silvpig Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Hi guys, How do people become gun dog trainers? I'd love to learn and teach dogs in my spare time. Any courses to look out for? Books? Any trainers in Bristol want an eager volunteer? Lol Cheers. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Do what most do. Read everything you can and ask as many respected and proven trainers for advice. After that, give it a go. It's not rocket science providing you know exactly what you want from the dog together with an understanding of the logic involved in gaining the results. You can't simply paint by numbers because such 'n' such said "do this" or "do that", you need to understand the process and the reasons behind it. That process will change depending on the type of dog you are training, the type of person you are and what you require as an end result. Common sense mostly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvpig Posted August 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Common sense, yup, agree, books, yup, agree any particular books? As asked in my comment. I've emailed a few of my local gun dog trainers, no response yet, but then telling me to ask for advice and then telling me - "You can't simply paint by numbers because such 'n' such said "do this" or "do that"" so of someone gives me advice I shouldn't take it? Very confused and just wanted advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Common sense, yup, agree, books, yup, agree any particular books? As asked in my comment. I've emailed a few of my local gun dog trainers, no response yet, but then telling me to ask for advice and then telling me - "You can't simply paint by numbers because such 'n' such said "do this" or "do that"" so of someone gives me advice I shouldn't take it? Very confused and just wanted advice. Dont be confused. Get as much advice from proven folk and books but the comment about painting by numbers means, although someone might be 100% correct about what it is they tell you, you have got to understand the reasons and logic behind why they are telling you to do certain things. Some will tell you to do X to get a result but will fail to explain fully to you why you need to do X. That doesn't make them bad gundog trainers. Just poor communicators. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvpig Posted August 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Now I get ya, and in fact what I thought wasn't going to be helpful advice, is actually great advice, sorry I didn't understand the first time round! You need to know the moves and the psychology, this is why I'm so interested in this stuff thanks man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Like anything by making mistakes, fixing them and study. Some learn better than others like most things in life, Two of the best I know who operate at the highest levels of success cannot hardly read and write but wow do they know their dogs (we all have our innate capabilities in certain areas) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvpig Posted August 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Best way to learn is by mistakes, I agree, here is my huge problem... I haven't got a dog of my own lol I rent, and the landlord won't allow it. :( that's why I'm looking for guidance and reading material - shame the 2 you know can't write ey?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Best way to learn is by mistakes, I agree, here is my huge problem... I haven't got a dog of my own lol I rent, and the landlord won't allow it. :( that's why I'm looking for guidance and reading material - shame the 2 you know can't write ey?! who rents you their dog out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvpig Posted August 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Haha my flat, I rent my flat. 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Ask around in your area and work out what you want in a dog, then find a breed that suits. Then buy a house Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Best way to learn is by mistakes, I agree, here is my huge problem... I haven't got a dog of my own lol I rent, and the landlord won't allow it. :( that's why I'm looking for guidance and reading material - shame the 2 you know can't write ey?! No to be fair, great gundog writers are not always great trainers, its the same with shooters and everything else in life. An interesting thing on training and learning is this "who is the better golfer Tiger woods OR the guy that coaches him?". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 (edited) Tiger Woods is the better golfer. The guy that coaches him is definitely a better golf coach and you can be sure that if you wanted coaching in golf, his coach would be the better bet. What's your point, Kent ? Edited August 16, 2014 by Bazooka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvpig Posted August 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Now that is a hell of a question!!! The better "golfer" is tiger, in my opinion, however, if the coach could apply to himself, what he coaches, although most can't - including the dedication, the diets, the training, travel etc Very off topic but still very interesting, what's your view? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Now that is a hell of a question!!! The better "golfer" is tiger, in my opinion, however, if the coach could apply to himself, what he coaches, although most can't - including the dedication, the diets, the training, travel etc Very off topic but still very interesting, what's your view? A natural at something need's very little tinkering. A good coach can spot exactly where/what needs tinkering, explain it clearly, and put a plan into action that can make the smallest improvements to a natural talent. Often making a small but significant difference. Naturals, very rarely make good coaches. Partly because they have never had to work hard at technique to gain results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvpig Posted August 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Either way, I need a nice medium, in the form of a gun dog trainer who would like a free trainee 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 I know you do ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 Who do u shoot with? Do u not know anyone with decent dogs to get ur head round the basics? I would go along to ur local gundog training club, most clubs are always looking for volunteers to throw dummies on training days or working tests/fun days, usually hard to get folk as everyone wants to run therir own dog. Amazing wot u can learn by just watching other dogs and handlers, body language of both dog and handler etc, the good ones all tend to handle in a similar way (no fuss, simple clear directions/commands that the dog obviously understands) sounds simple but plenty don't. Get to know a few local faces that way and then get to know ur local trainers. I would imagine most trainers will already have a group of helpers/friends that they already knowand know they know wot there doing. I would imagine slightly hard to get ur foot in the door when u don't own a dog, most will get foot in the door by going for lessons first (unless known throu working/trailing their dogs) I think kent's point is not all gungog traines are good communicators or writters (i know a couple who are great with dogs but not so good with people), althou nowadays there is a lot who are, but there is also folk who write books that couldnae really train a dog, i know 1 in paticulat who's dogs are terrible despite writing a few books on it, but to be fair his books are actually ok. He must not be applying wot he preaches in his book. Also many different ways to train a dog, most now are heading towards positive based methods but i still know 1 or 2 old school who train dogs to very high stanards that use more old fashioned methods, just got to find a style that suits u and ur future dog Most gundog books are fairly similarish, there is a host of well known trainers/writters. I always thought James douglas's book was a good basic starter and fairly easy to read/understand, but loads of others out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvpig Posted August 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 A quick search on Google just gave me individuals which I have emailed with no response. Bristol doesn't have a club by the looks of it. :( I shoot with my mate who lives on a farm, because I've moved he's now 50 miles away, but he owns a Jack Russel and hasn't got a clue about training dogs lol although his dad owns a collie that rounds up the cows, but not really the same. Thanks for the idea on a book, I'll have a look on Amazon now and see if I can get it delivered before I go away 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge hunter Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 There are many many books on the subject, I've read a good few. If you want a good book, easy to read , easy to follow instructions. Go for joe Irvine book, how to train spaniels. Very very helpfull book, id highly recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvpig Posted August 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 And even better hedge hunter I can get it on the kindle!! I want a spaniel when I get my own place either an ESS or cocker so this book would be ideal by the looks of it 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 Try searching the KC website for their registered clubs for working/trialling dogs, Quite a few of the bigger trainers run weekly group seshions, my mate spent a few years working down south for a couple of big kennels runing training classes. Just had a quick search of the KC site (if u find the FT contacts page) there is a bristol and west gundog club, possibly be more as not familar with wot other towns/counties are around u. If u contact the fella listed i'm sure he could point u in the right direction, like i said dummy throwers with no dogs will always be welcome Failing that possible have a look on the gundog training forum more specialised for gundogs, i'm sure someone will help u. Just gettin ur foot in the door intially. Loads of info out there now with the internet as well as books and dvd's but by far the best is 1-1 or group with a good trainer, but it is getting the experience to know wot is good advice and wot isnae, not all the stuff u read (esp online) is good advice Funny i've got most of Joe's book's but thought they a wee bit hard to read in places, but are excellent, mibee it was jist me thou, probably due a reread anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvpig Posted August 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 (edited) Funny actually, I just found the gun dog forum now! I also found the Bristol and west gun dog society, but there is no contact info on there page and it's the most basic of websites. Edited August 17, 2014 by silvpig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvpig Posted August 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 But it does have an email adress on kennel club! You sir are a genius! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 (edited) Think genius is going a bit far Aye it was the KC 1 i seen, there may be other clubs close too u if u can be bothered to scan throu all the other clubs. Mind thats only affilated KC clubs might be other unaffilated clubs that do fun days etc, some wildfowling clubs do it Also be worth going along to watch an FT, personanlly i'm not the biggest fan of them and don't think they are the b all and end all, but it is good to watch good dogs work Between that and the other forum i'm sure u'll get something sorted Edited August 17, 2014 by scotslad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 The best way to become a Gundog trainer is to get out and train dogs, lots of them of lots of different breeds of lots of different ages with lots of different problems. Then you will be a Gundog trainer. Whether you can then impart that knowledge and become a coach to Gundog handlers is another matter entirely. Experience is the only way, I don't think you can be an "apprentice" because dogs and people are so completely individual... and then there is the secret squirrel element where trainers think they have a wee secret remedy or trick that they won't tell anyone about. Then there's the BS factor, there's so much **** gets talked about how to train dogs it's a wonder we can get them to do anything at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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