You might have come across my partner, Adam, at the Spinone test - he was handling Grey, our Slovak in Puppy. (The only Slovak so she was probably quite noticeable!).
See you around at events in future! _________________ Slate and Grey
Welcome to the board Nigel. What did you think of the gundog club courses and tests?
It is a madhouse, but you'll get used to it lol
Helen
Our first ever formal training was at a WCGB WT day at Tenterden where John Parr gave training to a special beginners class in the morning. After a long long lunch break we took the test. There were several (about 10) weims of varying age and aptitude. John was very good and what he taught us that morning we took away and practised ahead of the GDC G1 course. Misty did well in Sp. Beginners, (1st), so that got us hooked.
We then embarked on the GDC G1 course over at Elstead and there were some natural conflicts between what I had previously been taught, both by John and also from my 12 month Obedience Training experience I had several years ago with Storm.
It was very beneficial being on the course. There were 5 regulars, 3 spaniels, one lab and one weim. Ages ranged from 6 (9?) months to over two years. I learned to use the whistle.
Meanwhile we went on the Brittany WT day and learned a lot from observing and participating in the Puppy Class test.
There was no water test in GDC G1 or G2, but I was working separately to get Misty to swim and retrieve which she is very keen on. So she was well set up for the water retrieves at both the Britanny and the Spinone WT days.
The GDC G1 (and G2) do not place over emphasis on hunting which is understandable because I can appreciate that handlers and dogs coming to those courses are usually very needful of obedience training suitable for gundogs. We were well ahead on that score because I have other dogs and had some prior knowledge.
The course approach I found very enjoyable because I like the discipline that group teaching instills. Plus you can give and receive encourgagement to/from your fellow handlers. It was a great mix of people and dogs. Aiming to pass a test is a great inducement to stay with it.
Back to the WT days. I was surprised how long they took, not realising that it's an all day affair. I enjoyed them so much that I went along to the recent GSP day even without a dog!
I enjoy the breed rivalry and meeting up with fellow weim owners some of whom I meet at shows. It certainly spurs you on to progress training with your dog.
Novice class beckons in a few months and that is a great incentive too.
The contacts I made at the WT days will allow me to attend monthly training in my locality, probably with the GSP at Lightwater.
I will continue with the GDC to the very end because it is something to aim at and I will be exposed to more training techniques, problems and solutions, venues, people and breeds. And that will help me train up my next weim in a few years.
Belated welcome. Let me know if you're planning on going to the GSP training at Lightwater as that is where I go. Look out for the mad Munsterlanders. I went on Sunday and there were 6 Munsties there. We're quietly (or in the case of a Munstie - not so quietly) taking over the GSP training
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