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Testimonial – Dog Training / Gundog Training / Residential Gundog Training with Evan the Labrador, Preston, Lancashire.

I got my black Labrador pup (aka Tigger on ice) Evan at 9 weeks old, I have always wanted a well-trained dog that I could take round my horse and have the confidence that he would come back! From day 1 he was a bundle of energy and loved to test boundaries, so I knew training would be very important.  I started training with him from 14 weeks, but the initial training I received was all based around treats, and even though I am sure at times I have bought a dust bin not a dog he was losing interest and focus on the basic commands I was asking of him when treats weren’t involved. After chatting to a few people I was told to give Damian a call, it was the best piece of advice I have ever took.
After a long chat with Damian and going through what training I had previously done with Evan, we agreed that the best idea was for me to attend the group dog training classes to help socialize Evan and to get him and me back to basics!
This is exactly what I did and have never looked back. From the very first class I could see how passionate Damian was about his work and his dogs, the way they respond to him, work with him and are constantly wagging there tail in the process as he always makes it fun, I knew I had come to the right place for me and for Evan.
His teaching methods were completely different from what I was shown previously, but Evan responded well with them and I could see over the weeks that he was finally responding to me in the way I wanted. I was elated the first time I just had to move my arm to achieve ‘heel up’ and seeing him starting to respond well to my sit whistle, I could finally see my hard work paying off. But I quickly realized it’s not just about training my dog I had to train myself as well – the big one to relax and not to panic if it doesn’t go right every time!
One of the things I have found really beneficial is Damian bringing different dogs in every week, to show you that they’re not all perfect, some are stubborn and over excitable, but if you are black and white and follow the basics you can have a beautifully behaved and attentive dog. It gave me a lot of confidence as Evan has matured he has become a very boisterous over excitable dog who likes to test boundaries. Tigger on ice would be the perfect description. But Damian has given an abundance of helpful advice and tips for me to try through the week, which has worked amazingly!
After attending my first course of training classes I decided that I would like to train Evan as a working gun dog, so we stepped out of the classroom and into 1-2-1 gundog training sessions. Fieldwork! Scary thought! I pictured numerous Marley and Me situations thinking once Evan was in an open field he would be off, but I was pleasantly surprised he remembered the commands he had learnt at dog training classes. Since my first lesson I have gone every 2 weeks and seen such improvements in both myself and Evan, which is no doubt down to Damian’s relaxed and black and white approach. I still have my homework to do and it shows if I’ve not done it, but the improvements from day one are amazing! I am so pleased with progress so far and even though he comes out like a bomb of energy every time, I now know if I keep calm and follow the rule of ‘black and white’ he behaves like a saint.
Evan spent ten days in residential training with Damian whilst I was on holiday as I wanted him to continue training and didn’t trust my parents to do it (sorry mum & dad). Damian put my mind at ease by showing me round his kennels and telling me about Evans training programme. I drove away knowing that my boy was in good hands and felt pretty sure he might not want to come back home after spending ten days enjoying himself in fields with Damian and his dogs. I came back to one happy Labrador and instantly noticed a difference in him once he got home, he seemed more settled in his crate, sharper on his commands and grown up in his attitude. The improvements showed in my 1-2-1 lesson after my holiday, he was more attentive and responsive and seemed like a different dog.

Evan still has a way to go in his training towards being a steady gundog, but I know with Damian’s help and guidance we can achieve that. I’m looking forward to continuing 1-2-1’s to increase my own confidence and to continue to develop my bond with Evan. I appreciate all the help Damian has given me with Evan and wouldn’t hesitate in recommending him to anyone.

Evan gundog training testimonial labardor