I've been working out how best to run some fun training days and competitive scurry events, so I used my three little puppers and two of my daughters, all gundog breeds in this one, I did a day of training sessions and then the following day we ran a 4 event scurry day, so look out for the next post for details of that.

We started the day with a fun meet and greet in the garden over breakfast, to allow the pups to all get to know each other.

Next up each pup was brought out separately and I carried out one of our pup assessments to give the best idea on the pups strengths, weaknesses and the best ways for training.

Then while we were still in the garden each pup got a short individual training session on steady, and then we did some group recall games.

After a quick snack the pups headed out to the moorland and met some pheasants for the first time, animal was NOT impressed with the birds, but mostly everyone else remained calm.

Now its time for our basic gundog training, each pup gets some time out to practice retrieving with the duck dummy and then some jump training. 

First up is animal the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever. Animal is quick and eager to please, his retrieve is great and he finishes with a lovely presentation. He does however seem to be easily distracted, so we'll need to work on his focus. He was also super quick to pick up on the jump and is nice and agile, I think he'll make an excellent future gundog competitor.

Now it's the turn of my flattie Ash, Ash did love to chase the duck but required quite a bit of encouragement to pick it up and bring it back. He often stops what he's doing to jump, forward roll and do general acrobatics. Ash really took to the jumping and was speedy and graceful. I think Ash will make a reasonable gundog with some practice but will probably enjoy agility competitions more.

Next it was time for my daughter's golden retriever Rose. Rose was really nervous and shy of new things, she seems to be a gentle soul. She didn't like the duck being thrown and it took some persuasion for her to pick it up and bring it back. The same happened when the jump was introduced, but with some persuasion and encouragement she eventually took to it. I think Rose will take to whatever is asked of her but she will need to be introduced to new things gradually and receive lots of praise.

Now my little springer Sparrow, she's a spunky little spitfire. Sparrow just loves to retrieve and does great, sometimes she doesn't want to give the dummy up and becomes cross when you take it off her. Sparrow however did not want to do the jumps, she really hates them and starts knocking it away. We did eventually persuade her to jump. I think she'll do well in gundog competitions that involve retrieving or even precision retrieving, but probably not jumping or agility.

Lastly it was the turn of little Vixen, my sweet lab, she is so eager to please and returned the bird each time and very happily lets you take it from her, unfortunately part way into her training session she decided she needed to slow down for a nap - puppy days....

We finished up by having a little picnic and snuggle time in the garden, before the pups returned home, what a fun day and I really enjoyed getting to play with and train Rose and Animal.

I'm sending each of the pups home with 3 field trial show photos, so the gundog fun can continue ...

Today was the first chance for Ash, Sparrow and Vixen got out to play on the moors, I also took out our pair of pheasants for a good romp in their natural habitat. Ash really enjoyed a bit of disc catching, he's showing a real aptitude to it and I'm sure he'll compete in it in the future. Sparrow is finally beginning to feel at ease with the jump and Vixen loved a chance to do a bit of retrieving.

Today I took the pups out and about for their first training session in the wild, we visited the forest clearing by the river. I introduced the pups to the pheasants for the first time,  Vixen remained indifferent to them, while Ash was excited and wanted to play but little Sparrow did not like the birds at all. Vixen's training went smoothly, she's such an easy dog to work with. Ash was very excited and eager, but certainly needs to refine his work. Sparrow is a fantastic retriever but at present is unwilling to jump.