Jurrasicway

Does anyone have any dealings with the gundog club? I have tried to talk to three times without sucess. There is an 8 week training course in Brixworth, Northampton which I am looking to attend. They are doing level 1 and level 2 courses. I need to talk to them to book and also to find out which course would be best for the dog and I. Called last Monday, left a message on voice mail. No reply Called last Wednesday, left a message, no reply Called last Thursday, spoke to a lady who said she would get someone to call back to discuss the training session - guess what, no call back... Is this normal for them or do they have so much business that they do not need to get back in contact with customers? Also does anyone know the contact details of the people in Brixworth who run the course so that I can speak to them direct. Thanks,

Thanks to all for you comments. Greatly appreciated. Whippy stick and changes of direction here I come............

When I first got Archie he was a proper puller. I must have lost count of the number of times that I have tugged him back and said heel. At first he was unmanageable and I had to turn the slip lead into a halty by twisting the loop into a figure of 8 and putting one part over his neck and the other over his nose. This cured the problem immediately. No more pulling. I can now walk with him on a normal slip lead. the lead is not loose but not tight. Just straight with no tension on it. He just walks to how much slack I give him. When off the lead he heels really well with his rump by my knee and his head three feet in front of that. Here is the question > How do I progress from this to Archie walking with a loose lead? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Has anyone tried FUD's? They are light weight and are supposed not to shine. I was thinking of trying some

Thanks for the advice guys. Just an update to let you know how I got on. I started with the single retrieve again for a few mornings and then when to the L idea. It worked extremely well and Archie is now doing doubles and triples this morning (one each side and one to go back). Have not cracked the sitting next to me to deliver yet but will work on it. He does deliver to hand though which I am very pleased with. This morning I actually directed him by making him stop with the stop whistle, look at me and sent him off to my left, then back to find a dummy. Great feeling for the first time. He has also started retrieving shot pigeons and crows (five so far) with no problem at all. All is good and going well at 8 months. Just hope that I am not doing too much too soon . I have had various advice, some say you can not start too young and others say don't even start until he is 10 months. Too late for the latter I'm afraid Thanks for all of your help

Thanks for all the posts guys. Really helpful Yes she has shot before, it started off with a lesson at Kelmarsh at the start of the summer and then another lesson at Catton and then taking part in a pool shoot at a local charity shoot. She is well and truly hooked and now wants to go more regularly. She is getting bloody good too!!!! A good thing for me is that she does not want to shoot pigeons or game. I will save that for trips on my own with Archie (8 month lab). You can not really say I am going to do it and you can't so "a shooting we will go"

I normally just rough shoot and my wife has decided she wants to have a go at clays. Can anyone tell me how much I should expect to pay at a clay club if I just turn up with my own gun and cartridges and want to shoot 25 to 50 clays?

The dog comes to heal when I snap my fingers so I will try doing this when he is close enough and see if I can get him to my side. I achieved this by holding a *** bit in my hand and clicking my fingers when wanting him to walk to heal so the techniques are similar. I will try and use the hypnotism trick because he does tend to walk a bit ahead when off the lead and I am constantly clicking to call him back. I will update the post in a few weeks and let you know how I am getting on. Again a big thank you for your advice..

2 yesterday on walkabout. Both brought back to me by my seven month old lab. First ever retrieves... Starting to think that all the 6am starts before work are starting to pay off 17005

Thanks guys, brilliant advice, Cracker - This is my first ever gun dog and I have only taught him from what I have read in a book (Gundog Training by James Douglas) . It does not mention the dog sitting at my side when it delivers. I have always received the dummy from in front. I did have a problem with the dog spitting it out when it got to me but have corrected this (touch wood) by walking backwards and keeping my eyes looking down. I see from you excellent advice that you get the dog to come to your side to deliver. How did you achieve this and do you think that it is something that I should work on?

Hi, All the pigeons are in Northamptonshire, never seen so many, all fat and full of wheat.....

I have a seven month old Lab who is coming on really well. He carried two pigeons back to me yesterday for the first time, one winged and one dead so I am really pleased that he has "got it". I am currently trying to teach him direction. He sits, I throw two dummies out, one to his left and one to his right. He will go and get the dummy that I indicate him to go to, however when he retreives he will run straight past me with the dummy in his mouth to the other dummy. Drop the first dummy, pick up the second and bring that back to me.... Does anyone know of a cure or something that I can do to make him bring the first one back every time? Thanks

Had another five on walk about 12467

8 yesterday evening from my flight line hide. In the wheat field adjoining they were dropping in by the dozen. Looks like I need a free afternoon to try and tempt them with some deeks.... 11782

Thanks for the feedback. The supplier is Garretts game dealer in flore just off the M1 at J16. Go into flore and turn left after the pub and you will find him 100 meters down on the right hand side. Great bloke who has a game dealership from some outbuildings next to his house. He has a small shop which sells cartridges, decoys, dog whistles, bouncers, flappers etc. Really good prices and a down to earth attitude, cash only. Buys pigeons, rabbits etc and gives really good advice too. Not many of that sort of dealer left now Always has time to answer any questions, can't speak highly enough of the guy. If you live in the area you should give him a try

My local cartridge supplier is selling these cartridges for £76 for 500. They work out at £3.80 a box for 30g x 6.5 shot. They are pretty cheap compared to other pigeon cartridges on the market and I was just wondering if anyone used them and what they thought of them. Are they any good and what is the downside to them?

Had another 4 in my flight line hide. Went out for two hours but it lashed down for an hour of that leaving me with about an inch of water in my boots and the woodies not showing during the rain either 10519

Shot 6 under a flightline in a nice little hide I knocked up in an elder bush Total now 10,239

Don't forget your bill hook or machete. Can be a real pain trying to clear new growth around your favourite hide if you have not been for a bit. Also wear a pair of thin green or black gloves so you do not show a white flash to the birds whilst mounting your gun. I use the ones with little rubber grippers on the palms so the gun does not slip (cost about £3 a pair). They also keep your hands warm if they are wet through. You could use brown leather but too expensive and get cold if wet.

Just the one walking the field last night. They all count... 8526

Had six flight lining 8165

You have just brightened up my day. The sort of thing that would happen to me...

Thanks Foggy, will give it a go.

I have recently come into the possesion of a shot gun that has some black residue on the face of the breach (the bit that closes when you put a cartridge in). Has anyone got any good tips on how to clean this off. What sort of chemical should I use. I am a bit hesitant to take a wire brush to it although I am sure it would get it off I want to avoid scratching the face. All suggestions would be welcome, The only solution that I have at this moment in time is a bottle of elbow grease and a soft rag... Thanks

Don't Suppose it is a lefty is it?