The articles in this section are those which contain practical training advice.

They are grouped according to Gundog Grade.

Here are the sections available so far, I’ll be adding to them as we go

• Grade One Training
• Grade Two Training

So, for example, in the Grade One training section, you will find information to help you learn the skills you will need to pass Grade One Gundog.

Even if you have no desire to take the Grade One Test,  these are the skills which form the foundation on which your future training will need to stand.

Each grade in turn, builds on the skills learnt at the previous grade.

What exactly are gundog Field Tests?

And how do they differ from the traditional gundog tests run by the Kennel Club?

The training process

Field Tests are not competitions.

They are tests for gundogs in training,  and are offered at a number of different ‘grades’.

Are they like Field Trials?

Field Tests are very different from Field Trials

Field Trials are run by the Kennel Club are advanced competitions for fully trained gundogs.  They are held in the shooting season and under shoot conditions.[wp_ad_camp_1]Field Tests are run by the Gundog Club and are tests of the gundog’s progress through the training process.  They are held all year around.

Field Tests are entirely non-competitive.  Each dog entered must meet a set standard in order to pass.

There are no ‘winners’ and no ‘losers’

Dogs that fail can take the test again another day, when they have practiced and improved their skills.

Do Field Tests involve genuine shoot conditions?

The highest grades of Field Test (Grades 5 and 6) involve both game, and water.

Cold game retrieves are required at Grade 5 & 6, and a Record of verified Fieldwork will be required at Grade 6

Dogs that complete grade six will be competent and fully trained gundogs with a genuine record of field experience, on land and water.

The lower grades are run on dummies, and so are also suitable for pet gundogs that are not intended to work in the shooting field.

A complementary process

Field Tests and Field Trials are complementary, and many gundogs that do well in Field Tests will go on to compete in Field Trials and Working Tests

What about working tests?

Working Tests are run by the Kennel Club and like Field Trials are also competitions.

Unlike Field Trials, Working Tests do not take place under live shooting conditions and are usually held during the summer months.

Working tests consist of simulated ‘set-ups’. Most are run on ‘dummies’ though there are some cold game tests.

They enable gundog owners to compete their dogs in conditions designed to test the gundog’s ability, without going into the shooting environment

Like Field Trials, Working Tests are also aimed at dogs that have been trained, and open Working Tests require a high standard of gundog work and ability.

Who manages gundog Field Tests?

Field Tests are run by the Gundog Club, which is the training arm of The Gundog Trust.  Field Tests are the assessments for the Gundog Club’s Graded Training Scheme

You can read more about the Graded Training Scheme in this article: Introducing Graded Training

Why not a competition?

Field Tests are about meeting a standard.   When you are working through a training process, you don’t need to know that your dog can ‘beat’ another dog.  You need to know if he is ready to move on in his training,  and if he has learned the right foundations from which to progress.

‘Losing’ is demoralising and disheartening when you are just starting out,  and your success in a competition is dependent on the standard of the other competitors.

Field Tests avoid any confusion and the stress of competition.  Either you meet the standard, or you do not.  Little is left to chance.

If you put in the effort, and train your dog, you will pass your test and gain your award.

Because the graded training scheme is separated into several stages, there is less risk that dogs will be pushed on too fast, and entered for competitions before they are ready.  This is an ideal system for assessing dogs that are still in the early or intermediate stages of the gundog training process

Passing your Field Tests is a great boost and helps you move on with confidence and renewed enthusiasm and commitment.  This is what Graded Training is all about.

How do I enter?

You can book individual tests (at the lower grades), group tests with a friend,  or you can join in group tests arranged through your training Club or Society.   Several clubs now put on special tests days once or twice a year.

The more people that take their test at one time,  the more economical it is for each individual taking part. And you are not restricted to entering dogs that are registered with the Kennel Club.  Cross-bred dogs are welcome to participate.

Bookings are made through the Gundog Club   telephone number 01428 717529

Do I have to attend a course?

You do not need to attend a course in order to take a Field Test

The Gundog Club used to run courses using sub-contracted instructors, but this system was discontinued in 2010.

How do I train?

Nowadays you can train in groups or one-to-one with Accredited Gundog Club Instructors, or at home by yourself, using the Gundog Club manuals to help you.  Most people use a combination of home training and professional help –  with professional help and facilities being especially important at the higher grades.

Field Tests are fun.  There are tests for each stage in the training process.  You do not have to pass the previous grade in order to enter the Grade you think suitable for your dog.

Check out the Gundog Club website for more information or to book your test.

 

The Graded Training Scheme for gundogs was launched in the UK in 2006

It is a national scheme and gundog owners can participate throughout the United Kingdom

The scheme sets concise standards for gundogs-in-training at different levels.

And enables gundogs to be assessed against those standards in a series of Field Tests

The categories

The scheme comprises six levels or grades for each of three categories of gundog work

The categories are

• Retrievers
• Spaniels
• HPRs

No pedigree required

Participating dogs do not need to be purebred.  Any dog, can compete in any category.[wp_ad_camp_1]The only criteria is that the dog and his handler can meet the standard laid out for the grade and in the category, for which the dog has been entered.

If your dog can hunt like a spaniel should hunt, and retrieve as a spaniel should retrieve, he can enter the spaniel tests.

It does not matter a bit who his parents were.  Nor will anyone mind if his coat is the wrong colour or his tail is too long.   He will be assessed against the standard, just like any other dog participating in the scheme.

The grades

Over the last few decades much progress has been made in our understanding of the learning process.

We now know that breaking any training journey down into achievable chunks or stages, makes that process more effective and more enjoyable for those taking part.

This applies as much to our dogs as it does to their owners.

The gundog training process is broken down into six individual grades

Each grade has a standard laid down, and any dog meeting that standard, in one (or more) designated Field Test(s) will gain his award.

The awards start out very simply (at grade one), and become progressively more challenging as you work through the scheme.

We will be looking at the grades in more detail in forthcoming articles

The Gundog Club

The graded training scheme is managed by the Gundog Club,  the training arm of The Gundog Trust, the UK’s national gundog charity.

You can find out more about the GC in this article, or by visiting the Gundog Club website.

There are some more articles about graded training below

• Are gundog tests too easy?
• Gundog tests and pedigree papers

If you enjoy my articles, you might like my new book: The Happy Puppy Handbook – a definitive guide to early puppy care and training.

The Gundog Club was launched to help gundog owners that are struggling to complete their dog’s field training,  or having difficulty controlling their pet gundogs.

The Gundog Club is a great resource for gundog owners everywhere and provides the UK’s  National Gundog Training Scheme.

Graded Training

The Graded Training Scheme divides the process of training your gundog into six separate stages with awards at each level along the way.     To earn your award,  you need to successfully complete a non-competitive Field Test.

Great for pets too

Pet gundogs that are not intended for the shooting field can take the first four tests without coming into contact with game,  as the first four grades are all test on dummies.

The grades take each dog through the process of training a gundog from beginner to master,  and are a great way to prepare a gundog for the shooting field or to simply achieve a better behaved pet.

Training Books

To help you along the way,  the Gundog Club sell training guides,  written by me,  each one aimed at helping you pass a particular Grade.    The proceeds from these books all go to The Gundog Trust.  This is the first in the training series: Passing Grade One

Accredited Instructors

Perhaps most importantly the Gundog Club provide a growing register of Accredited Gundog Instructors

.  These are all experienced gundog trainers that have undertaken to help you train your gundog using positive and humane methods of training.

To find out more,  visit the Gundog Club’s website :  The Gundog Club

The Gundog Club is owned and managed by gundog welfare charity The Gundog Trust.