Training And Timescales                                

What follows is a guideline for how we catagorise the stages of training and development. And what we hope we can train your dog to achieve.

Untouched. Just that, the dog has inherited natural hunting and retrieving ability. Been named and reponds when called.

Basic Training (Timescale approx 4-6 wks)

1. Taught to sit.

2. Stays sat on being left.

3. Walk to heal on lead (labs). Retreive a thrown and seen object.

4. Comes back when called.

Part Trained (4-6 wks or 6-8 wks combined with Basic)

1. Sit on a whistle command as well as the spoken command.

2. Heelwork, has progressed to a stage where it will walk to heel of the lead.

3. Steady to a marked retrieve i.e. sits while dummy or ball thrown and retrieves only on command.

4. The basic hand signals and commands have started. i.e. those of back and get out , lost , and left and right with a cast.

5. For spaniels Hunting training is under way, with turning on the whistle, stopping on the whistle and stopping after flush.

*At this stage the gundogs are trained to retrieve from approximately 30-50 yards in bracken,stubble, or light cover*

**all dogs are thoroughly assessed before moving on to next stage of training**

These timescales are only approximate, all dogs train differently according to age, whats been done, ability to adapt to new surroundings.

Half Trained (4-6 wks)

1. Takes the hand signals at short distances (20-30yds).

2. Can be sent for a blind retrieve, this is where the dog is told to get out or back for a retrieve that has not been seen or marked.

3.Has been introduced to water.

**At this point we may introduce cold game, dependent on the dogs progress and maturity**

Three Quarter Trained

1. Retrieve cold game.

2. Retrieve from and across water, both still and running.

3. Been shot over with a shotgun.

4. The hand signals and backs have been pushed to and beyond 50 yards.

***Spaniels will be dropping to shot and hunting naturally, turning when required on the whistle, or conditioned to turn at set distance,retrieving blinds and seen game to hand.

Fully Trained Gundogs

After all training has been put in place a dog cannot really be fully trained until after it has a seasons shooting under its belt.

We can offer this as well, with access to local shoots, and understanding gamekeepers, all dogs in for this training can gain the experience in the real situation.

All dogs will train differently, ask anyone who has done it.

Some may be ready for the field very quickly, with others time may be the key. We will not keep a dog longer than is needed, or blow smoke up the preverbial about how good he/she is, all time scales are a guidline only. If a dog takes less time than stated, great, they go back home and continue training with the owner.If they take longer we will advise.

Rest assured we will not take a dog if we cannot achieve the desired goal.

To contact Bluebellview send an e-mail to bluebellview.gundogs@btopenworld.com or ring on 07711 049596 or use the contact us page on this site