It seems that we all agree that Lindsey's trainer may not be the best for Ghillie, a reader of the blog writes:
Hi Ali, I hope you don't mind me emailing you but I got so incensed after reading the comments about the gundog trainer I just had to....
Choke chains - I have one in my house, but only to show people the correct way to put it onto a dog if they feel the need to use one. I don't use one myself, but know that some people are still in the dark ages about them. It's amazing the number of people who don't realise what the wrong way feels like, until I put it over their wrists! To hear that a gundog trainer recommends them makes my skin crawl.
No free running for weeks - how on earth is the pup going to learn recall? The best way is to teach them from the first time they go outside, and to continue training all the time, that mum or dad is the safest place to go. They do as they are told, or they are in trouble! My Seska was the worlds worst at recall. She has been on the dual carriageway at least once to my knowledge in the past. A long lead. or lunge rein, taught her that she could still run at a distance, but had to come back for immediate recall (and treats!) I strongly believe that had I not given her free running I would not be able to run her loose now.
Personally I would change my trainer, and hope that the poor pup doesn't have serious problems because of this old fashioned way of training. I have actually been told off by a gundog trainer at the GSP Club of Scotland training classes because I don't let mine run far enough out. I keep them too close. All because I live right beside a dual carriageway.
Like I said, I hope you don't mind me putting my tuppence worth in, but hope it gives someone pause for thought.
Thank you so much for your tuppence, it's worth a lot more than that. I didn't cover the free running aspect but I do agree, my babies are off the lead all the time, but they stick close, keep a dog on a lead till he is older then the minute he gets the freedom he will be off!! I think you have put the above very succinctly, ( I tend to waffle on!!) and yes choke chains god forbid. Like you said put it on the wrong way and god does it do some damage.
