellent reputation for the quality of their dogs. I presume from your description that the sire of your dog is FTCh Tasco Monk of Mansengreen. He's a superb young yellow dog, and a friend of mine used him as a stud after recommendation from some well known gundog trainers. I have one of the resulting pups (now 10 months) who is proving to be a delight to train.

You certainly shouldn't go wrong with any help from the Willowyck kennels. Alan Thornton has helped to teach some of the leading gundog trainers, and you'll find Ricky Maloney to be very helpful as well.

My advice would be to give up any thoughts of trialling your older dog, and just try and see if you can teach him to be a useful gundog. This is possible (but won't be easy) however, the lessons you learn from your older dog will be invaluable when you come to train your pup. If you can get the older dog to a standard that you can take on shoot then this will give you a grounding in the world of gundog work and shooting which will make you progression into trials much easier.

Getting membership of the gundog societies can be a hurdle as often you need a countersignature from a couple of members. My advice would be to ring the secretary of the society and ask if you can go and watch one of their working tests. These are held during the spring and summer. There you will be able to watch the dogs being tested, and meet some people that will happily countersign your application. Many people are put off by the need for counter-signatures, which is a shame, but it's not that hard for someone who is prepared to put themselves out. 

The United Retriever Club is usually a good start, as they are divided regionally and hold training classes. They have a website where you can get details of the region most appropriate to you. Link : http://www.unitedretrieverclub.co.uk/

Advice for training your pup and older dog is a bit big for a forum reply, but as well as joining a couple of gundog training classes & clubs I would recommend getting some books and videos / DVDs.

As a start I'd recommend 'Retriever Training' by Nigel Mann as a nice, fairly concise book and the 'Drakeshead Way' videos (get both the basic and advanced ones). Do a google search on 'Paul French Video' and you will be able to get the videos.

Hope that helps...

Havoc,
Your spot on with the Tasco dog.  I went to see him when I was looking at the pup and he's an impressive boy.  I met Ricky and he was extremely helpful and did offer to help me more than the dog as I'm the one needing the training.  Very busy bloke though and difficult to pin down I imagine.
Your right about the older dog, I just want to get him so I can use him in the field.
Thanks for the link I'll def. have a look.

Gary

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