Scoutingdale Gundogs

14/10/2026

- Does your dog really understand the hunt whistle?

A little exercise with Ruby to test whether she understands that the hunt whistle means hold and hunt an area, rather than simply go for a retrieve she’s seen.

Really pleased with how she handled this one!

10/10/2026

A bit of steadiness training with Ruby and the dummy launcher.

Steadiness isn’t just about staying put when a dummy is launched. It’s also about learning to wait patiently between shots, without constantly anticipating what’s coming next.

The sound of the launcher shouldn’t automatically mean there’s a retrieve to be had.

Sometimes there’s a shot. Sometimes there’s a retrieve. Sometimes we just sit and wait.

The important thing is that Ruby waits for her cue to retrieve rather than anticipating that every shot means it’s time to go.

After all, being steady when something happens is one thing. Being patient when nothing happens is just as important!

04/10/2026

SAME DUMMY… VERY DIFFERENT VIEW 👀

I’ve had some new fluorescent orange dummies from Harvey at HectorKirk Gundogs & Sporting and these photos show exactly why I wanted them.

One is roughly how we see the dummy, the other gives you an idea of how the dog sees it.

The real benefit for me comes when we start increasing the distance.

At 100–150 yards I can still clearly see that orange dummy sitting out in the field, whereas for the dog it blends much more into the background.

It’s actually a really useful training aid.

Because I can see exactly where the dummy is, I know whether the dog is holding the line I’ve given them. If they start to drift, I can stop them and handle them towards the correct area rather than guessing where the dummy actually is myself.

The dog then has to trust the line and the handling I’m giving them, before using their nose when they reach the area.

I also think these could be a really nice progression on from white dummies. Start with something the dog can clearly see to build confidence in running a line, then gradually move onto something less visible while still being able to help them get it right.

It’s not about trying to catch the dog out or making the exercise unnecessarily difficult. It’s about giving me, as the handler, the ability to see exactly where I’m trying to get the dog to, even at 100–150 yards, so I can help them when they need it.

Simple idea, but a really useful training tool. 👍🏻🐾

04/10/2026

Can your dog not retrieve and then recall! (even a giant Carrot)

01/10/2026

1st October isn’t just another date in the diary for some of us. 🍂

It marks the return of days spent outdoors, working our dogs, catching up with friends, supporting our physical and mental wellbeing, and bringing responsibly sourced food back to the family table.

And it reaches much further than the shoot itself — from everyone meeting for breakfast at the local pub to supporting dog trainers, vets, equipment suppliers and other rural businesses.

Here’s to a safe, responsible and enjoyable season ahead. 🐾🌿

30/09/2026

This is important, I’ve done it, have you?

Be the voice of shooting. Don’t let our opponents decide our future - get your evidence to Defra by 1 November.

29/09/2026

There’s a small bit of dog training language that I think makes quite a big difference: cue rather than command.

Robert Milner talks about this in ‘Absolutely Positively Gundog Training’. A cue is simply a prompt for a behaviour the dog has already learned. It doesn’t make the dog do something, it tells them which behaviour we’re asking for.

“Sit”, a whistle, a hand signal or “Back” are all just cues the dog has learned and linked to a specific behaviour.

It might only be a small change in wording, but it’s one I feel quite strongly about because I think it changes the way we look at training too.

We teach the behaviour first, then give the dog a clear cue for it.

The word matters because the mindset behind it matters. Good training isn’t about commanding a dog. It’s about teaching clearly enough that the dog understands what the cue means.

24/08/2026

Great day at the East Midland Gundog Club Working Test! ❤️

Debs & Scoutingdale Good Time Girl aka Chili had a brilliant day, dropping just 3 marks and making it through to a run-off for 1st place, only narrowly missing out on the top spot.

Super proud 👏🏻👏🏻

19/06/2026

Great photos from a working test last month at Canine In-tuition, where Deb & Chili won and Ruby and I came fourth. Great day for Scoutingdale!

11/06/2026