AC Gundogs

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

05/08/2026

Your training journey won't always move forwards... and that's okay.
If only training were a straight line.
Some days everything seems to click. Your dog remembers everything, stays focused, and you leave feeling like you've finally cracked it.
Then the next session, it can feel like you've gone backwards.
The recall isn't quite as sharp.
The retrieve isn't as tidy.
Your dog is distracted by things they've ignored before.
It's easy to leave those sessions feeling frustrated and wondering where it all went wrong.
But the truth is, every training journey has its ups and downs.
Progress isn't measured by what happens in one session.
It's measured by what happens over weeks, months and even years.
There will be setbacks.
There will be plateaus.
There will be days when it feels like you're starting all over again.
That doesn't mean you're failing.
It means you're training a dog.
Stay consistent.
Celebrate the small wins.
Trust the process.
Because one difficult session doesn't undo all the good work you've already put in.
When you look back, you'll realise just how far you and your dog have come.

02/08/2026

If you've trained with me for any length of time, you've probably heard me say...
"I'd take that."
Sometimes after a delivery to hand but they ran in.
Sometimes after a stop.
Sometimes after something so small you might not even have realised your dog had made progress.
And that's exactly the point.
The biggest breakthroughs don't always look spectacular.
They might be your dog choosing to look back at you instead of charging off.
A calm sit while another dog is working.
A cleaner pick-up.
A straighter return.
Waiting for permission instead of assuming.
Those little moments are where progress happens.
It's easy to focus on what still needs work, but if we only ever look at what's missing, we miss just how far our dogs have come.
When I say, "I'd take that," I'm recognising a step in the right direction. One good decision leads to another, and before you know it, those small wins have become solid, reliable behaviours.
So next time you hear me smile and say, "I'd take that," don't think I'm settling for less.
I'm recognising a small step in the right direction.
Because enough small wins, celebrated at the right time, eventually become the dog you've always wanted.
So next time you're training, don't just look for perfection.
Look for progress.
Because that's what we're building, one small win at a time.
What's been your dog's small win recently? I'd love to hear it.

29/07/2026

One of the biggest benefits of our training days is having access to such a variety of ground.
Throughout the day we move around different areas of the estate, using woodland, tracks, water and changing terrain. Every location presents your dog with a slightly different challenge, helping them learn that the same behaviours apply wherever they are.
Dogs don't generalise their training as well as we often think. A perfect retrieve in one field doesn't always mean they'll do the same somewhere new. By training in a range of environments, we build confidence, consistency and reliability that carries over into real life.
Whether your goal is working your dog in the shooting field or simply enjoying relaxed walks with a dog that listens wherever you go, exposing them to different environments is an important part of their education.
That's why we don't stand in one field all day. We make the most of everything the estate has to offer, giving both dogs and handlers the opportunity to learn, adapt and progress together.
We look forward to welcoming you to a training day soon.

21/07/2026

A little bit about AC Gundogs...

After the lovely messages over the last few weeks, I thought I'd share a little about what AC Gundogs is really about.

My passion has always been helping owners build confident, reliable dogs that are a pleasure to live with, train and work.

For some, that means preparing a dog for the shooting field. For others, it's developing the natural instincts of a pet gundog so they can enjoy training, retrieving and exploring what their breed was designed to do. Every dog deserves the opportunity to use its instincts in a positive and rewarding way.

I've never measured success by rosettes or trophies. I measure it by seeing owners leave training with a smile on their face, dogs that are happier and more fulfilled, and teams that enjoy spending time together.

I do occasionally enjoy trying something new with my own dogs, but first and foremost, I'm a trainer. I'm always learning, always developing, and I think that's something we should all continue to do, no matter how much experience we have.

Whether your goal is a steady working dog, a reliable pet gundog or simply a better relationship with your dog, my aim is always the same: kind, fair, practical training that builds confidence in both ends of the lead.

That's what AC Gundogs has always been about, and always will be.

17/07/2026

Who says training can't be fun?

Dogs don't care whether it's a dummy, a hay bale or a new obstacle to explore. They just love spending time with us.

These little moments build confidence, trust and a willingness to have a go, but more importantly they remind us why we started this in the first place.

Life is busy, dogs grow up far too quickly, so make time to laugh, play and enjoy every adventure together.

After all, that's what having a dog is really about.

13/07/2026

A different kind of training day.
If you fancy spending a few hours doing something enjoyable with your dog, why not come along to our Fun Gundog Scurry Day?
Designed for retrievers, spaniels and HPRs, the day is all about having fun, challenging yourselves and putting your training into practice in a relaxed and friendly environment.
You'll work your way around a variety of timed gundog-inspired scurries, including retrieves, hunting exercises and water work, giving you and your dog plenty of different challenges throughout the session.
Whether you've only just started your gundog journey or you've been training for years, everyone is welcome.
Saturday 8th August 2026
Morning Session: 9.00am – 12.00pm
Afternoon Session: 1.00pm – 4.00pm
£20 per dog, per session.
Location:
AC Gundogs
Milford On Sea
SO41 0LJ
If you're looking for a fun day out with your dog, we'd love to see you there.
Places are limited, so booking is essential.
Book online at:
www.acgundogs.com

13/06/2026

Well… I still can’t quite believe I’m writing this.

Today Gwen and I won Novice Dog / Novice Handler at the working test.

And the crazy part?

This was only our second ever official working test.

When I got Gwen, I had no grand plans. Just a lovely Labrador to train, enjoy and hopefully have some fun with along the way. Like all dogs, we’ve had things we’ve found easy and things we’ve had to work through. Plenty of mistakes. Plenty of learning.

So to come away with a win today feels pretty special.

More than the result, I’m proud of the partnership we’ve built. The hours of training, the good days, the frustrating days, and all those little moments that nobody else sees.

A huge thank you to the organisers, Usk Valley, the judges and everyone who helped put on a fantastic day. And congratulations to everyone who took part.
And to our dear friend Sam Davis for winning open!!!

Tonight, Gwen is getting an extra cuddle… and I’ll probably still be smiling about it tomorrow.

🏆 1st Place - Novice Dog / Novice Handler
❤️ Only our second ever working test

Not a bad day for Team AC Gundogs.