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Gundog training

Gundog training is the part of the job I love most. I train gundogs from a puppy's first retrieve through to working tests, on 1-1 sessions around the Cotswolds and on my 10-week gundog course at Lechlade K9 Centre. Any age, breed or ability is welcome, whether you shoot or just want a dog with a proper job to do.

Handlers and dogs with rosettes at a gundog working test

My own dogs

My Labradors work through the shooting season, beating, picking up, walked up and on the peg. Brie, my yellow Labrador, took second place at a competition in March 2025, and in August 2026 she got a Certificate of Merit in our first Novice Handler competition. She's also a Pets as Therapy dog, which tells you a lot about what a calm working dog can be.

I've been trained by Wickmoor Labradors for the last 7 years, and I train and compete alongside Tom Cantwell Gundogs, who pushed me into competing in the first place. I've also done a gundog display at the Border Counties showground. I'm still learning, too. At the end of every season I find faults in my own handling, and I'm not shy about saying so.

What we work on

  • Steadiness and control. Sit stays, waiting, staying calm when other dogs are working or a dummy goes out. I've had dogs holding a sit stay through a nerf gun battle.
  • Heelwork. On and off the lead, through distractions. Close heelwork is the most annoying thing to teach, and the most satisfying when it clicks.
  • Retrieving. Delivery, confidence, and getting a dog to take the most direct route out and straight back.
  • Hunting and blinds. Memory retrieves, blind retrieves and letting a dog use its nose to work an area out for itself.
  • Handling and directions. Stop whistles, sending back, and handling at distance. My current puppy is handling at 60 yards and coming up to 6 months old.

First retrieves aren't always picture perfect. Confidence comes first and consistency comes later.

The 10-week gundog course at Lechlade K9 Centre

It's a structured 10-week course at Lechlade K9 Centre with beginner, novice and puppy groups. It covers steadiness and control, retrieving, field reality (obstacles, blind retrieves and handling), and finishes with a graduation challenge. The last course cost £350 and started with a free intro session where you could meet me, see the facility and ask questions. I look at every dog individually within the group, so it isn't one-size-fits-all.

I also run free gundog taster sessions now and then. Get in touch to hear when the next course or taster is on.

A handler training a black Labrador on a lead in a field

1-1 gundog training

If you'd rather work 1-1, or your dog needs its manners sorting before it's ready for a group, call or WhatsApp me on 07711 229068. Vinnie, a German Shorthaired Pointer, had a challenging six months with his owners and me. By the end there was no barking in the house, he settled in public and walked to heel off the lead. Then he started his gundog training and showed huge results in a couple of weeks.

We're working our way up to some basic gun dog commands at the moment as well.

Charlotte Burfoot, December 2024