Gundog people

BallyRoanBaubles said:
We also had a great day out picking up yesterday, there were some walking guns so got to walk in line with them which is always great fun!
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I picked up at a trial on Friday, so only took Ffee. We left the triallers to do their thing after the first drive and went and did another drive, I went with a walking gun. It was great, Ffee to heel then sending her as we walked. He was a great shot, which helped!
 
Clodagh said:
Suitable starter size for puppy? Or would you recommend another brand? Ty!
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I have an embarrassing number of dummies (genuinely might be 3 figures at this point) .

I'd probably go for the Dog and Field teal dummy or the sporting saint mini hen dummy. The dokken puppy dummy is nice too, for when spanners are very young
 
druid said:
I have an embarrassing number of dummies (genuinely might be 3 figures at this point) .

I'd probably go for the Dog and Field teal dummy or the sporting saint mini hen dummy. The dokken puppy dummy is nice too, for when spanners are very young
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Thank you.
You are a dummy addict.
My name is Druid and I have an addiction.
 
I’m doing five days this week, which is too much. Still, two down. I’m trying to pace the dogs and will see who feels up to it each morning.
 
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Mimi is now an OFTAW!! Took a punt on running both my homebred girls in an Open FT today as novice dogs at just 2yo.

Mimi polished her halo and came home with a Certificate of Merit 🎉

Sassy didn't quite keep a clean score sheet but came home with Gun's Choice and the memorial trophy which I was chuffed with 🐾
 
druid said:
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Mimi is now an OFTAW!! Took a punt on running both my homebred girls in an Open FT today as novice dogs at just 2yo.

Mimi polished her halo and came home with a Certificate of Merit 🎉

Sassy didn't quite keep a clean score sheet but came home with Gun's Choice and the memorial trophy which I was chuffed with 🐾
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Wow fantastic well done!
 
Thanks guys, I was less than enthusiastic about today. Poor prep as busy, wet weather and an open trial left me thinking I was mad to be driving 2.5h North at 5.30am this morning. I had in my head if they finished one run I'd call that a good achievement. There's such a jump from Novice to Open levels of polish that I really didn't think awards were in the cards especially with dogs running who were only a point or two off their FT title as well as several FTCh

As a bonus Mimi, by the skin of her teeth, has made it for the FT class at Crufts now and her mother can stay at home (happily!)
 
Well I’ve done my sums and I did 57 days, which equated to 153 dog days. The team did great. No injuries or vets bills (apart from Scout’s non work related issues). They are all resting and taking it slowly this week. (Well, I am anyway).
Training to rein them back in again will start soon.
Pup is signed up for a group course with M-J Opie (bet I’m the worst there 😃) and a weekend course with Sue Hatton. I’m reluctant to sign up for any more as that first season is bound to turn up at a very inconvenient time.
 
We've still got 3 days left, beaters, keepers and a walk up. Slightly itching to start some Crufts trimming but won't until they are done for the season!

Taking 3 tomorrow for beaters....had to use them as stops on Wednesday as we had more guns than beaters! 30 yard spacings sat up along the edge of the drive...good thing they are steady!
 
druid said:
We've still got 3 days left, beaters, keepers and a walk up. Slightly itching to start some Crufts trimming but won't until they are done for the season!

Taking 3 tomorrow for beaters....had to use them as stops on Wednesday as we had more guns than beaters! 30 yard spacings sat up along the edge of the drive...good thing they are steady!
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Good job to them. That’s rare and amazing in a spaniel!
 
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I’m feeling positive about puppy. Mainly thanks to people on here, especially @CorvusCorax and @druid .
She’s still way too fast and highly bred for my skills but she is so trainable and willing. Having not done more than sporadically tick her over since 1st September I can now get back in daily training. What’s amazing is it really helps 😳😁.
The single biggest thing (Druid) is scrapping retrieve training, or nearly, and training for gravy bones.
I’ve got a 6 week group course with Mary-Jane Opie starting soon which no doubt will be both scathing and helpful. 🤦‍♀️.

And on another subject… waterproof over trousers. They must be able to be worn with a belt as I have a belly bigger then my bum and elastic waists fall down. Reasonably rip proof, washable and fairly lightweight. Ideas please?
 
I have 2 pairs of Decathlon trousers, they fit like jeans, slight stretch, oldest pair are on their 5th season, weekly/twice weekly use. I've climbed through hedges and slid down banks in them. I have one pair for work/training and a tidy cleanish pair for accompanying Rob whilst he's shooting. Great value and design.

Mine are the older version of these without the cargo pockets https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women...s-500-brown-cargo-pockets/183091/c387m8929975

You have to search Bushcraft clothig as the words hunting and shooting are no longer used by rhem

I think these are the same as mine, £10 cheaper https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/womens-waterproof-hunting-trousers-brown-500/183091/c387c344m8494249
 
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Thistle said:
I have 2 pairs of Decathlon trousers, they fit like jeans, slight stretch, oldest pair are on their 5th season, weekly/twice weekly use. I've climbed through hedges and slid down banks in them. I have one pair for work/training and a tidy cleanish pair for accompanying Rob whilst he's shooting. Great value and design.

Mine are the older version of these without the cargo pockets https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women...s-500-brown-cargo-pockets/183091/c387m8929975

You have to search Bushcraft clothig as the words hunting and shooting are no longer used by rhem

I think these are the same as mine, £10 cheaper https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/womens-waterproof-hunting-trousers-brown-500/183091/c387c344m8494249
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I want pull on overtrousers rather than trousers, ones I can just put over my other fitted ones. Ty. 😁. I have an embarrassing number of trousers already. 😆
 
I have the Fortis ones which are very bramble proof but not stretchy at all. I also have the farmer's flexothane over trousers in green which I opt for 90% of the time
 
druid said:
I have the Fortis ones which are very bramble proof but not stretchy at all. I also have the farmer's flexothane over trousers in green which I opt for 90% of the time
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I like Fortis to look at (have always been too tight to buy!). Can you chuck them in the washing machine?
 
Clodagh said:
I like Fortis to look at (have always been too tight to buy!). Can you chuck them in the washing machine?
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I've never bothered to try clean them, mine are the short cut ones as I wear the Crispi boots with integral gaiters so don't need coverage to the ankle. Plus spaniels put muddy feet on me all the time. I find them quite restrictive if climbing fences/walls and very warm. Having a quick look on the website they don't do the style I have anymore however - mine have a ridiculous single popper waist closure and require a belt to stay on. The popper opens the first time you bend over. The newer ones seem to be elasticated waist/drawstring
 
druid said:
I've never bothered to try clean them, mine are the short cut ones as I wear the Crispi boots with integral gaiters so don't need coverage to the ankle. Plus spaniels put muddy feet on me all the time. I find them ofquite restrictive if climbing fences/walls and very warm. Having a quick look on the website they don't do the style I have anymore however - mine have a ridiculous single popper waist closure and require a belt to stay on. The popper opens the first time you bend over. The newer ones seem to be elasticated waist/drawstring
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I might try the cheapy ones BallyRoanBaubles suggests. For £15 I could cut slits for a belt!
 
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