Gun Dog Training, a working week-end with your gun dog. These courses will not be running in 2020
For owners of working dogs that would like to understand and control the natural instincts of a working dog in the company of other dogs. This week-end will suit both experienced and inexperienced handlers with inexperienced dogs.You may not have had a working bred dog before but if you are interested in finding out more about working your dog and how to go about it, then you are very welcome. Training your dog whilst understanding and working with its natural instincts will help you get the best from your dog.
If you are asking - Is my dog a gun dog? If he comes one of the groups of gun dogs - Retrievers, Spaniels, HPRs (Hunt Point Retrieve), Pointers and Setters - then he or she is a gun dog.
Our course will suit most gun dogs. Dogs must be at least 6 months of age. Normally we do not take dogs over 4 years old.
Ty Gwyn has all the facilities for you and your dog to learn in a natural countryside environment. Your dog has an enclosed yard, retrieving corridor, fields and a variety of cover including scrub and wooded areas and water in which to learn. You have comfortable accommodation, good food and at the end of the day you can relax in our Cruck Barn with a glass of wine and discuss the day with like minded people before having a home cooked supper.
Margaret Ward will help you and your dog to learn the basics in the company of other dogs. How often have we all said when things don't go as planned - "Well, he does it at home!" Margaret has had dogs all her life - labradors, cockers and in latter times show and working pointers. She trials and counts grouse with her 
pointers. She bred, trained and handled Springpoint Lace to gain her title of Field Trial Champion. She also has three English Springer spaniels, Sage, Harry and Wisp who are her winter dogs with which she beats and picks up. Margaret has not only trained and competed successfully with her own dogs but over the years, she has helped many an aspiring gun dog owner to train their dogs. Margaret will teach you how to train your dog as well as helping you understand some of the simple but not necessarily obvious needs of your gun dog. She will give you tips on dealing with problems, looking after your dog and some fun ideas to keep him or her occupied. As well as being the trainer on our courses Margeret also does one to one training sessions for pointers.
Margot is one of the people that Margaret has helped - firstly with Muddle a pointer but recently with Ash, now a 7 year old cocker spaniel. Margaret helped with the basics of Ash's training, giving her many good training tips and ideas. Margot now thoroughly enjoys beating with Ash at a local shoot. She will share some of her experiences of training Ash and things she learnt along the way.
The courses are restricted to six dogs so that everyone has plenty of tuition and attention.
You and your dog will learn:
The golden rules of gun dog training
Manners (just your dog!)
Sit and stay
Walking to heel on and off the lead
Recall
Basic Retrieving
Steadiness
Hunting
You can find out from Margaret and Margot how to go about entering basic gun dog tests and competitions or finding out what happens on a shoot day if you would like to beat or pick up. We will also demystify some of the terms used!
Have a go at making a dummy for your dog to retrieve. We supply you with the raw materials. We might even have a competition for the best one!
Before and during supper there will be a chance to talk to Margaret about working gun dogs.
Improvers Week-ends.
On this week-end we will cover the next steps needed for your dog to hunt and pick up either on a shoot day or in tests and trials. This will include: the stop use in a variety of situations, go backs and straight lining far off and near, running rabbit, directions, cold game, hunting, retrieving over water, simulated shooting situations. To come to these week-ends - your dog must be able to: sit & stay, recall, retrieve dummies (not tennis balls) and have a reasonable stop.
You will need to bring
Slip lead
Whistle ACME 210 1/2 on a lanyard (or shoe lace will do)
Bowls
Dog food
Towels
At Ty Gwyn we have warm and safe kennels and stables if you would prefer to leave then outside. Dogs are allowed in the kitchen area of your accommodation in crates but please note they are NOT allowed in bedrooms. Alternatively they may prefer to sleep in your car.
All weather clothing and footwear. Overtrousers are a good idea.
There are several good suppliers of gun dog equipment available on the internet. We like Sporting Saint - a Herefordshire based business.
Accommodation
Your bed and breakfast accommodation will either be here at Ty Gwyn Farm in the Granary Cottage or at one of our neighbour's. We are fortunate in having three excellent b and b's within a mile and half of Ty Gwyn, just down our farm lane so very convenient. Brynhir Farm, Acorn Court and Holly Farm.
Price
£280 to include: Saturday night's bed and breakfast accommodation, two lunches, morning coffee and tea, afternoon tea and supper on the Saturday night; kennelling if required; all tuition and instruction on Saturday and Sunday. If you do not need accommodation the cost is £240.00
If you have a partner who would like to come without a dog, there is an extra charge of £75 for bed and breakfast and all meals as above.
For anyone travelling a distance, Friday night's bed and breakfast is £37 per person.
Dates - 2018
Saturday & Sunday April 7 & 8 - Basic
Saturday & Sunday May 12 & 13 - Improvers
Saturday & Sunday May 26 & 27 -Basic
September 15 & 16 - Basic
October 6 & 7 - Basic
If enough interest for an Improvers then we will put one on to suit. So please let me know if you are interested.
Arrival between 9.30 and 10.00 am for a course start of 10.00am. We will break for lunch and finish around 4.00pm for afternoon tea and a chat about the day's events before having supper. On Sunday morning we will start at 9.30, stopping for lunch, followed by final questions, your own training plan and discussion before departure at about 3.30pm.
To Book
Please telephone 01597 822665(best number in the evenings or week-ends) of 01597 829298 (the farm office so best number in the week-days) or email . Payment can be made by bank transfer, debit or credit card or cheque.
See more photos in the gallery
