Are the gun dog training methods successful?
It is better for a gun dog to be trained in a group as there will be a lot more distractions. Our group training lasts for 6 weeks and on completion we will hold a novice working test to see how your gun dog will do. Our working gun dog training methods for labradors,golden retrievers and any other working gundog have been tried and tested over many years and are very effective. After only a few weeks on our gun dog group training programme you will start seeing a difference in your gun dog’s capabilities. A good training group is key to successful gundog training as it will make you accountable and keep you on track each week.
How to train a gun dog?
The key is repetition, repetition, repetition and more repetition
The aim of gun dog training is to control the actions of the gun dog through the medium of the canine mind. It is the mind of the gundog which we are training. This method is often called psychological dog training.
Gun dog training must be adapted to each dog’s particular character and disposition: one gun dog is shy, another bold; one is sensitive, another insensitive; one responsive, another self-centred etc. Gundogs vary in temperament just as much as people do – no two dogs are alike. It is essential therefore that the gundog trainer sees things from the dogs point of view and plans his/her gundog training course bearing these factors in mind. After initial observation our professional gun dog trainers are able to tailor a gundog training course to suit your working gundogs particular characteristics. This is the key to the success of our gundog training course.
Our Training Philosophy - “Let the gundog make a choice”
Nordenlights employs training methods based in sound canine psychological principals combined with techniques developed from years of trial and error.
With the Nordenlights training programs the working gundog is always encouraged to take a choice. Right or wrong we let the gundog express itself through its actions and then support or correct that action.
Unlike many other gundog training programs, a Nordenlights trained gundog is not trained using fear or violence or at the other end of the scale soft ineffective bribery techniques. Instead, the gundog is given the opportunity to make a choice through being placed in an optimum learning situation. The decision the gundog then makes is either supported or re-directed.
In essence, it is about giving the gundog a mentally agreeable invitation to follow a path of behaviour that is initially, lightly supported by recognised stimulus. The resulting behaviour will be predictable and it is that behaviour which can then be shaped further to meet your training and lifestyle goals.
The power, behind this method of reshaping, lies in the gundog being shown a new path of behaviour to follow, and then given the opportunity to act on it. This makes the action carried out the gundog’s decision, which greatly reduces learning stress and in turn improves the gundog to handler to gundog communication process.
Group Gundog Training Costs
The cost is £175 for the training per session paid by the group (minimum of 4 in a group and a maximum of 6). For this you get 3 hours of training a week for the group, unlimited phone calls for advice and a mock working test at the end of the training programme.