**NEW FOR 2025**

Do you have a Gun Dog for a pet? (Even if you don't, read on!)

Gun Dog breeds - Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Pointers, and Poodles (yes! Poodles were originally Gun Dogs!) and their crosses - are among the most popular breeds as pet dogs in the UK.

You don't have to intend to "work" your Gun Dog in shoots to benefit from teaching your pet dog the skills used in The Field.  Many of the behaviours taught to Gun Dogs are incredibly useful for our pet dogs of ALL breeds, and giving our pet dogs an outlet to express themselves in the job they were bred for can help solve many challenging behaviours, as well as being fun and to build up our relationship and teamwork.

In this 6 week course, we will look at the skills our pet Gun Dogs were bred for and teaching the Foundations needed for these skills:

* Understanding your pet Gun Dog (and all dogs) and their job in the Field
* Types of Reinforcement for Gun Dogs (and all dogs)
* Eye Contact, Focus and Engagement
* Chin Target
* Platform work and Positions
* Stationary Behaviours (Sit, Down and Stand)
* Chill Out (Nothing Is Happening)

Also:
* Beginning Recall to Whistle
* Beginning Retrieve to Hand
* Beginning Search
* Beginning Stop at Distance
* Beginning Send Away
* Beginning Walking to Heel (on and off lead)

Once the Foundation Course is completed, further classes build on these skills
 

What do you need to bring?

• Your dog! Wearing a flat collar, and harness if you use one

• A training lead – no retractable or slip leads, please.  Double-ended 6' or 8' leads are great, and a 5m long line. (Spares are always available)

• Treats!  As we use reward-based training we ‘pay’ our dogs for working for us.  Please bring really tasty treats – chicken, cheese, ham… they only need to be really small – think pea-sized! 

• A mat or blanket for your dog to settle on when not working, and water.

• A favourite toy

 

Where?

Mawnan Cricket Club
Carwinion Playing Fields
Carwinion Road
Mawnan Smith
Nr Falmouth
TR11 5JA

Directions approaching Mawnan Smith village on Penwarne Road - just past the Spar Shop, the Red Lion Pub will be directly in front of you.  Take the road on the left of the pub.  Proceed for 0.3 miles.  There will be a sign on your left saying Carwinion Playing Fields.  

Directions approaching Mawnan Smith village on Maenporth Road, passing Maenporth Beach on your left.  From Maenporth Beach, follow this road for 1.5 miles.  There will be a sign on your right saying Carwinion Playing Fields.  

There is ample parking. Please try to toilet your puppy before class on the strip of grass alongside the hall - please pick up after your puppy to keep the venue clean.  Unfortunately, the field is not for dog play.

Please note:

- These are primarily outdoor classes, so please come dressed for mildly inclement weather. However, inside space is available, so if it's really bad weather, we may be able to move inside.
- All classes are subject to Covid regulations in place at the time of the class; if we enter a lockdown all classes will continue online.

What Next?

Further Pet Gun Dog club sessions will be available.