Are you feeling stuck in your gundog training, wondering if you’re on the right track? Does it seem like everyone else’s dog is progressing faster than yours? If you’re asking, “How long will it take to train my gundog?”—you’re not alone. In this post, we’re breaking down the reality of training timelines, common mistakes, and the best approach to setting realistic expectations.
The Myth of a Fixed Training Timeline
Many new gundog owners enter training with the idea that their dog should reach certain milestones within a set period—three months, six months, a year. But training doesn’t work like that.
As LWDG group expert Claire Denyer explains, social media and the internet can give unrealistic expectations of how quickly a gundog should be trained. Videos of young dogs performing advanced skills don’t show the full picture—how long those behaviours took to build or the foundation work that came first.
Every dog is different, and training must be adapted to the individual dog in front of you. Life, work, and unforeseen events (like injuries) can also affect training progress, meaning no single timeline fits all.
The Consequences of Rushing Training
If you try to rush through training without solidifying foundational skills, problems will appear down the line.
Claire shares an example of working with dogs that have impressive advanced skills but struggle with foundational ones like steadiness or recall. This leads to inconsistent results, frustration, and setbacks. Without a solid foundation, cracks will eventually appear, causing long-term training issues.
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A Structured Approach: Training in Levels
At LWDG, we train members using a structured progression:
- Foundation Level: Basic obedience, self-control, and key gundog skills.
- Novice Level: Building on the basics with greater consistency and reliability.
- Intermediate Level: Expanding skills into more complex tasks and environments.
- Advanced Level: Fine-tuning for real-world scenarios, working tests, or fieldwork.
Joanne Perrott points out that many owners try to push forward too quickly, focusing on what their dog excels at while neglecting weaker areas. This can result in imbalanced training, where the dog seems advanced in one aspect but struggles in another, leading to future problems.
Factors That Influence Training Speed
Several factors affect how quickly your gundog progresses:
- Breed Traits – Some breeds mature faster than others. HPR breeds, for example, often take longer to develop compared to Labradors or Spaniels. Understanding your dog’s breed characteristics can help set realistic expectations.
- Owner’s Dedication – The amount of time and consistency you put into training has a huge impact. Daily short sessions will yield better results than sporadic, unfocused training.
- Living Conditions – A dog’s home environment influences training. For example, a kennel-trained dog may have different behavioural tendencies compared to one raised in a busy household.
- Consistency and Clarity – Inconsistencies in training create confusion. If rules change based on mood or convenience, the dog won’t understand what’s expected.
- Exposure and Socialisation – A dog’s experience in different environments helps solidify training. Carefully managed exposure to real-life situations ensures long-term steadiness and confidence.
Will My Gundog Training Ever Be Finished?
The short answer? No. Training is a lifelong journey. Even experienced gundogs benefit from regular maintenance training to reinforce good habits. Just like athletes continue training even after mastering their sport, a well-trained gundog still needs ongoing reinforcement.
As Claire points out, neglecting training between seasons often results in dogs “going rogue” in their second season because they haven’t maintained their skills. Regular, consistent practice prevents regression and keeps performance sharp.
The Takeaway
There is no fixed timeline for training your gundog—only progress at a pace that suits you and your dog. Rather than comparing your journey to others, focus on building solid foundations and maintaining consistency.
If you’re looking for expert guidance and a supportive community to keep you on track, join us at the Ladies Working Dog Group. Our structured training, expert advice, and encouragement will help you navigate your gundog training journey with confidence.
Remember, no woman should have to train her gundog alone!
What’s Your Gundog Goddess Style?
Who’s ready for some extra fun? Discover your unique approach to training with our “Which Gundog Goddess Are You?” quiz. You don’t want to miss this one