Lots of people get home with their new gun dog puppy and start training them for their new life outdoors. Training your pup control and obedience is important, but a third topic is sometimes overlooked… Socialiatation.
What Is Socialisation?
Socialisation is where an owner looks for new learning experiences for their puppy (or older dog if they have not been correctly socialised). It’s about you ensuring that your dog has a chance to build positive memories in lots of different environments. As their memory bank of experiences builds, they learn to feel safe and secure in lots of new environments. A pup’s socialisation in this window of time determines how they will respond as an adult.
The Socialisation Window
Teaching a dog to cope well with new experiences should normally be done in the first 12 to 18 weeks of its life. This is known as a pup’s critical socialisation window. It’s the time that the pup can easily build positive responses to lots of different objects, people and situations.
Pups that are not socialised tend to show undesirable behaviours towards situations that frighten or upset them. During this time, it’s important that the pup builds positive memories that they use to determine their decision-making process as they grow.
Things To Keep In Mind When Socialising Your Pup
Positive experiences are key. Be calm with your pup and allow them to explore and become comfortable in the new situation. If you try to rush your pup it will have the opposite effect and actually cause problems. Be patient, use treats and encourage your puppy to be brave. Make sure you approach the new experience slowly, and do not expect your pup to be fine after just one socialisation event.
Members can use our FREE SOCIALISATION CHECKLISTto think about the different objects and environments your pup needs socialisation too. Please also download our free Daily Log to record what socialisation situations you have been working on.
The more positive socialisation you do with your pup, the better your dog will respond to daily life.
Our checklist has been separated into five different categories:
People
Animals
Noises
Environments
Objects
In each category, we have added a number of experience opportunities. Also, make sure you are frequently handling your pup. We haven’t listed handling experiences as this should be taking place with your daily grooming and health checks.
Try to make sure your pup frequently gets to experience these socialisation opportunities more than once; the more, the better. Encourage your pup to become calm and confident around as many of those experiences on the checklist as possible.
My older dog was not socialised correctly. What should I do?
Dogs that have been under-socialised tend to show socialisation problems. This can be displayed as anxiety, anger, nervousness or any other negative behaviour or emotion.
Depending on your dog’s behaviour, you may be able to gently encourage your dog into new experiences with lots of praise, treats and distractions until the dog relaxes.
For most dogs, this will take a large number of socialisation opportunities and may never be corrected. If you are unsure of how to carry out a socialisation process correctly, contact a trainer or dog behaviourist who can provide testimonials of working with nervous dogs.
Check out our Masterclass on Working With Sensitive Dogs as a starting point.
With this bank holiday being so beautifully warm, we thought we would share with you some top tips to keep your working dogs cool.
Our four-legged friends can find this weather tough. Some dogs are still shedding what’s left of their winter coats, and the weather is unusually hot. Here’s what we can do to help.
Our Top Tips
Access To Drinking Water
When temperatures rise, so does thirst. Put out extra water and add a few ice cubes to keep it cool.
Water When Walking
On a hot day, your dog will appreciate access to water when walking. Offer small sips frequently to keep them hydrated. We use a dish that collapses and we carry enough water for us and our best buddies.
Keep Training Times To Early Morning Or Evening
Training when the weather is hot can be hard work for you and your dog. The heat feels uncomfortable but also affects scent. Remember that you’re probably not going to get a productive session from a dog who just wants to lay in the shade. If you must train do some water-based training activities and keep the session short.
Give Your Dog A Paddling Pool
Working Dogs usually love water so access to a shallow water source to lie in will be greeted with doggy joy. A small baby paddling pool or an old baby bath with a few inches will be enough for them to cool down in the garden or the kennel will offer great relief when they feel too warm.
Give Water Hidden in Treats
Dogs love to munch on fruits and veg. The great thing is they have water content too. Here’s a link to A LIST OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES you can give to your dog whatever the weather.
Make Sure Your Dog Has Shade
Just like you, your dog likes to lounge in a shady spot. Allow them to find a place that’s comfortable and leave them to rest. Make sure adults and children leave them alone to cool down. Sunglasses are optional 🙂
How To Tell If Your Got Has Heatstroke or Dehydration
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from heatstroke and dehydration too. Keep an eye out for the following indicators and if in doubt seek veterinary advice.
Below is an extensive link of symptoms as outlined by the vet authored and approved Pet MD.
‘The most common symptom of dehydration is the loss of elasticity in the skin. When pulled lightly, the skin will not readily come back to its original place. Another alarming symptom is xerostomia, in which the gums lose moistness and become dry and sticky, and the saliva becomes thick. In advanced dehydration, the eyes sink in and the dog may collapse with shock’
Symptom Checker
An online tool that can help you to check out your dog’s symptoms is the PETMD SYMPTOM CHECKER.
Whilst this is a great tool, if you are concerned about your dog please seek the advice of your vet.
With so much chatter about how to use a place board in working dog training, I thought I would show you how we made ours!
What You Will Need To Build Your Place Board:
An 8ft length of 3inch x 2 inch timber. We asked the local merchant to cut the lengths to the sizes we needed.
A ply top for the place board which we again had cut for us 24 inch long by 15 inch wide.
A piece of astroturf (or other artificial turf) 26 inches long by 18 inches wide slightly larger than the top so we could wrap sides.
8 screws of 4.5 inch length
10 screws of 2.5 inch length
Staple gun or glue
Assembly Of Your Place Board
Assembly was really quick and simple. Lay the wood frame out with long lengths on the outside of the shorter lengths. The board will sit at 3 inches high.
Screw the four pieces together to create a frame. When you purchase 3 x 2 inch timber, it is never actually that exact size width. Ours was actually 1.75 inches hence the 11.5 inches shorter lengths butting up to the 2 sides to make a total 15 inches depth (this will make more sense when you make it)
Once you have created your place board frame, add the ply top to the frame. Use four screws along each of the long sides and 2 in the middle of the shorter lengths.
Glue or staple the astroturf securely to the top. We used a mixture of both to ensure the dogs couldn’t get hurt by the turf slipping.
And it’s as easy as that! Each one we made looked more professional as we tweaked the design. Don’t forget to head over to our MASTERCLASS SECTION to watch our brilliant video on effectively using your place board.
Make sure to send us your pics of your place boards, and we will add them to this post!
SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR FREE PDF PLACEBOARD INSTRUCTIONS
We have made a FREE Place Board Instruction Street. Instant access here, plus we will send you a copy via email for safekeeping.
Lead Magnet Placeboard Form
Design Updates:
Some of our followers have sent us some great ideas to improve on our design.
Peter sent us these via email along with pics with his DIY place boards and we HAD to share.
Placeboard Design Update
I have attached some photographs to illustrate the main features.
Firstly I decided that since the boards will only be supporting the weight of a dog, the construction could in fact be much lighter.
I opted for the main frame to be made from 47mm x 22mm rough sawn treated timber, instead of the (nominally) 3 x 2. which is suggested.
This represents a weight reduction in the order 70%, so is much lighter to carry.
Another advantage is that much smaller screws can be used for assembly of the frame, for which I used 4 x 50 mm, together with 3.5 x 30 mm for fixing the top board.
Both of these features of course also reflect cost savings.
You will also see that I have added a rope handle to the boards for ease of carrying. This is 10 mm diameter, threaded through a 12 mm diameter hole and stapled to the inside of the frame.
I trust you will find these comments useful and they come with my best wishes to you and the team.
Best regards,
Peter
The LWDG is all about collaboration and community and his ideas are absolutely fabulous! Thanks Peter 🙂
Before this weekend I had never been to the GAME FAIR. I’ve been to many country shows (as a horse mad teenager I made my parents drive my horse and I to so many!) but I had no idea what to expect. I knew there would be dogs, and guns, and mud (what’s a country event without it!), but there was so much more to do than I imagined!
History of The Game Fair
The first Game Fair was held in 1958.
This incredible video let’s you see what the game fair looked like back then, it’s also a beautiful captured moment of the history of the British countryside , and our sporting traditions.
Today the Game Fair offers so much more but I believe its around the same very idea of the initial one.
The Game Fair Today
We arrived on Friday. With a 13-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl in tow. All we hoped for was that there would be good weather and enough to keep us all occupied for the 72 hours.
Parking was simple and I was impressed with how well organised everything was. We rode the tractor taxi to the entrance, which the littlest one loved!
Both my husband and I am BASC MEMBERS, so it made sense, and saved money on tickets, to sign up the young ones too. It also gave us the advantage of using the BASC entrance. There were no large queues all weekend which again impressed me. There are three main entrances into the fair, each day we used the Purple one, so I can’t comment on the other two, but the one we used was great all weekend.
Finding Your Way About The Game Fair
Once inside, we decided to do a large orientation walk first. This is the joys of having an outdoor instructor as a husband, lol!
The Game Fair has different areas, theatres and rings, with so much going on that there’s loads to choose from. In each area we visited there was places to eat and drink, toilets that worked quite well all weekend, and lots of retailers selling an incredible range of products for country lovers.
This is the super fast run down – We started at the kid zone, through the falconry village, around the gun dog section, through the vast retail village, into the gamekeeper and shooting section, on through the BASC section with Kitchen Theatre, swiftly through fishing (no fishermen in our family), past the horses and hounds, on to the main arena, passed the Game Fair Pavilion and Carter Jonas theatre, crept through the Totally Food area which was amazing, passed the craft village, and ended up nearly back at our start by the Game Fair Gardens!
Our First Ever LWDG Meet Up was held at In The Country
What To Do At The Game Fair
There was so much! Honestly I don’t think you can see everything in a whole day. We spent three days there and only got a glimpse of what it was offering. But we loved every second. The kids were kept entertained. A trip to FAIRFAX AND FAVOR with their Magician had Meg enthralled whilst I tried on boots. And the amazing team on the SKINNERS stand provided us with an amazing lunch on Sunday including a very yummy dog paw shortbread!
There were lots of people offering samples and information but none were pushy, its all really friendly with a great atmosphere. I loved the fact that there was so much entertainment. Some shows have become very much open-air markets with little in the way of a show, but the Game Fair had so much going on!
LWDG Meet-Ups
Each day I was honoured to meet lots of our LWDG Members. I had the privilege of sharing time on some beautiful stands with owners who were incredibly welcoming to us, handing out drinks and taking time to chat to everyone.
Friday we had an incredible hour with Hollie at IN THE COUNTRY, Saturday we were with Sorrel and Cathryn in ON THE PEG, and we finished Sunday with Emma of EMMA BROWN TWEED, and Claire from PURDEY & SLOANE. Below are photos of some of the lovely ladies, gents and doggies I got to spend time with.
We cannot thank these companies enough for hosting us, so please go over their websites and see what they have to offer. Without them, we couldn’t have chatted to as many of you as we did. We are truly grateful. Whilst we were with them, we got to see first-hand their gorgeous products!
Sadly, we aren’t all natural dog whisperers. The occasional 20 minutes in the garden isn’t going to crack it, so in order to be the best dog trainer you can be, it helps us to have some tips in place to help us reach our potential.
Here are 14 tips to help you improve your dog training over the next 14 days.
Work on 1 each day to help you see positive results in the next two weeks and longer…
1. Start Fresh On Monday
We have been conditioned all our lives to set a start date to our new commitment. So this coming Monday, set the date as your time to get serious.
2. Write Out Your Reasons Why
Be clear in your mind why you want to train a working dog. It’s a long commitment, and you will need to have goals that keep you working towards it. Write them down somewhere so you can refer back to them when you feel like giving up.
3. Visualise The End Result
Close your eyes for a moment and picture yourself working your dog beautifully. Can you do it? Can you imagine how that looks? And feels? Spend some time thinking about it daily. Your mind can achieve your goals if you are clear on how they look so visualise them.
4. Plan Your Sessions
Putting on your training vest and heading out can end in disaster if you are not clear about what you’re going out to train. Your dog can sense your confusion and it’s going to be hard for them to deliver results if you’re not being clear to your dog about what you want from them. Before you step out, take a moment to write out what you want to achieve. You can do this on a scrap of paper, on your phone, or in our MAGIC MONTH DOG TRAINING PLANNER AND JOURNAL.
5. Combine Fun Skills With The Not So Fun
OK, so no one loves heel work or 3-minute sit and stays. But steadiness and obedience are the foundation of a great working dog. Make sure you set time regularly to train these tasks. Mix them in between retrieves and hunting to teach your dog to ‘switch gears’, to be able to go from racing around the field, to calmly waiting by your side.
6. Set A Timer For Your Training
When the training is going well, it’s all too easy to keep out and keep at it. And our dogs seem to have unlimited physical energy. But a working dog can become mentally exhausted just like us. Set a timer for your training session and stick to it.
7. Reward Yourself
We reward our dogs for a job well done. Whether that’s from a smile, a touch, or food, we praise them. But what about ourselves? We very rarely treat ourselves for doing a good job with our dogs, generally in life. Learn to acknowledge and reward your own successes.
8. Train With A Friend
Training alone can be boring. Plus we sometimes cannot see where we can improve, and a fresh set of eyes might notice things we are doing that could be improved. Plus being out with someone else gives your dog a chance to improve important steadiness skills as they wait patiently for their turn.
9. Reflect On Your Training Session
Your training session isn’t over until you have spent a little time going over what can be learnt from it. Ask yourself three quick questions – What do I need to start doing? What should I start doing? And lastly, what can I continue doing? A great trainer always learns from their training. If you are not sure how to reflect, there’s A FREE GREAT MASTERCLASS AVAILABLE.
10. Take Human Snacks
Working Dog Training can be tiring for both your body and your mind. When our glucose level drops, we can be delayed in our responses, generally tired and possibly a little ‘hangry’. Take some healthy human snacks that can boost your sugar level to keep you going.
11. Keep Visual Reminders
In your dog training vest, on your phone, in your car, and around your home, keep little notes to remind you you can succeed. Every day the LWDG post a quote on our Instagram Pager and Our Facebook Page to keep us all going. Notes and images of success can build our resolve to succeed too.
12. Don’t Train In Pain
There is no point going out to train your dog when you’re emotionally or physically drained. If you’re tired, stressed or upset, take your dog for a gentle stroll to clear your mind if you must, but don’t try to use the time for training. Your dog can sense your upset, you will be distracted, and no good can come from those states of mind.
13. Believe In Yourself
There is an old Latin motto: “Possunt quia posse videntur.” They can, because they think they can.
And the same is true if you think you can’t. Make sure to work on your mindset. You have to believe you can in order to succeed.
14. Surround Yourself With Other Positive Dog People
When you have others around you encouraging you, it’s so much more fun to work on your dog training. You may not be able to get together with people to train locally, but you can share all your experiences in THE LWDG COMMUNITY. Our Ladies are some of the most positive people you can find with working dogs so come hang out there. We are all learning together.
How many times have you been photographing your gundog, only to end up with bums and blurs? As any pet gundog owner knows, dogs are notoriously difficult to photograph. They never seem to sit still long enough for a clear picture, and even when they do, their excitement often results in a blurry image. While it’s true that working dogs can be notoriously difficult to photograph, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of getting a great shot. With a little patience and practice, you’ll be able to capture those special moments with your furry friend.
Here are 10 quick tips to help you:
1) Get to know the dog’s personality before you start.
Dogs are individuals, just like people, and each one has its own unique personality. Some gundogs are shy and skittish, while others are outgoing and friendly. Some might be cooperative when it comes to having their picture taken, while others might be resistant. The key to getting a great photo of your dog is to take the time to get to know its personality. Once you understand your gundog’s quirks and behaviours, you’ll be able to capture its true essence in a photograph. If you try to force your dog into poses or situations that it’s not comfortable with, you’re likely to end up with a blurry, unappealing photo. So take your time, get to know your dog, and let its personality shine through in your photos.
2) Have treats on hand and objects to throw or get the dog’s attention.
Take their favourite toy, or if they like variation, take a new toy. How can you get them to look in the direction you want? Getting your dog to look in the desired direction can be tricky, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success. First, make sure you have their favourite treat on hand. Dogs are highly motivated by food, so holding a treat in front of their nose should get their attention. If that doesn’t work, try throwing a toy or another object in the direction you want them to look. The movement will likely catch their eye and cause them to turn their head.
3) Shoot photos from your dog’s level.
When it comes to photographing dogs, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to get down to their level. Shooting from above can make the dog look small and insignificant while getting down on their level helps to capture their personality and spirit. by getting down to their level, it’s possible to take shots that are both flattering and expressive. One way to do this is to use a garden pad or other type of kneeler. This will not only help you to avoid getting dirty, but it will also allow you to get closer to your subject. With your camera at eye level, you’ll be able to capture your dog’s unique features, and you may even be able to get some great candid shots. So next time you’re trying to take the perfect picture of your pooch, remember to think like a dog and get down on their level.
4) Focus on the eyes to create emotional dog photography
Eyes are said to be the windows to their soul, and that’s especially true when it comes to gundog photography. When you’re taking a close up photo of your furry friend, it’s important to focus on their eyes in order to capture their personality and create an emotional connection with the viewer. Working Dogs are very expressive creatures, and by focusing on their eyes, you’ll be able to capture a wide range of emotions, from happiness and excitement to sadness and confusion. In addition, the eyes are one of the most important features of a dog’s face, so making sure they’re in focus will help to create a more pleasing composition. So next time you’re snapping some photos of your pup, remember to keep their eyes in focus and let their personality shine through.
5) Backgrounds, fields, flowers, grassy areas, and woods, create a classic portrait
When it comes to photographing gundogs, classic portrait backgrounds are often the best choice. This is because they tend to be uncluttered and have similar tones that allow your dog to stand out. Backgrounds such as fields, flowers, grassy areas, and woods can all create a beautiful portrait, and each one has its own unique charm. For example, a field may provide a sense of freedom and space, while a wooded area can add a touch of mystery. Ultimately, it’s up to you to choose the background that best suits your dog’s personality and the mood you’re trying to capture. With so many great options available, there’s no need to settle for anything less than perfect.
6) Capture owner/pet relationship
Any pet owner knows that the bond between humans and animals can be a special one. Pets offer us companionship, unconditional love, and hours of amusement, and in return, we provide them with food, shelter, and medical care. Capturing this unique relationship in photographs can be a challenge, but it’s well worth the effort. After all, these are the images that we’ll cherish for a lifetime. Ask a friend to come with you, set your camera up to take a shot automatically after a time period, or by using a cheap remote clicker from a distance. You can read more about them here.
7)Think About Lighting, Use The ‘Golden Hour’ Lighting
As any photographer knows, lighting is one of the most important factors in taking a good picture. The quality of light can make or break a photo, and the best light often occurs during the golden hour – the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset. This is when the light is soft and warm, providing a stunning backdrop for your subject. If you’re looking to take some amazing shots of your dog, take advantage of the golden hour light. Position your dog in an open area with plenty of natural light, and let the magic happen. You’ll be amazed at the results.
8) Blur the background
One way to make your gundog the focus of a photo is to blur the background. Most digital photo software now has this capability, and it’s relatively easy to do. Simply select the “blur” tool and adjust the strength of the effect until you’re happy with the results. The blurred background will cause the viewer’s eye to be drawn to your dog, making it the focal point of the image. So if you want to make sure that your beloved pet is the star of the show, then don’t forget to blur the background.
9)Minimise Movement
Capturing a great photo of your dog can be difficult, especially if they are always on the move. One way to get a clear and sharp image is to minimise movement. This means keeping your dog still before taking the photo. You can do this by asking them to sit or lie down, or by using a leash to keep them in place. If you have a particularly active dog, you may need to get creative, such as using treats or toys to keep their attention. By minimising movement, you’ll be able to take a great photo that captures your dog’s personality without any unwanted blur.
10) Take time to just sit back and watch the actions of the dog, when the movement is right you will see it and then click!
When it comes to photography, timing is everything. This is especially true when trying to capture the perfect shot of a moving subject. Dogs are notoriously difficult to photograph, as they are constantly in motion. However, by taking the time to simply sit back and watch their actions, it is possible to anticipate the right moment to take the photo. More often than not, the best shots occur when the dog is in mid-movement. By paying close attention, it is possible to capture these fleeting moments of perfection. With a little patience and practice, anyone can learn to take stunning photos of even the most active dogs.
First of all, I’d like to start off by clarifying one thing; I am in no way an expert on feeding your dog. The expert on feeding YOUR dog is in fact you.
Nobody will understand your dog better than you will – seriously, not even your vet. You know the difference between your dog having an off day or there being something wrong. Only you can tell the difference between them being needy and them having a problem. You track how your dog’s food intake affects them.
Dudley
Dudley’s Surgery
I launched RACHAEL’S DOG PANTRY in August 2018 following a stomach issue with one of my dogs.
At 6 months old, Dudley, my Clumber Spaniel had surgery on his small and large intestine to correct an intussusception (one part slid into another and caused a blockage). The surgery went really well, but for 2 months following his surgery, he was on special food from the vets. I was told it would give him the extra nutrients he needed for a speedy recovery while being gentle on his stomach. Of course, we said yes and bought a caseload, it was eye wateringly expensive, as in twice the weekly cost of food for my fiancé and me!
A short while later, Dudley was back to his normal self, we were coming to the end of his treatment and we needed to phase him back onto normal food. Before his surgery he’d always been on dry food, we liked things how they were and wanted to continue. The only difference was now I was very concerned about what was actually in it. So I began researching on google to find support on what was best to feed him. I was met with so many opinions and so much information. I decided to start my own food company to help others who were facing the same challenges.
My 5 Top Tips When Feeding Your Dog
Tip 1
First and most importantly, what are you comfortable with handling? This is a big one that a lot of people forget. If the smell of fish turns your stomach, or the sight of raw meat makes you want to stick your head in the toilet, avoid them. While you aren’t eating it, you will have to prepare it daily. Find food you are happy working with.
Tip 2
Secondly, ask around. You ask for opinions from your nearest and dearest in all walks of life, so add this one to the pile. The more people you ask the more you can find out. Bear in mind a St. Bernard owner will have a different view on what a dog will need than a pug owner. Ask in Facebook groups and forums, but keep in mind lots of people have different views.
Tip 3
Next up is money. What can you afford? Set a budget and stick to it. It would be great if we could afford to give our dogs steak every night, but that might be out of your price range. Work out what you can get for your budget.
Tip 4
Next up, watch their waistline. A dog’s waist should go in between its ribs and hip joint, and you should be able to feel ribs. If in doubt ask your vet. You can find a really handy DOG WEIGHT CALCULATOR HERE
In the summer working dogs may need less food, walks are sometimes shorter, and there are (hopefully) lazy days basking in the sun. In winter the working dog community is in its peak season. Dogs can be burning far more calories and this will need to be accounted for. My advice, is don’t do anything drastic, keep your eye out for any changes in their weight and tweak as needed. Once again, you know your dog better than anyone so trust your instincts.
Tip 5
To summarise, trust your instincts and don’t impulse buy. Know what you’re getting for your money, and choose what to feed on what your dog needs.
Here’s a fantastic recipe for Game Pie with Mustard Mash.
EAT WILD is a campaign by the BRITISH GAME ALLIANCE (BGA), the official marketing board for game. They have kindly sent us this lovely recipe for British Pie Week which is taking place this week from 4th – 10th March.
The BGA’s goal is to bring you a better wild game by demanding quality, introducing welfare and quality regulations and helping shoots to self-regulate. Only produce that meets the board’s high standards receives BGA assurance. By looking out for the BGA stamp, you’ll easily find healthy, delicious, sustainably sourced meat you love to cook, serve, and eat.
Happy #BritishPieWeek to all!
Game Pie with Pommery mustard mash
With the weather as bad as it is right now, you can’t beat a steaming hot game pie with lashings of ale-rich gravy. It’s simpler than you might think to cook your own; we’ve used readymade pastry and pre-prepared confit mallard to make the whole thing even easier.
Serves: 5
Prep time: 1 hour
Cooking time: 1 hour
Equipment needed:
Deep pie dish
3 saucepans
Mixing bowl
2 serving dishes
Gravy boat
Ingredients:
For the pie
2 diced duck breasts
1 tin confit duck leg meat (containing 4 portions)
2 pheasant breasts
2 pigeon breasts
4 white onions
Readymade puff pastry
Chestnut mushrooms
1 tbsp redcurrant jelly
100g plain flour
400ml Game stock
For the mash
1kg red skin potatoes
150ml milk
85g butter
1 tbsp wholegrain or Pommery mustard
Salt to taste
For the tender stem broccoli
500g tender stem broccoli
Vegetable oil to coat
For the ale gravy
1 bottle any good ale
200ml chicken or beef stock
4 tsp gravy granules
Method
Dice all the game but the mallard leg meat into 1-inch cubes.
Coat the meat in seasoned flour and fry off until crisp and fully cooked. Place the meat in a pie dish.
Slice the onions and fry them in a little oil until softened. Add the mushrooms and, when golden brown, tip the mushrooms and onions over the top of the meat.
Heat up the game stock and add a little redcurrant jelly to sweeten before pouring over the pie mix. Leave the pie mix to cool and add the mallard leg meat.
Cover the whole pie dish with the pre-rolled pastry and brush the top with egg yolk.
Bake for 40 minutes in an oven pre-heated to 180 degrees.
While the pie’s in the oven, peel the red skin potatoes and boil until soft, then mash with the butter and milk.
Add 1 tbsp of mustard, or more to taste. Season with salt and white pepper.
To make the gravy, pour the ale into a saucepan on high heat and reduce it by half. Add the 200ml of game stock and thicken with the gravy granules.
Finally, prepare the broccoli. Rub the oil into the broccoli then drop it into a very hot pan. Seat until it begins to wilt and slightly blister.
Serve the pie as a centre piece alongside serving dishes of the mustard mash and broccoli. Finish with a big jug of your ale gravy.
Have you ever wondered how to turn a pheasant’s feathers into something you can keep? Our lovely member Sophie shows us how…..
To Make A Traditional Brooch You Will Need:
A traditional vase-shaped brooch – available through my FACEBOOK PAGE
Glue – here I use Gorilla superglue but any glue will work.
Thread – grey or white.
Feathers.
Scissors.
Step 1
Select your feathers and arrange them in the order you would like to present them in your brooch.
Push them into the brooch to ensure that they will all fit, and don’t forget to leave a bit of wiggle room for the glue!
Step 2
Thin the ‘fluff’ from the lower half of the feather shaft by pinching the top of the feather in one hand and firmly but smoothly pulling down on the fluff from the top to the bottom.
TOP TIP: If you haven’t done this before, please practise on other feathers as it they are delicate and the finer ones often break! Leave the backing feather complete for a nicer finished back. Although you don’t see it, I believe in quality workmanship and it makes a nicer finish!
Step 3
Tie a noose knot around your backing feather about ¾ of the way down the shaft, where the brooch pin would cover.
Then place each feather on top and tie it to the bundle with a simple knot.
Don’t tie them too tightly otherwise the tension in the thread will pull the feathers out of place. You can create simple fans by tightly tying them together and positioning them accordingly. Have a play around!
Once all the feathers are in place, loop the remaining thread around the base of the shafts and tie off to finish, trimming off any excess quills and thread.
Step 4
Place the feather bundle into your holder to ensure you are happy with your design and placement.
Then take them out and place a small amount of glue into the centre of the brooch and firmly press your feather bundle into the holder and position.
There you have it – your finished piece. Good luck and I would love to see your finished items in the comments below or when posting on social media just add the hashtag below.
#Sophiexxxcharlottebroochchallenge
If you like this guide then please do follow me and later on this year I hope to publish a small series of How to’s for other feathered projects.
Thanks! Sophie-Charlotte
LWDG Note – We love this tutorial Sophie! Your explanation and images are amazing! Thank you
Valentines Day is the day of love… and we all love our dogs so much! They may not know what Valentine’s day is all about, but they will no doubt appreciate a special treat.
Nanny Sheldon of Afonfelin Gundogs whipped this cake up two days early so we could share the images and recipes with you in time for the 14th of February.
You’ll Need
For The Cake:
150g Flour
1/2 teaspoon of Baking Powder
75g of Honey
75g Peanut Butter (without artificial sweetener which can be toxic)
1 Egg
125g of Vegetable Oil
150g Shredded Carrot
For The Icing:
125ml of Greek Yoghurt
30g of Peanut Butter
To Make:
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius
In a large bowl mix together the shredded carrot, flour, baking powder
In a separate bowl mix together the honey, peanut butter and vegetable oil. Once mixed, add the egg.
Mix both bowls of ingredients together thoroughly.
Pour the mixture into a greased pan of your choice. We used 2 small oval pans, and a small rectangle to make the cake bone-shaped.
Bake for approx 20-30 minutes depending on the depth of the pan. Ensure cooked throughout before removing.
Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes before removing the pan.
Once cooled, mix icing ingredients together thoroughly and cover the tops of the cakes.
Decorate with additional dog treats should you wish.
Store in refrigerator for no more than 2 days.
Disclaimer: Please ensure your pet has no allergies to ingredients before serving.
You can use any shapes you wish
And decorate as you want
Looks good enough to eat!
Other fantastic Valentines Dog Recipes
These are other amazing ideas we have found on the web!
Choosing a gundog puppy as a future working dog can be difficult
Our lovely members have put together some of their top tips to help you choose the right gundog puppy for you. We have included 6 of these tips below:
Gundog Puppy – Tip Number 1
First of all, I advise people to think about what they really want from their dog, beating, shooting, trialling, pet with children etc. How often you will be able to take out etc and take it from there.
Lesley Y.LWDG Member
Be clear on what you plan to do in the future with your puppy. A working dog can be used for many different purposes, and what you will want the dog to excel at will definitely affect what kind of puppy you end up choosing.
Tip Number 2
I would want to know that all the health checks have been done. (I want to know that everything has been done health-wise that can be)Deborah H.LWDG Member
Different breeds can be subject to different health challenges. You can minimise risks by ensuring your pup comes from health-tested parents.
The Kennel Club have an online BREED INFORMATION CENTRE . This site allows you to search for the breed you are looking at purchasing, and then gives you a list of possible tests and what you should be expecting the breeder to have carried out. A breeder may not have carried out all those listed but should have carried out at a minimum those the Kennel Club strongly advise.
Tip Number 3
Research a reputable breeder and, if needed, wait for a litter. It is far too easy to fall in love with a puppy and let our hearts rule our heads.
Amanda G.LWDG Member
Puppies are so cute! So before you go visit a litter, make time to find a breeder that has a great reputation. Ask others who are knowledgeable about who they would suggest. Check out as much as you can before going to see a litter. If you’re a member of the Ladies Working Dog Group post a question or ask for feedback in the forum on dog breeding to help guide your decision.
Also, speak to the breeder on the phone and ask lots of questions. Trusts your instincts- is their reputation and answers meeting up with the type of pup you’re looking for.
Tip Number 4
Take time to look at the temperament of the parents
Amie M. LWDG Member
Many of our members gave this as one of their top tips.
If possible spend time with both parents. If the breeder does not own the sire it may not be possible. But definitely spend time with mum. Look at her general health and temperament. Are they friendly and do they want to spend time with their owners? Temperament is more than usually passed to parents. It can also guide you to the approximate size of the pup when they are fully grown.
Also, check the temperament of the parents. Working ability and style, hard or soft, biddable or strong-minded parents. I personally prefer a litter in which the breeder is keeping a pup themselves and not just in it for the money. Loved family pets as well as a good working dog.
Billie A.M.LWDG Member
Tip Number 5
When choosing a puppy, go and sit with them all (get any taken out that are already booked) and see which responds to you.
Julia B.M. LWDG Member
In a litter, there can be a few pups that have the potential to do what you want. In this case, listening to your instinct is important. Which pup do you like? There will need to be a lifelong bond between you so spend time with them. A good breeder will not rush you and will encourage you to visit and spend time choosing. They will want you to love the pup you pick.
If you spend your time finding the right breeder they will get to know you and since they spend 8wks with their puppies they can make the right match
Nina F.
LWDG Member
Two Yellow Lab Pups running across field towards camera
Tip Number 6
Take the pup to your own vet and have a checkup, and check the microchip information.
Lorraine B. LWDG Member
Many a heart has been broken by a puppy lost in the first few weeks of ownership. If you’re new to owning dogs it is especially important to ask a professional to check your pup over. Ask them to also check microchip details for accuracy.
In general, a pup should be lively and alert, with a bright eye. The pup should have a clean coat free of any scabs or any type of dandruff. There may be the odd scab as pups can be quite rough when fighting one another, but these should be minimal and not all over the skin.
Allow for some change of behaviour when they come home with you. They are leaving their family for the first time and this can be quite traumatic. Some pups may become a little timid but should still drink water, go to the toilet, and respond to noises. If in doubt always seek veterinary advice.
Join us to find out more
We hope you have found value these top tips. There are more to be found within our group, along with a great bunch of members.
Nearly 1700 ladies have joined our group and we would love to help you too. No more struggling trying to figure it all out by yourself, come and join us and let’s make working your dog as easy as possible!
Our Member Reviews:
Best decision I ever made was joining these ladies
From I was a very young age I went with my dad to shoots and helped with his dogs. During the summer I’d be down helping out with hatching and rearing of the pheasants. It was something I loved and enjoyed. Some of my happiest memories have been from spending time there. As I grew up I realised it was a pretty male-dominant sport with only two other females on our shoot. I started my journey by pinching and working my dad’s dogs on shoot days and always envisioned me getting and training my own gundog when I was allowed. When the time came I picked my first dog, a cocker dog who I named Jake. The training was completed predominantly on my own with help from dad and a couple of books. This is when I came across @ladiesworkingdogs ❤️ best decision I ever made was joining these ladies. I learned a lot from these ladies and they were always willing to give help in positive manners which is something the group strongly stands for. Last year I became an ambassador for the group and I couldn’t have been more proud to be chosen!! So ladies if you own and train dogs give us a follow, you’ll not regret it!
Louise T
This Is So Brilliant!
This is so brilliant Jo! As an ‘accidental’ Gun dog nutcase – I’m so looking forward to being a part of this wonderful journey. Your own personal story is inspiring – and I thank you for channelling your energy into something so passionate and worthwhile to so many other women 💕
Louise K
Really pleased to have come across this group
Hi, thanks for having me! I’ve got a 7 month old lab bitch I want to start training for the field. Have found the gundog groups very male-dominated so really pleased to have come across this group.
Emma P
I’ve been nothing but bowled over by the genuine kindness and support on offer
Found this group as a result of a throwaway comment on another page. I’ve been nothing but bowled over by the genuine kindness and support on offer. So many groups promise not to tolerate nastiness and intolerance but rarely deliver,- this is the exception. It’s not fluffy and silly though, there is genuinely brilliant advice on offer from people who know what they’re doing. It’s been a massive confidence boost as I find my very tentative way into gundog training.
Jodie P
Can’t recommend this site enough
Can’t recommend this site enough, I’m new to shooting and I’m loving learning more and more, I have my first working cocker and she is fantastic, I always get great advice on here how where silly you think the question is. Thank you xx
Kate F
A wonderful group of women
A wonderful group of women who never judge capabilities or experience in anything dog-related.
Rebecca J
Absolutely Brilliant!
Absolutely brilliant! So much knowledge and experience to draw on!
Jo Perrot and her ‘helpers’ have and are driving it so well.
A great safe place to ask any questions Gundog related without fear of ridicule or derision!
Best ever!
Pat G
Super, Supportive Community
LWDG is a super, supportive community where you can go for advice on just about anything and there’s no such thing as a silly question! Its been more important than ever when we’ve lost so much contact with people and the camaraderie that brings. Likeminded ladies who care and are supportive. It’s our safe place. I’m so glad I found the Ladies Working Dog Group
Sue H
A great place for inspiration
A great place for inspiration. Few women train around my area, so it’s nice to have a virtual community
Deb B
I have learnt so much in such a short space of time
I have learnt so much in such a short space of time from this wonderful group! It’s given me the confidence and tools to train my WCS pup in the best possible way, for her and for myself as her trainer. Thank you 😊
Rosie J
If you’re thinking of joining us then just do it
I came across the Ladies Working Dog Group quite sometime before I even had my first dog. I always had a love for my dad’s gundogs however was not in the position to have my own just yet. My preparation for my first dog is all down to this group!! The love, support and advice is unbelievable, I have made lifelong friends and gained much more confidence when handling my own dogs. Jo and her lovely team at the ladies working dog group have changed the working dog industry for me which makes me very proud to be an ambassador!! If you’re thinking of joining us then just do it and you won’t regret it!
Lucy G
What a great idea this group is, loving hearing other ladies training hint and tips, they are all very encouraging, just received my order from Tyler’s horse and country a couple of Embroidered LWDG vest tops for the summer, they are fantastic, great fit and look so smart, thank you, Jo, for this wonderful group you have created.
Heidi H
Full Of Like Minded Ladies
This group is amazing! Full of like-minded ladies who offer support, kindness and non-judgmental solutions in all aspects of your dog training journey. No question is laughed at or dismissed and answers are offered by ladies with a wealth of knowledge. There are also masterclasses to help get the most out of your dog and the Hot Mess Handler course which helped me immensely. I’m so happy to be a part of such a fantastic group.
Welcome to the first post for Ladies Working Dog Group.
Our community started online in 2015 and has grown to over 1600 members as I write this.
I started LWDG because when I began taking my working dog out, I soon realised I was in a male-dominated environment. So I wanted to ask other women about their experiences, like where they bought clothing that wasn’t made for a 6’2 man or what recipes they used for the game. I found it difficult at the start as I wanted to learn but was too scared to ask. So this lovely group was created.
I had no idea where it would lead me when I started this journey. First, I was looking for a way to connect with other like-minded women. But as our numbers began to grow, I realised that we had the potential to make a real difference in the world.
Today, our tribe has grown to include thousands of women gundog handlers from all walks of life. And together, we are making a positive impact on the lives of others. Whether through our online resources or our in-person events, we are committed to helping women reach their full potential. I am so grateful to be a part of this incredible movement. Together, we are changing the world – one woman at a time.
Having a working dog can be an enriching experience. You can provide an essential service to your shooting community, but you also have a loyal four-legged friend by your side. However, it can sometimes be challenging to find others who understand the unique challenges of owning a working dog.
That’s where we come in. We are a supportive and fun-loving group of female working dog owners, and we’re here to help you enjoy your furry friend to the fullest. So whether you’re looking for advice on training or want to share funny stories, we welcome you to join us today.
Have You Ever Wanted To Know Why Joanne Started The Ladies Working Dog Group? Here’s Her Story As First Published in Into The Country Magazine…
Life up until 2010 for me had been the same as everyone else’s. A series of great occasions, and moments we would rather forget.
By 27 I had married, brought two amazing children, Charlotte and Rob, into the world, divorced, and had left the UK and moved to Malta with my new (and forever) husband, Matt. We ran a rock climbing business on the island and I had my last (and final) beautiful daughter Megan. Life was a happy place but I was very tired all the time. I thought the tiredness was down to the heat, three children, our own business and being without family support and thought coming home would help so in 2009 we returned to the UK. But when we returned, the tiredness didn’t leave, and I just dealt with it. I’m a really active person, I grew up with horses, I would hunt and compete and loved the outdoors. So I pushed through and carried on with life.
On December 20th, 2010 I found out why I hadn’t been feeling myself. An emergency visit to A&E for pain in my face led to the unexpected finding of a large brain tumour,
Business-wise we lost everything. I couldn’t dance, so I couldn’t work as a dance instructor anymore. Matt had to take care of three children, and me so his Climbing business died with no one looking after it.
Personally, I lost myself. My confidence disappeared and over the next few months, I was diagnosed with PTSD and epilepsy. It was a very dark time. In all the years before, I had many jobs because of my personality. My confidence had secured my job roles I had no experience in.
I fought back from our financial ruin by joining a network marketing company, needing the income potential and the freedom of time it offered, hoping I would finally find a career I would love… The network marketing industry introduced me to self-development and I read every book I could get my hands on, watched YouTube, and listened to audible. My appetite was and still is limitless. Slowly I became me again, my anxiety returning to a manageable level.
“Every year I had to go for a scan. 2012 revealed the tumour was growing back. I was devastated.”
I had spent so much time rebuilding myself only to lose it all in a 10-minute consultation. As the tumour grew, my confidence shrank, and my anxiety was to the point where I would regularly go days without leaving the house. I wouldn’t shop on my own, I sat with my back to the walls in public places. I forgot who I was and became this sad shell of me who could manage to fake her confidence for the few moments she had with others and then I would run and curl into a ball in my husband’s arms to comfort me from the never-ending pain of panic. Mental health is a weird thing. You can see if someone is physically hurt, but emotions can be masked in such a way that you would never think there was anything wrong. Only my immediate family had a clue of what I was going through.
But by 2015, even they were worried. I had daily panic attacks, and getting me outdoors was nearly impossible. Whilst all of this had been happening in my life, my Dad had faced challenges of his own. Multiple spinal accidents had left him unable to horse ride and he had begun working and competing with his spaniels. One day, Dad convinced me to go beating for the day with him.
From the moment I started working with his dog that day, for some reason, I felt at peace. I should have been stressing about the new environment, new faces, new everything. But instead, I just felt happy. I was back outdoors but instead of dwelling on myself, I was busy thinking about Grace, the dog I was working with. That day I walked for miles, disconnected from my daily life and technology, and it felt so good. I was hooked.
Straight away I wanted my own dog. Dad’s dog Grace was fab, she had competed with Dad and knew her stuff. But as soon as she would hear Dad’s whistle she would abandon me without a thought just to get back to him. I decided I needed a dog of my own.
Bob was five months when I had him, and we were inseparable. He lived with me in the house, wherever I went he was there. If I visited people he came, he sat on the passenger seat of my car, and lay on my lap, he was my shadow. He was too young to work on a shoot, so instead, I carried him around all day in a canvas bag, his head poking out as we went about our work. When the season ended, I began training him, and he became my rock. Slowly and surely, he got my confidence back. Any time I felt my anxiety starting to climb I would grab a ball and we would get outside. His need for exercise increased mine and this is known to help with what I was facing.
The missing thing was contact with other women hunting with dogs. I had joined the same Facebook groups as my Dad, but found that some of the stuff men were posting was really inappropriate, and arguments got quite nasty. I started a group called ‘women beaters and pickers-up. There were only a few of us to begin with, but as we each added the other ladies we knew, it grew into this amazing community of women who supported one another so much. Due to some weird men wanting to join our ‘women beater’ group, We had a Facebook name change to The Ladies Working Dog Group.
In January 2017 I had to face another 6-hour operation to remove my brain tumour that had decided to grow back. This time I faced it with a newfound strength. I had hunted my dog Bob and my new addition Jess (yes, they are addictive) up until December but knew the rest of the season would be out for me. The dogs sat with me through it all, their looks of understanding keeping me from reaching a meltdown. Three weeks after, I managed to walk outside with them to the gate and back, a tiny distance, but to me, it meant so much.
The Ladies Working Dog Group has a single purpose: To create an online community that offers friendship, advice and encouragement to female working dog owners worldwide. With over 5000 supporters across Instagram and Facebook, along with our free and full members, Ladies Working Dog Group is one of the largest, fastest-growing groups for female working dog owners only.
We now produce a member’s masterclass training video with a featured expert each month. Companies send us exclusive discounts, we hold Ladies Only events, we run competitions and our community is really active. We even have our own clothing range ‘hold the line’. There’s so much great stuff going on that it makes me excited and happy, and keeps me away most of the time from those dark moments. April this year I was told my tumour hasn’t grown back. I will still face yearly MRIs, and I pray I don’t have to face another tumour, but I now have so many ladies I call friends that I have met online, who give me support whenever I need it, and of course, my family and my gorgeous dogs.
As I write my story today, it still makes me cry, and the pain is still so raw, but at my feet lay Jess and Ella, her 8-month-old pup. I owe my dogs so much. Without them, I’m not sure I could have gotten through what I have faced, but also I would never have had a reason to start the Ladies Working Dog Group.
Update: Isn’t it funny how quickly time passes… This was written in 2018, and it is now September 2020. Dad, the man who brought me into training working dogs, passed away in October 2019. It’s still too hard for me to write at length about it, but I have been lost without his guidance and his presence.
