Gundog Expert Articles

Grouse Point Training - What an experience! by Harriet Lampart

Having never seen a grouse let alone worked a dog on a grouse moor I was very excited to be going up to County Durham for a grouse point training day with my GSP Gwyn.

The night before we left, I dreamt Gwyn mauled a sheep on the moor.  This then started a flood of worries – what if she really did maul a sheep, what if she ran off, what if, what if…..

After a good night’s sleep in the B&B we awoke to a beautiful cold but sunny morning and met up with everyone including Roy – the head keeper, Mark – organiser extraordinaire and last but not least, Andy Cullen, Laochin Gundogs – our trainer for the day.  Andy started the day off by giving us each a Winners Pack from CSJ.  It contained samples of various fishy dog treats and some Fit ‘n’ Fast.  We all love a freebie and Gwyn was certainly impressed with all the products when we got home - so much so that she performed all the tricks that my daughter had taught her in one go without being commanded – if only she would be so eager to please all the time!

We made our way onto the moor and not having a 4x4 I was grateful it was dry (must make a note for next year’s Christmas list……).

There were about 10 dogs running, a nice mix of HPR breeds with people from our club as well as others, so good opportunities to see how the different breeds worked as well as make new friends.

Roy walked us out onto the moor and I was the first to succumb to the terrain by falling over in the muddiest part of the moor possible – much to Adam’s amusement!  With only my pride bruised we marched on and started our 10 minute runs under Andy’s watchful eye.  My turn – off goes Gwyn.  She can’t believe her luck at this sudden freedom!  I’d been under strict instruction from Colin during the last training day at Occold to stop all free running and hunting to get her listening more to me.  I’d been a good student and had kept her close all week only allowing her to run for a retrieve or a recall.  It wasn’t long before Gwyn went on point.  I sent her in and out came a rabbit.  I am sorry to say that she chased it, but at least it wasn’t a sheep!  Got her back and off we went again. “She’s hunting for herself and not for you” was Andy’s assessment.  Now where have I heard that before……?  Our 10 minutes seemed to be over in a flash and we rejoined the rest of the group following the action, watching, learning and chatting.

After lunch we drove off to another part of the moor and split into 2 groups.  Andy took our group to start with and Roy took the other.  The idea was to have 5 minute runs with quick turn rounds and then swap trainers half way through.

“It’s all about creating movement” says Andy “and don’t let her cast out too far.”.  We were working into the wind and he gets me to walk slightly in front of Gwyn.  Just as her head turns towards me I have to blow 2 pips on my whistle – brilliant, she turns – must have been a fluke.  She runs past me, I turn the other way keeping a close eye on her, she glances my way – 2 pips – she turns – eureka!  Heh, there’s nothing to this really – oh dear rabbit holes again – not listening now is she!  A stern word gets her moving again.  We keep going, sometimes I’m a fraction too early and sometimes a fraction too late.  It’s not easy keeping your eye on your dog and trying to negotiate knee high heather and boggy holes without falling flat on your face (again).

As we have our 3rd and 4th runs we are getting better and better.  Gwyn is actually beginning to look to me now for direction and I’m feeling we are at last beginning to connect and work as a team.  We continue to progress through the afternoon and although we see plenty of grouse, Gwyn doesn’t point any but I’m not worried about that - we’ve made progress! 

We finish the day feeling tired but elated.  To have had the opportunity to work my dog in this spectacular countryside and to get such quality training and guidance has been a real treat.  I’ll definitely come again and would encourage anyone else to grab the opportunity if they get it.

Many thanks to Roy the Headkeeper for allowing us onto the moor and guiding us around, to Andy Cullen from Laochin Gundogs whose patience and training helped to create a new budding relationship between me and my dog and also to Mark Gittins for organising the day.

(posted 16/05/2008)