being told off. This can start a process of
ever-decreasing circles, causing frustration in the
handler. Of course, this frustration often leads to
ineffective teaching. Keep reminding yourself that
you are the dog’s teacher and if the dog is not
getting things right, you need to take a look at
yourself and how you are delivering the training.
Back to the clock
For now, let’s cast our focus back to the clock
face and assume that we have reached a point
where the dog is making easy work of two
dummies down, one at 12 and the other at six
o’clock, initially in some kind of retrieving corridor
and then out on open ground. It’s probably time
to add the 3 and 9, which will now mean we are at
the centre of the clock face with four dummies
placed strategically around us.
We ought to think about the distance from the
dog to each dummy. I’d recommend 5m (five big
paces) for the first few training sessions (note, the
hoops shown in the photos are closer for
illustration purposes). By keeping the dog close to
us, and in the event that the dog decides to
double pick, you can easily head him off and
make it clear that this is against the law.
This clock face process is teaching the dog key
skills. If you are doing this as a novice handler, it’s
important that you make it your business to
improve yourself too. The very nature of the
learning process means that you will often take a
while to react, to process something and turn that
thought into a physical movement. When
coaching a newcomer to dog training here at
Mullenscote, it is our business to ensure that we
factor this into our teaching. Distance, positioning,
hoops, retrieving corridors, etc are all things thatwill help to make things easier for the trainer.
One of those key skills to teach all involved
is the alignment and positioning of the dog
and the handler. Think of yourself as the bow and
the dog as the arrow. Alignment with the targetHoward Kirby,
Chudleys Brand
AmbassadorCONSULT HOWARD ABOUT GUNDOG TRAINING
TELEPHONE 01264 889467
OR EMAIL [email protected]
OR VISIT http://www.mullenscote.co.ukFuelling working and sporting
dogs for generations
@ChudleysDog
#chooseChudleysALIGNMENT //Think of yourself as the bow and the dog as the arrow...
ALIGNMENT //Ensure you and the dog are aligned to the same dummy/target
Add brashing to the mix to help acclimatise
your dog to cover in a safe space‘Think about the
distance from the dog to
each dummy – I’d
recommend 5m (five big
paces) for the first few
training sessions’
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