Jame

I've had a few bits from pinewood, the service I received was excellent and everything arrived when they said it would (including 2 magnets) so I can't fault them.

http://safedog.co.uk/index.htm Very good quality, very strong and lockable also adjustable.

I ran my 15 month old cocker at Brocklesby in her and my working test last weekend, after a difficult warm up on the scurry beforehand (Jdog will attest to this ) She got 17/20 test 1 18/20 test 2 and 10/20 test 3, she needed extra encouragement entering the lake as had a 3 foot drop into the water so I had to move forward hence the score, she made first retrieve fine but failed to mark the second so had to handle her back wind to it but she got it no problem after a minute. I was more nervous than the dog but she was fantastic and I'm well happy at 45/60 for first time! I was given some sound helpful advice by all judges and really enjoyed it.

Yes he uses them, I also use the same pinewood poles.

I have a way to go on that front, she has to investigate most other dogs she meets, runs up to them if allowed, sits down and turns her back to them with her head held high while they sniff the usual bits. How to stop her giving other dogs so much attention ?

In simple terms what would you class as trained gun dog? either retriever or spaniel. What should it be able to do before the dog is introduced to a shoot either as a beating/hunting dog or to pickup with on a shoot? I ask because my own definition is based on what I've read and learned from my training (with trainers help) my spaniel since she was home at 8 week old, she is 14 months now. I see that everyone's version of a "trained" dog is very different. My view is the dog should at least do the following basics before I would consider a shoot day which my spaniel does: 1 Sit and stay until told to move no matter what! 2 Recall to voice/whistle and hand signal at all times. 3 Walk to heal on and off the lead. 4 Sit/drop to stop whistle and or hand signal at any range within eye/earshot. 5 Be steady to the gun 6 Handle out in straight lines and follow direction on hand signal/whistle/voice 7 Retrieve game on land/water and deliver to hand and release only on command. Is this enough ? I train her daily for 10-20 minutes once a day, we have an hour lesson every week with a trainer. I am the type of person that if I take something on I have to research it to death and do it to the very best of my ability no matter what time/cost is involved to achieve the final goal. I am already very proud of what my dog and myself have done since I have had her. After watching a few dogs in a scurry at a recent event I was very surprised at the amount of dog handlers who could not work there dogs on simple blind retrieves from cover, frantic loud whistle blowing and repeated commands that the dogs ignored and the dogs randomly running to each pile of brash hunting for them selves (due to the fact they didn't square the dog up after the first ignored command!) I entered my own dog to give her some experience on working with a lot of people round her, she did exactly as I asked and went straight out to each blind retrieve that I sent her 2, she picked them and presented each 1 to me without thinking about it, it all seemed very very basic stuff to me and my dog to be honest. Maybe I am very lucky to have such a good dog... or its the daily training she has had for the last 12 months or so? Or is it that the level of a gun dog varies such a dramatic amount that "trained" is anything that half listens to its owner?

Some nice shots, but nothing wrong in setting your shooting standard high, I believe it makes you a better shot. Nice sunny day to boot, looked a nice spot with plenty of activity. Nice video.

Very nice bag for 2 hours, bet you had a busy time of it

Cheers Steve, yea the dogs pretty much dominating my schedule

I hope so, just found a fresh drilled field with a 100 birds or so feeding. Be a nice 2/3 hours session tomorrow evening again on the peas.

Thank you all for the comments, it was nice to get a good bag on such a sunny day! The dog coming to clear up put the icing on the cake! I hope to have many more days the same

I envy your consistent good results seemingly on face value to be easily achieved each week. You seem like a chap who has a very good eye for getting things spot on no matter what the situation with the birds...what's your secret? how many years of doing it have you spent getting bags like you do? love the hide net btw.

After reading a few over the past year, this book I found I related 2 more than any other with some great tips "Training The Working Spaniel" by Janet Menzies.

After watching this particular field by chance the day before it seemed to offer a bag. The plants were about 3-4cm tall so plenty for the birds to chomp on and 1 area close to a flight line was a reasonable site for the hide. Early doors the activity was slow but I knew the traffic would start later in the day from what I had seen the day before but just wanted to be out and make the most of it on such a beautiful day. The sun was fully out with very few clouds and a good strong NNE breeze making the birds crossers from right to left. I setup the magnet only with 2 dead birds as I nearly always do and straight away they started to try to land on it. Building the pattern with each new bird shot they decoyed amazingly well with virtually all birds trying to land all day! Even stood outside the hide I had birds coming in, they seemed very green to the magnet and from experience typical birds wanting to get stuck in on the peas. Late afternoon was better with birds coming often enough to keep it interesting, was pleased to end the day with a bag of 60 woodys and 6 ferals for a session early on the peas...plenty more to come! I did video most of the day but unfortunately I messed up the mounting of the cam and most of the action shots were missed by about an inch so I wont be posting this 1! But of course always have a picture with birds laid out to prove the results ^ ^ Wife dropped the dog off for some more picking up experience, she is insanely keen to please when working (the dog not the wife!) and retrieved the few I asked of her, including 2 dyke, 2 long 100 yard retrieves and 2 lost birds so I am as proud as can be with her performance again! Can't wait until she can keep me company during the shooting part, while to go yet as she is just over 13 months old.

From that angle I would of sworn that was my dog! How old is he?