LWDG II Week No.36 – Realities of Gundog Training

Hello Everyone!

I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying time with your dogs as summer ends, but maybe you haven’t been, and that’s what I want to talk about today.

We often see on social media, things like “you need to love training your gundog” or “train what you love.” Now, while this sounds nice, it can also make us feel so blinking pressured!

Let’s be totally honest with each other; it’s not always easy to love every part of training!

On cold, rainy mornings when everything is going wrong. I often think, “Why am I even doing this?” So much so that I’ve dedicated a whole chapter to this topic in The Thoughtful Dog Trainer!

I’ve realised that it’s actually totally okay NOT to enjoy every single fruastrating moment. So, let’s talk about the ups and downs of training, including the parts that aren’t as fun….

LEARN

Right, let’s be straight up here. No one enjoys every part of anything, and training is no different.

It’s SO normal to have days when training feels more like work than fun. Think of it this way: if you enjoy about 80% of what you’re doing, you’re doing great! But what about the other 20%?

Well, thats the tough stuff. It’s like the dentist, it has to be done regardless of how you feel about it. Instead of trying to get everything right, just focus on taking small steps forward. Stuff like heelwork, recall, showboating, going self-employed, it’s stuff loads of our dogs do, lots of the time!

So, what’s the solution? It’s a simple one: Ask yourself each day, “What can I do today to make progress, even if it’s just a little bit?”

This question can help you keep sane and keep you going, no matter how small the steps are. You will stop feeling like you are losing and start seeing what you are both learning.

WIN

We all face challenges in training, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. My tip? REALLY keep things simple and take it one step at a time.

Break tasks into smaller bits, and celebrate the little wins. For example, if you’re working on recall, start with short distances and slowly increase them as your dog improves. The 3D’s we train are there exactly for this reason.

A trick that works for me is setting a timer for just 10 minutes—train with focus for those 10 minutes, then reward both you and your dog with a fun activity. This keeps things light and helps make the tough parts of training easier to handle because you are not facing hours of it all going to crap and instead really making progress.

DISCOVER

Speaking of making things easier, I recently shared on Instagram some great car storage solutions my husband found, and the feedback was amazing!

Whether it’s the little things like hanging your coat behind the car seat with handy coat hooks, using waterproof stackable boxes to keep your dummies and gear organised, or door storage organisers for van doors, these tools make a huge difference.

Keeping your training gear neat and accessible can take some of the stress out of those tougher training days. A well-organised space means less time hunting for what you need and more time focusing on your training.

If you’re interested, here are some links to the products I shared, he found them all on Amazon!

Car Seat Hooks

Drinks Holders (ooh these were cool too – you can add cup holders to the back of the car to hold your drink save the numpties knocking them over!)

Storage Boxes

Door Organisers

GROW

If you’re looking for more tips and motivation, check out the podcast episode “Why Mindset Matters When Gundog Training” .

It’s full of helpful advice on how to keep a positive mindset, even when things aren’t going smoothly. The episode is great for those days when you need a little extra push to stay on track with training.

As we wrap up this week’s newsletter, remember that it’s perfectly fine not to love every part of your training journey. What matters most is your dedication to your dog and your willingness to keep going, even when it’s tough.

Next time you feel stuck, remember ask yourself, “What can I do today to make progress, even if it’s just a little bit?” You’re doing great, and remember, we’re all in this together!

Keep going strong!

Much Love

Jo xx

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