Gundog Specialist Program – Dog Training College

Course Content

Module 1 - Introduction to gundogs

Course introduction

Recommended reading

Gundog groups and how they differ

Hunt Point Retrievers

Pointers and Setters

Predatory behaviour

Different kinds of shoot

Task – “Let’s talk breeds”

Task – “The points of a gundog dog”

Module 2 - Equipment

Training pouch and rewards

A bag for all your kit

Marker (e.g. clicker)

Coats for your gundog

Task – “Whistle power”

Module 3 - Safety

Introduction to gundog safety

Risk assessments

Task – “Risk Assessment”

Task – “First aid kits”

Introducing a starting pistol

Gundog insurance

The importance of eye contact

Stay (with eye contact)

Health checks and docking tails

Task – “Stay with me…”

Module 4 - Location

Choosing your location

Outdoor locations

Indoor locations

Task – “Choosing your location”

Module 5 - Scent and your gundog

Introducing your gundog and their sense of smell

Humidity and moisture

Hot or cold days

Hunting arousal

What is quartering?

Training quartering

Task – “Let’s get hunting!”

Pointing / setting

Formal finish / heal

Task – “Good old British weather”

Task – “Demonstrate your understanding of the wind”

Module 6 - Retrieving

To throw or not to throw a dummy

Task – “Show off that hand target”

Different types of retrieve

Shape retrieve and Dummy hold

Task – “Can we hold the dummy?”

Bring me the dummy

Task – “Shaping the dummy pick up”

Task – “Let’s get retrieving”

Memory retrieve

Task – “Let’s do the splits!”

Charging the marker

Getting straight lines on retrieves

Task – “Go back”

Whistle: Sit/Stop

Task – “Catch the runner”

Playing tug with your dog

Task – “That Tuggy myth”

Module 7 - Introducing water

Does your dog need to learn to swim?

Building your dog’s confidence in water

What if you have a rush in?

Leaping into water

Task – “Let’s get set to swim”

Module 8 - Common problems

Gundog training with a puppy

What if your gundog still won’t come into you when retrieving?

My gundog spits the dummy out just before they get to me

What if you can only do an exercise a few times?

Hormones and your gundog

The importance of loose leash walking and heeling

‘Go back and retrieve’ on a walk

Task – “Let’s take this out on a walk!”

Two dummy retrieve to encourage the dog back in

Module 9 - Conclusion

Gundog Specialist Program | Assessment (30 Questions – Multiple Choice)