The LWDG Hot Mess Handler Course
Member Showcase
Member Name: Elizabeth
Location: North Yorkshire
Top 2 Favourite Features:
- Being an ambassador and the challenges
- Dog and Duck - Love it! The amazing trainers that are happy to share their knowledge and support no question too small and they like a challenge.
My Journey So Far:
Slow and steady group training and experience days for HPRs and Willow, we have been learning together.
Why I Joined:
I needed help training my German Wirehaired pointer, my first working dog.
What I Love and What I've Learnt:
I love the Hot Mess Handler course , and I try not to miss a Dog and Duck (always a good giggle and great unexpected learning opportunity). I enjoy the podcasts, videos, and great society chats.
Dog training is not a linear path; if you’re having a bad day go home, there is always tomorrow.
Closing Comments:
There is no better resource out there that you can dip in and out of and feel welcomed and supported by a fabulous group of lovely ladies.
Member Name: Pat Geary
Location: South East England
Top 2 Favourite Features:
- The online courses are invaluable
- the opportunity to increase contacts immensely important
My Journey So Far:
Duggie is my first Gundog (choc labrador retriever). We have been training for over three years now and are at the stage where we enjoy competing in Working Tests and the shooting season. I help at Field Trials bird marking and have learnt so much more assisting and mixing with really experienced handlers and trainers and would recommend that route to others! I am now at the stage of looking to increase my dog ownership further!!!
Why I Joined:
I was new to Gundogs and Gundog training and felt it was a safe and reliable environment and forum to ask varied (& sometimes dumb) questions!
What I Love and What I've Learnt:
Being extremely inexperienced when I started asking questions and getting various responses back was really useful. Also, the networking facility has helped immensely too. The online courses are great to dip in and out of, and the trainers are both accessible and passionate about assisting and pass on their knowledge – all of which is easily accessible online.
Everything!!!! Seriously – the training, skill base and trainer accessibility has so enhanced the on-the-ground training I get from a variety of trainers in my area … the confidence to know that ‘I can do this’ (pinching the current saying following the Euro Women’s success but it’s true) – ‘if you can see it then you can do it!’ Knowing that I am not alone with my frustrations and being able to share the successes with a wider community that understands!
Closing Comments:
The readily accessible team at HQ who are always there in a split second to deal with queries (& boy, with me being an IT idiot I need them!) and to always offer support and encouragement!
Member Name: Rachael Simmons
Location: Gloucestershire
Top 2 Favourite Features:
- The podcasts, I do a lot of driving with work and love to use that time to learn more to help develop our training.
- I also love the community, dog and duck sessions are fabulous for making you think outside the box!
My Journey So Far:
I have a 16-month Labrador, and she is my first gun dog. I’ve been involved in shooting for five years, going beating on my father in laws shoots. We train weekly with a gun dog trainer, and our aim is to eventually be part of the picking-up team!
Why I Joined:
To join a like-minded community when I bought my first gun dog home.
What I Love and What I've Learnt:
Being new to the gun dog training world, the master classes from the experts have been an excellent tool in helping me learn all of the terminologies as it can sometimes seem like a completely different language!
I think the most important thing I have learned is not to compare my and my dog’s training progress to anyone else. The group is so supportive, and no question is a silly question.
Closing Comments:
For anyone sitting on the fence trying to decide to join, I would say jump in and get involved!
Member Name: Lauren Tabony
Location: Herne Bay, Kent
Top 2 Favourite Features:
- I love the forum and seeing the abundance of guidance from professionals.
- I also listen to the podcasts on a regular basis as I love to listen to the professionals answer questions I have and learn from each other.
My Journey So Far:
I’ve been a dog trainer for over 10 years and only started my Gundog training journey in lockdown with my husky! I was hooked. Then our flattie came along and we have been pushing ourselves through training and teamwork. It’s like no other dog sport I’ve taken part in.
Why I Joined:
After working with the lovely Claire Denyer I wanted to be part of a supportive group passionate in the sport.
What I Love and What I've Learnt:
I like to look into the challenges and courses available to continue my CPD as well as feel like I’m on the right road with my own dog 😀 My time management for training my dog has certainly improved and is easier because of shared tips.
Closing Comments:
I’m still new but loving every day of it
Member Name: Alice Gundavda
Location: Cumbria, England
Top 2 Favourite Features:
- I binge on the masterclasses whenever I’m not working or out dog training 🙂
- The masterclasses and the podcasts. I listen to the podcasts whenever I’m driving (which I do a lot for work).
My Journey So Far:
I’ve been training with my older Labrador for about 2.5years, but with mixed success. I’ve been a member of the LWDG for a year now and have found the community and online resources such a lot of help. I’ve realised that the “problems” I have in training my dogs are mostly to do with my lack of confidence and lack of consistency, the group has really helped to change that. I am also fortunate enough to live near one of the featured experts, and she is now our dog trainer, which has been fab so far.
Why I Joined:
I have two working Labradors and wanted to get into gundog training with them, but found it all a bit intimidating. I then read some articles by Jo in the Gundog Journal, looked the group up and..the rest is history!
What I Love and What I've Learnt:
I use the masterclasses the most, and really enjoy the podcasts and interactive content on the forums/chat. However, I’m not a big fan of Facebook (I don’t use it personally and struggle to navigate it), so I’m really looking forward to the new website meaning I can get more out of my membership. I should try and access the Live events more, and it’s just difficult as I work on a laptop all day, so to dial in for more video calls is a bit hard. But I enjoy watching them back later.
Confidence in handling my dogs and understanding why they might behave in certain ways when I do certain things…those insights are really helpful.
Closing Comments:
It’s really great, my husband is jealous of all the dog-networking I get to do through the group. Perhaps we need a boys-sub group 😉
Member Name: Susan
Location: Spalding
Top Favourite Features:
- Masterclasses
- Ask The Expert
- Live Q and A Sessions
My Journey So Far:
So far I’ve done Hot Mess Handler and foundation training.
Why I Joined:
Support with training my Labrador
What I Love and What I've Learnt:
I love watching training sessions and then practice the techniques. To be patient, not to give up and to always finish on a positive note. Avoiding temptation to just do a little bit more when things are going well, this is when it can all go wrong.
Closing Comments:
A friendly supportive group whether you are an experienced owner or a complete novice.
