Pam Linsdell English Springer Spaniel Henry
Hathern, Leicestershire
Henry is a 2 year old English Springer Spaniel who likes to hunt. Unfortunately, as a puppy, I gave him too much freedom and he became over confident. By the time he was 15 months old his hunting desires became evident and I realised I needed help. I found it difficult to find appropriate help and resorted to sending him off to Wales on a residential course that covered basic obedience with some input tailored towards his needs as a working dog. The training he received was okay but I struggled when I brought him home. My training had been minimal and it was evident all his problems had not been addressed. I was able to keep in contact by phone but I found this ineffective. I struggled with heelwork and I had no control in relation to his desire to hunt.
In desperation, I searched the internet and found The Gun Dog Club. They put me in contact with Stewart North and since April, everything has changed. We have been having 1-1 sessions and have enrolled on grade work. Stewart has patiently worked with us and has shown me what a good dog I have. Henry is achieving things of which I did not think he was capable. Following our first session heelwork greatly improved and the check chain, I came home from WaIes with has been replaced with a slip lead and never used again. With Stewart’s guidance, I am learning how to manage my hunting friend. I am gaining in confidence and the relationship between Henry and me has definitely improved. We got through grade one with distinction and are about to start grade two.
My experience of sending Henry away has taught me that training is not just for the dog but also for the handler. Furthermore, the quality of training in relation to the handler is important. The Wales experience although okay for Henry was not effective for me. The advantage of meeting Stewart is that he is not only an excellent dog trainer, but that he is also good at training the handler.
There is still a lot of work ahead and it is not always easy, but I have every confidence that Stewart will sort Henry and me out. The only regret I have is that we did not meet sooner.