Blog - Latest news & updates
Gundog training Ola the Spanish Water Dog in Preston, Lancashire. · 10 March 2012
Ola has been attending my dog obedience training classes at Oakhill Veterinary Centre with her owner Christine for a few months and has proven to be a fast learner. Recently, Christine has approached me to discuss the possibility of training Ola on a 1-2-1 basis using gundog training methods. As Ola is a working breed her owner feels that she requires more mental stimulation than she’s currently getting.
Today is our first gundog training session and Ola has, once again, learned quickly and responded well to unfamiliar whistle commands introduced by me during the session . With fun training techniques to encourage Ola’s natural working traits we had a brilliant time and she was keen and alert throughout.
Over the coming weeks Christine and Ola will continue training together to strengthen their bond and to learn how to work together.
Correcting excess pulling on the lead with Hugo the Dalmatian. · 26 February 2012
Hugo is a typically over-friendly Dalmatian who has been overpowering his owners for many months. Walking him has become so bad that his owners are being dragged behind him as he heads off and his constant pulling makes walking him unbearable.
As a youngster, Hugo was a pampered pup who was trained to a basic level but, as a maturing dog, he hasn’t been taught much more and would benefit greatly from attending training classes.
After a challenging session it was great to see Hugo’s owners walking Hugo to heel and actually enjoying it.
It will be lovely to work with Hugo and his owners when they attend my new dog training class commencing on Monday 20th of February.
If your dog takes the lead on your walks and you’d like to regain control, you can call me on 01772 690597 or 07843 283370 to arrange an appointment.
Gundog training with Isla the Clumber Spaniel, Preston, Lancashire. · 25 February 2012
Isla is a working Clumber Spaniel who attends gundog training lessons with Dan her owner. There has been a noticible improvement in the progress made so far and with consistent and regular training Isla will be a valuable asset to Dan during the 2012 shooting season.
The photos on the day were taken by Andy Biggar of The Biggar Picture.
Gundog training Demi the Cocker Spaniel, Preston, Lancashire. · 16 February 2012
Demi is a great specimen of a working Cocker Spaniel that with the correct training and refinement will be an assets to any handler. Georgina has been training hard with Demi and after me showing what potential Demi has she is 100% committed to training her as a working dog.
Today I introduced the remote dummy launcher and one of my dogs to the gundog training lesson. Having polished the steadiness and retrieves to hand it is time to simulate a shoot scenario where we have multiple game being shot and falling. This training is essential to ensure the dog is steady to shot and more importantly that she doesn’t run in. Using another dog helps ensure that the dogs doesn’t think every retrieve is hers, something that is difficult when training on your own.
Demi and my Springer Spaniel thoroughly enjoyed the training and whilst we had a few run-ins the training on the stop whistles proved benefitial.
Demi and Georginia still have a way to go with their gundog training but I certainly happy to be training with them both.
Call me if you are looking for some gundog training whether you’re new to the sport of you have problems with your current dog on 01772 690597 / 07843 283370.
Helping Scout the rescue German Shepherd with general dog training behavioural problems, Preston, Lancashire. · 15 February 2012
Scout is a young dog who hasn’t experienced much in his short life due to his previous owner using him as a stud dog and confining him to a small yard.
He was in a rescue kennel for 2 months before he was fortunate enough to be re-homed with Courtney where he’s been living happily for the past 6 weeks and slowly adjusting to a life in the big wide world. Scout is a nervous and skittish lad but with the devotion of Courtney he is beginning to settle into everyday life.
I met with Courtney and Scout for a 1-2-1 session to help Scout walk to heel on his lead without pulling. After the resounding success of our first session Courtney will be bringing Scout along to my new block of dog obedience classes starting on the 20th February 2012 at Oakhill Veterinary Centre, Goosnargh, Preston.
If you would like to attend my dog training classes please call me on 01772 690597 or 07843283370 to book your place.
Gundog training and Gundog Photography with Andy Biggar and my client’s Cocker Spaniel. · 11 February 2012
This superb photo was taken by Andy Biggar who was invited to attended a gundog training lesson to take pictures of Andrew, Alex and their Cocker Spaniel Charlie.
If you’re looking for gundog training and would like Andy Biggar to capture your day in photographs give me a call on 01772 690597 / 07843 283370 .
Lottie and Blue the Weimaraners · 10 February 2012
Over the last few weeks I’ve been helping Jason to walk with Lottie as she has recently started to pull excessively on her lead. Lottie is a quite dog with a wonderful nature and will be a terrific companion to ’Blue’ the newest addition to the family.
How Cute are these pair?
News Update – Launch of the new services with Oakhill Veterinary Centres and Dog-Training4u · 7 February 2012
After meeting with Oakhill Veterinary Centre in August it was agreed that I should relocate my dog obedience training classes to their purpose built venue at Goosnargh, Preston. Working in conjunction with Oakhill allows me to recommend a first class veterinary service should my clients be looking for a new vet. As Oakhill’s resident dog trainer and behaviourist I am often called upon to offer expert advice to their clients in relation to problems they may be experiencing with their dogs.
As well as offering dog training classes for all Oakhill clients at their 4 centres I will also be available for behavioural consultations at a client’s home or at one of my training grounds.
I am looking forward to working with Oakhill by helping their clients and staff to train their dogs.
Gundog Training with Demi the Cocker Spaniel, Preston, Lancashire. · 7 February 2012
Demi and her owner Georgina are regulars at my dog training classes in Goosnargh and have also trained with me on a 1-2-1 basis. Today I asked Georgina if I could spend a little time assessing Demi’s potential to work in the shooting field, as I felt she had the instinct to mark and retrieve if she was guided in the right direction. Demi has never been around guns and her retrievals are a little rusty but she responded well to my training methods and the whistle. After spending 40 minutes working with Demi I introduced the dummy launcher and I was happy with Demi’s marking ability, she hunted up and retrieved to hand. Although the delivery was less than perfect it’s a brilliant platform to build on.
Georgina was over the moon with Demi’s ability and she is now keen to train Demi alongside the gun.
If you are looking for specific training for your dog I can help by offering a tailor-made training programme unique to your dog’s ability.
Feel free to call and discuss any training requirements you may have on 01772 690597 or 07843 283370.
Testimonial – Dog Training Amber the Springer Spaniel with serious recall problems. · 2 February 2012
I thought you should share in this moment. Amber off the lead, on the beach. With your help, we are steadily progressing and more importantly, Amber is a far happier dog.
I can’t believe that prior to you coming for two house visits, this is the same dog that would disappear for 9 hours given the chance or drag me along on the lead when she took me for walks. No more biting in the house, just lots of play and dog food, and well, enjoying being a dog!!! me and my girl are now exhausted but very happy.
Thank you,
Michelle
Gundog Training with Libby the Labrador – Preston, Lancashire · 29 January 2012
It was great to train with Peter and his working Labrador Libby today. This was our 3rd gundog training lesson and I’m pleased to say there has been a noticeable improvement from our first meeting. Whilst Peter is not looking to work Libby he wanted to address issues regarding Libby’s lack of attention towards him, especially when in the fields. Libby and her owners live in an area where there is extensive land and, as a young dog, Libby has been permitted to free hunt, chasing all manor of game.
During the past 6 weeks I have asked Peter to spend time focusing on Libby’s steadiness, whistle commands and overall basic dog obedience training. It’s very important when training that the basics are implemented before allowing our dogs to experience the outside world in its entirety. If our dogs do not see us as the most important and interesting thing before we allow them to run free, when we do their natural instinct to hunt kicks in and off they go, especially with working dogs.
Libby was a very timid dog that required guidance and interaction which Peter has spent time practising. On our 2nd gundog lesson not only was there a huge difference in their bond, Libby was also able to retrieve dummies to hand.
Today’s training was again a great success, it’s always nice to see an owner smiling, well done Peter and Libby I look forward to training with you soon.
If you need help to train and improve the bond you have with your dog then please email me at bark@dog-training4u.co.uk or call 01772 690597 / 07843 283370.
Gundog Training with Count the Short Haired Pointer correcting his dropping on a retrieve, Preston, Lancashire. · 24 January 2012
Testimonial – Dog training Bailey the Shar Pei. · 24 January 2012
I have been training with Damian for 4 months now and saw improvements from day one. Bailey is a typically strong willed and often stubborn Shar Pei, but with some excellent guidance from Damian in both our one on one training and group classes, we have made great progress in our training. I have always done my own ‘self taught’ type of training e.g. sit, wait, lie down, paw etc, but out and about with other catalysts it was a whole different story. Baileys’ focus would be everywhere that it shouldn’t be, but the classes have put a stop to that. She is now much more focused on me and the training and we have some fantastic walks together now. Even something as simple as taking Damians’ advice on changing her harness to a slip lead has proven to be very effective. This way Bailey does not ‘harness’ the power, I do! No more sniffing the same blades of grass for minutes and stopping for a wee every couple of steps.
The classes are brilliant. It is great to be in a group environment and see that you are not the only one who has training areas to work on. It’s very easy when you are doing the training on your own to get down hearted if you don’t see the results you want, as quickly as you want, but we find the classes to be extremely rewarding and motivating. The environment is ideal for training Bailey due to the catalysts of other dogs and their owners which she would normally have been so easily distracted by.
I can’t thank Damian enough for the impact he has had on our training and our relationship. Bailey respects that I am the pack leader now and no longer tries to dominate me. He is always at the other end of the phone or an email if I need to ask him anything and is a great motivator and trainer.
Thank you Damian from a very happy Melissa and Bailey.
Dog Obedience Training classes at Oakhill Veterinary Centre · 23 January 2012
Monday evening saw the start of my dog obedience training class which has now been running for 3 weeks. I offer a level of dog training to accommodate dogs of any breed, age and ability. I have always encouraged a healthy mixture of dogs I’m humbled by the commitment shown by some of my younger owners, in particular Francis, who handles a very lively and dominant male Labrador. The first week they attended Jasper was mouthing and pulling Francis all over the training area, but after three weeks of commitment and dedication to training, this week was a different story altogether. Whilst Jasper has some distance to go with his training it’s clear to see that Francis and Jasper are working together and the pair were able to do a brief sit and wait out of sight, well done !!
Tonight you can see Georgina with Demi the Cocker Spaniel working on their steadiness around other dogs. Demi is a lively Cocker Spaniel that needs to be taught basic commands to stop her pulling excessively on the lead and to improve her focus and bond with Georgina to ensure she stops running off.
I run dog obedience training classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings at Oakhill Veterinary Centre. If you’re looking for a friendly structured training class feel free to call for a chat or to book your place on 01772 690597 / 07843 283370.
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