Training the trainer
Shooting Times & Country|January 08, 2020
Whatever sport you take part in, you need to keep training. Ellena Swift decides to get some practice in
Ellena Swift
Training the trainer

It always amazes me when people are surprised that I go for lessons myself. Gundog training is like any other discipline — you never stop learning. Sometimes when clients come for lessons they almost seem ashamed, as if it were an admission that they have failed. What they don’t realise is that the best trainers in the world continue to seek help from other experts.

Anyone who competes in a sport involving dogs — field trials, agility, flyball or even heelwork to music — will know that dogs keep you humble. You can never profess to know it all nor be the perfect trainer. All we can do is strive to be better and continue to improve our dogs.

With this in mind I enlisted the help and guidance of some extremely experienced and knowledgeable trainers and organized a small walked-up day on our shoot at home.

Experienced trainers

We had six Guns shooting, three of whom were also handling and working their own dogs. One was the A-panel retriever judge and renowned trainer and handler Barry Cooper. He has an absolute wealth of experience and what he doesn’t know isn’t usually worth knowing.

The second expert was Andrew Rooney of Drumindoney Gundogs, who has trained several Irish field trial champions and represented Ireland in team competitions.

The final trainer was Nathan Laffy, who recently competed the youngest dog at the 2019 IGL Retriever Championship. Not only was this an achievement in itself but he also received a diploma of merit and was the Guns’ choice. All three handlers can offer plenty of guidance and advice when it comes to my own dogs.

A common criticism of trialling dogs is that they do not work in a real shooting scenario. This was a real rough shooting day with a variety of dogs hunting ditches, hedges, briar, game cover and woodland to flush birds for the Guns.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SHOOTING TIMES & COUNTRYView all
United we stand
Shooting Times & Country

United we stand

Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors

time-read
5 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Serious matters
Shooting Times & Country

Serious matters

An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning

time-read
3 mins  |
August 02, 2023
They're not always as easy as they seem
Shooting Times & Country

They're not always as easy as they seem

While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort

time-read
5 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Debutant gundogs
Shooting Times & Country

Debutant gundogs

There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting

time-read
4 mins  |
August 02, 2023
When the going gets rough
Shooting Times & Country

When the going gets rough

Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique

time-read
5 mins  |
August 02, 2023
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
Shooting Times & Country

The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition

In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make

time-read
4 mins  |
August 02, 2023
A step too far?
Shooting Times & Country

A step too far?

Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work

time-read
6 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Two bucks before breakfast
Shooting Times & Country

Two bucks before breakfast

A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem

time-read
6 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Stalking Diary
Shooting Times & Country

Stalking Diary

Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill

time-read
2 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Gamekeeper
Shooting Times & Country

Gamekeeper

Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside

time-read
3 mins  |
August 02, 2023