Hi all, I can't believe Maisie will be six months old next week. Puppy training is going very well at the group I go to, but is becoming a little repetitive and not challenging enough for both of us. So, I was wondering what the next stage in training might be. I've been reading a few of Pippa's articles on Gundog training and the graded scheme which looks very interesting for both Maisie and me! Any idea on what age would be a good time to start the graded scheme if there was one near me? Or any other thoughts on what type of training to do. She loves retrieving and really enjoyed doing some scent work.
Re: Gundog training I've loved gundog training. But, you know, 90% of what I've learned from attending gundog classes hasn't really been about gundog stuff. It's been about foundations - so learning to teach behaviours and cues, control and consistency. It seems like whatever you do (gundog, heelwork to music, agility etc) you need to work on great foundations then you can put a discipline on top of that. I don't think I really appreciated that until recently. (Triggering mass roll of eyes : ;D ). So I don't think it matters what you do at six months to a year, so long as you get those foundations in place - a good gundog trainer, who trains the way you want to train, will guide you through that if you later think you'd like to do gundog training. But equally, I think, so would a good obedience trainer. I'd go with what is available where you live, really. Added: sorry, should have answered your question! Charlie started gundog lessons at 5 months.
Re: Gundog training Thanks Julie. Yes, we definitely need to keep working at the foundation stuff, so I'll have a good look and see what is available locally, a lot of the big training places around here are booked up at the moment, so I need to get my name down quickly! It's a whole new world this "doggy stuff" you know (and I love it ) ;D ;D
