"Honey, I've broken the dog"
We spend an awful lot of time and money on our dogs, yet us first-time dog owners seem determined to undermine all of that by being... impatient.
Ben Cooper
Tales of my journey from 'Townie', to lover of shooting, gundogs, horses and the country way of life.
Long Live The Humble Syndicate...
You’ve got your license, your dog isn’t gun shy and has had her first day out stood well behind the gun line. What’s next? Well for us, it was to join a nearby syndicate to get us both properly introduced to the world of shooting. Here’s how it went…
“It’s the little dog’s first day out…”
It's what you've worked towards for many, many months, even years. That doesn't stop, however, the intense nerves and apprehension. Here is my recollection of our first shoot day as it unfolded.
"So... erm... do you work your dogs?"
You've invested a lot of time and money in your gundog training, but when you don't have a little black book of existing contacts to call upon, how do you secure your first day in the field?
"So, what do you want to do with her?"
A beginners guide to navigating your first year of both gundog ownership, and training, all building towards your first day in the field.
"How are your dogs so well behaved?"
The first instalment in a series of blogs, detailing my journey from former rugby player and self-confessed 'Townie', to lover of countrysports, gundogs and shooting.