AC Gundogs

09/10/2026

Another day trying something a little different for me and Gwenny — this time a driven trialling day with Sue Hutton at Montoux Gundogs.

It was an absolute honour to be invited along again and we thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Gwen ran her retrieves really well, listened to me, took her direction and once she was out working, I really couldn’t have asked much more of her.

And then there was the heelwork…

Still our kryptonite and definitely the bit that needs some work! But that’s training. There’s always something to take away, work on and hopefully come back a little better next time.

What I’m really enjoying through all of this is how much Gwen and I are growing together as a team. I’m learning to trust her more, trust myself a little more and just enjoy having a go.

A huge thank you again to Sue for the invitation, the support and for continuing to help us on this little journey, and Darryl Owen for coming along to get some amazing photos and memories of our day

03/10/2026

Day 2 of our walk-up trialling training done with Sue Hutton at Montoux Gundogs!

Well, Gwenny came out this morning with a slightly different attitude…

“I’ve got this, Mum. I know what we’re doing now!”

So she was definitely a tad more wired today now she knew exactly what it was all about!

Again, it was our heelwork that let us down a little, but once she was out working she was brilliant. She listened, took my direction and we worked really well together as a team.

One moment I was particularly proud of was her leaving a walking partridge and taking the cast I asked her for instead. That felt like a pretty big win!

There’s plenty for us to go away and work on, particularly that kryptonite heelwork, but I honestly couldn’t have asked much more of her over these two days.

So proud of us both. We stepped outside our comfort zone, learnt loads and, most importantly, worked together as a team.

And a huge thank you to Sue for all her support, encouragement and help on this journey. For pushing me when I need it, helping me trust my dog and giving me the confidence to have a go at something that is definitely outside my comfort zone. It really does mean a lot.

Gwenny, you’re a little star.

02/10/2026

Day 1 of walk-up trialling training done with Sue Hutton at Montoux Gundogs!

And I have to say, Gwen held her own… and so did I!

She did everything I could have asked of her and more. She didn’t lose her head, she was steady as a rock and picked everything I needed her to.

Lots to take away from today, but the main thing we need to work on is our heelwork — which, as I will always openly admit, is our kryptonite!

Really proud of her today. We were both pushed out of our comfort zone a little, but that’s exactly why we came.

Bring on day 2!

29/09/2026

What a day for Team AC Gundogs!

We had such a brilliant day at the Charity Working Test, with some fantastic results across the team.

Nikki came 1st in Novice Dog Novice Handler, with Lou taking 4th.

Sharon had a fantastic day in Intermediate, taking both 1st and 3rd place with her dogs.

I managed 2nd in Intermediate, just one point off the win after a three-dog run-off!

And Dave and Wilf topped off a brilliant day by achieving the Best Team Trophy as well.

But more than the placings and trophies, I was just so proud watching everyone out there with their dogs. Every single one of them did a fab job and showed just how much all the training is paying off.

The best bit, The dogs had absolutely no idea what all the fuss was about. As far as they were concerned, it was just another day out doing what they love.

A huge thank you to Collette and completely gundogs who organised the day, the judges, dummy throwers and all the helpers who gave up their time to make it happen. Days like this simply couldn’t run without you, and it was even better knowing it was all in aid of charity.

A very proud day for Team AC Gundogs and definitely one worth celebrating.

18/09/2026

Why do I teach heelwork using a stationary target?
One of the biggest mistakes people make with heelwork is expecting the dog to understand exactly where "heel" is from the very beginning.
But how can they?
If we don't clearly explain where we want our dog to be, we're expecting them to guess.
That's why I start teaching heelwork statically using a target.
It gives the dog a clear picture of exactly what we're asking before we introduce movement, distractions or duration.
Once they truly understand the position, we can gradually build on it until heelwork becomes something they understand, rather than something they're constantly trying to work out.
This video doesn't show the target because Remi is well past that stage, but this is exactly what those foundation exercises help create.
Taking the time to build strong foundations at the beginning makes progressing so much easier later on.
And of course Ody the Dalmatian was making sure he doesn't miss the next sweetie!😂

13/09/2026

5 Reasons Your Dog Will Thank You for Starting Gundog Training
Thinking about trying gundog training?

You don't need to work your dog in the shooting field to enjoy all the benefits.
In fact, most of the dogs I train are much-loved family pets whose owners simply want to give them an outlet for what they were bred to do.
Gundog training builds teamwork, improves everyday manners, challenges your dog's brain and, most importantly, gives you both something to enjoy together.
Whether you've got a bouncy puppy or an older dog that's never done any training before, it's never too late to start.
If you've ever wondered whether gundog training is right for your dog, I'd love to show you what it's all about.
Which reason stands out to you the most?

13/08/2026

It’s taken me a few days to come down from the excitement of our Scurry Day, and I still can’t quite believe what a fantastic day it was.
A huge thank you to Darry Owen Photography for capturing so many brilliant moments. The photos are absolutely beautiful and perfectly show the fun, determination and teamwork that made the day so special.
📸 You can view the full gallery here:
https://darrylowenphotography.pic-time.com/client/ac-gundogs-scurry-day/gallery?s={%22blockId%22:%22gb_108378474%22,%22itemId%22:12308348466,%22fullScreen%22:false}
I also want to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped behind the scenes. From throwing dummies and helping on the exercises to keeping everything running smoothly, I genuinely couldn’t have done it without you.
And finally, thank you to everyone who came along and supported the event. Whether you were there to have a go, cheer others on or simply enjoy the day, you made it what it was. Seeing so many happy handlers and dogs enjoying themselves is exactly why we do it.
We’re incredibly grateful to every single person who helped make the day such a success, and we can't wait to do it all again.

08/08/2026

Accidents don't wait for the vets to open.
We all hope we'll never need to use first aid on our dogs, but when something does happen, those first few minutes can make all the difference.
Whether it's a cut pad, a grass seed, heatstroke, a snake bite or something more serious, knowing how to respond calmly and safely could help your dog while you're getting them to veterinary care.
That's why we're excited to be hosting a Canine First Aid Course, delivered by the experienced team at Two Line Training.
This practical, hands-on course is designed to give you the confidence to recognise emergencies, provide immediate first aid and understand what to do before you reach the vet.
You'll cover topics including:
• Bleeding
• Heatstroke
• CPR
• Snake bites
• Eye injuries
• Tick removal
• Drowning
• Seizures
• Poisoning
• Shock
• Essential emergency contact information
…and much more.
Whether you train, work, compete or simply enjoy getting out and about with your dog, these are skills you'll hopefully never need—but if you do, you'll be glad you have them.
Saturday 22nd August
10am – 3pm
£50 (includes qualification)
AC Gundogs, Milford Road, Hampshire
If you'd like to book a place or have any questions, just get in touch.
You'll hopefully never need these skills—but if you do, you'll be glad you have them

From novice, young pup or experienced hand, ACGundogs are here to help bring out the best in your dog