How to: crate train your gundog puppy

Correct use of a crate in a puppy’s early life doesn’t just help with house training – it benefits the entire gundog training journey, says Howard. Here’s how to get it right.

How to protect your working dog from parasites

Prevention really is better than cure. Here is vet Vicky Payne’s guide on how to ensure you give your dog the best and most efficient protection from parasites.

Gundog training: blind retrieves

One of our gundog training goals is to successfully send the dog for birds or dummies they have no prior knowledge of. Here’s Howard Kirby’s guide on how to perfect the ‘one-cast’ blind retrieve.

Keeping gundog care costs down

The cost of living crisis is affecting everyone, and gundog owners are no exception! Here, vet Vicky Payne offers advice on how to keep your dog care costs down.

Watch: Training gundogs to not swap birds

In this video, Howard Kirby shows us a simple exercise you can do at home to train your dog not to swap birds when retrieving in the field.

Directional training: The Clock Face

Gundog trainer Howard Kirby explains how to use the clock face for a set of time- and space-efficient retrieving exercises to help cement directional commands.

Gundog breeding: not just a pretty face!

With no formal breed standards to adhere to, gundog breeders have free rein to work towards whichever characteristics they choose, but two factors remain most important: aesthetics and working ability.

Common dog-handling mistakes on the beating line

Ryan Kay thinks small syndicate shoots are the ideal place to work your gundog, and looks at some of the most common mistakes handlers make on the beating line.

Watch: Training long-distance blind retrieves

In this video, gundog trainer Howard Kirby shows us three methods we can use when training our gundogs at home to help perfect the long-distance, blind retrieve.

Gundog training: Judging the distance of retrieves

Being able to judge distance when sending your dog for a retrieve is an essential skill, albeit not one of the most exciting! Howard Kirby offers some top tips to ensure you’re not sending them on a wild goose chase.

Gundog theft awareness week

Gundog Theft Awareness Week aims to raise awareness of gundog theft and its prevention; it is estimated that nearly half of all stolen dogs are working gundogs.

Long distance retrieves in the field

Gundog trainer Howard Kirby explains how to maximise your chances of pulling off the perfect long distance retrieve while picking-up out on a shoot day.

The use of e-collars in dog training

With the use of e-collars having been outlawed in Wales since 2010, Vicky Payne explains why she believes we should be lobbying to have this ban extended to the rest of the UK.

Gundog food: what to feed your working dog

Ask 10 gundog owners what the best dog food is and you will get 10 different answers! Vicky Payne explores how to feed our working dogs, depending on their needs and our priorities.

Watch: Teaching your gundog directional commands

Andy Brown of Cotswold Gundogs demonstrates how to introduce directional commands into your young dog's training, with variations on the exercises for both retrieving and hunting breeds.

Gundog training progression: Introducing another dummy

Gundogs and grass seeds

Should I castrate my dog?