The problem: How to challenge your dog off season

Now that the shooting season is over, I would like to enter my dog in some working tests. I was wondering if I can train for these events and, if so, what kind of exercises should I be doing to help me be successful? G WOODFORD, DEVON

The causes

It has to be said from the outset that not all gundogs or handlers are cut out to be good at working tests. Indeed, some dogs and their owners can find the pressure of performing under such circumstances too much and everything can fall apart very quickly. However, working tests are a great way of meeting like-minded people. Let’s face it, most gundogs only work in the shooting field for around four months a year and therefore, if you are of a competitive nature, it can add purpose to your training. There are plenty of training exercises you can do to increase your chance of success but let’s first look at some of the issues that can cause matters to go awry.

Your dog must have a strong desire to retrieve canvas dummies. All working tests will have an element of retrieving and it is a fact that some gundogs that have been working in the field and retrieving game can go off dummies altogether.

Most tests are held in the spring and summer and if you have a spaniel it will need to have the ability to hunt hard, even when there is very little, if any scent on the ground. Some cocker spaniels won’t really get going unless they think there is something for them to find and can get quite sticky if there is nothing to stimulate them.

Be mindful that the pressure of competition can affect both the dog and handler. Calm handling and consistent commands are vital if you want to come home with an award. Too much whistle or too many verbal commands will see you being marked down by judges, no matter how well your dog runs.

Lack of preparation is a prime cause of failure. Before entering your dog in a working test, go along and watch a few so you can get an idea of whether you and your dog are up to the task. This will also give you an idea of the kind of exercises that you will need to train for. Also read the Kennel Club rules on working tests, which can be found on its website.

EXPERT advice: from SG’S gundog guru Graham Watkins “it is a tremendous way to meet like-minded people and can add purpose to your training”

1Retrieving based tests will involve the dogs making a series of both seen and blind retrieves over varying terrain and obstacles. HPR tests tend to be a mixture of both hunting and retrieving. I would suggest that one of the most useful skills that you can teach a dog you want to use in working tests is to “mark” a thrown dummy. This will enable the dog to get out to the retrieve in a quick and efficient manner with a minimum of handling.