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Gun Dog Workshops

For gun dog breeds, whether working or simply a canine companion looking for a different type of training! 
 

Learn how to harness your dog's natural instincts and build on those foundations and delve into basic hunting techniques, recall on a whistle, stay, steadiness and so much more! 

Led and taught by a very special guest to APDS, world renowned trainer, Helen Phillips 

What's included in gun dog workshops

  1. Gun Dog training covered across a series of three days (Sat 23rd March, Sat 27th April and Sat 11th May 2024) taught by the talented Helen Phillips - one of the UK's top gun dog trainers who uses only reward-based training techniques​ 
     

  2. Learn how to harness your dog's natural instincts and build on those foundations, forming a great partnership
     

  3. Start building a level of control that exceeds the excitement of the "hunt" 

     

  4. ​Learn how to build high value rewards through play, recall on a whistle, stay, steadiness, introduction to a place board, go to target, basic retrieval patterns with cues, basic hunting techniques and heel work
     

  5. Free membership to our exclusive Facebook community group for ongoing advice and support 

     

About the trainer - Helen Phillips

  • Helen is the owner of the Clicker Gundog Training Centre and together, along with her husband, she manages a small shoot at the training centre solely for training purposes
     

  • Passionate about promoting the use of non-coercive, positive reinforcement training techniques and strategies within her gun dog training, Helen's approach fits the APDS ethos perfectly 
     

  • Working with dogs in the field for over 30 years and breeding Hungarian Vizslas since 1998, Helen has a wealth of experience in living and working with hunting dogs
     

  • Having owned many breeds from crosses and Spaniels to HRPs (Hunt, Point & Retriever), Helen currently owns 2 Vizlas named Jack and Dibble and a Springer Spaniel named Wren. All the dogs work in various roles on the shoot, from beating, pick up and partnering on the peg
     

  • Over the last 10 years, Helen has taught a Canine Training & Behaviour course at Warwickshire College. Together with Kay Laurence, she was also a business partner for Learning About Dogs.
     

  • Helen holds a distinction in Canine Training & Behaviour, the KC Working Gundog Certification on Dummies & Game, City & Guild Level 5 Teaching qualification, the Learning About Dogs Clicker Trainer's Competency Assessment Programme up to level 3 (as well as being an active assessor for the scheme) 
     

  • Helen trained with Kay Laurence for many years, taught a variety of Clicker Training workshops and now teaches several Clicker Training and gun dog courses around the world, as well as at her own UK training facility

Image by Nathalie SPEHNER

What else do I need to know?

  • Three days of workshops will run on Sat 23rd March, Sat 27th April and Sat 11th May 2024
     

  • Cost to participate is £325 for all 3 workshop days 
     

  • Spectator spots are available at £120 for all 3 workshop days (or £40 per workshop) 
     

  • Each day runs from 10am - 3pm 
     

  • Aimed at gun dog or a gun dog cross dog breeds; both working dogs and pet dogs
     

  • The workshops will be run by an external trainer, Helen Phillips, with a limited number of 10 spaces
     

  • Check out our T&Cs here for our cancellation policy
     

Where does it take place?

At APDS Training & Behaviour Centre, near Leominster & Hereford

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