Paddocks, Set aside, rough ground in bedfordshire

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andyW

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Afternoon all,

I am a tad new here, so don't shoot me down ;-).

I hope some of you may have a few ideas as to how i can achieve my dreams.
I run 3 working labradors to a trial standard and its impossible to do what i need to with their training on public ground.

People get in the way, Other dogs steal things that i have purposely put in nooks and crannies etc and its just a general nightmare.

So

What i am looking for is to be able to rent/use some ground that keeps us away from Joe public, and generally paddock type land is pretty useful.

Set aside fields are all good, long grass short grass, fences (although barbed and electric aren't ideal)
The boys are completely used to farm animals and have no interest in them at all.
I would ideally like to be able to use blank shot but or course is the land is near grazing animals then i understand this may not be possible.

Any ideas folks ??

Many thanks
Andy
 
Approach some local farmers? The personal approach is always best, in my opinion. Especially if you are smart and polite and have well behaved dogs, meeting in person lets the farmer see that you aren't rabble who leaves gates open etc.
 
Some dog training places have big grounds. I'm thinking of the dog Borstal type place eg the one on TV was based at the old film studios near Radlett and had large 8 foot fenced type grounds. It might be possible to rent use of something like that for specific time slots? Probably not cheap tho.

Otherwise it would probably be find a farmer job, most horse fencing has elements of electric, so less ideal.
 
I don't need anything fenced like the borstal place. Sorry I should have explained better.
The fencing side of things is for me to get the dogs to jump on their way to where i am sending them to rather than containing them. So 5 bar gate type size is ideal. I have got a few local farmers, but the problem seemed to be that they plant up as much of it as they can so their are rarely set aside type fields.
 
I train (different discipline) in public and apart from people thinking I am completely bonkers :p yes, people do lift poles, cross tracks, let their dog eat baited footsteps etc but it's all a good distraction :p
And most of the fields are full of sheep although the silage is being cut now so it's a bit easier. I ring the farmers every couple of weeks and check which fields are free.

Is there not a gundog club anywhere near you? Or how far away are you prepared to go? My club is 45 mins away for formal training but it's not a huge ordeal to get there, I will have to travel to compete, the furthest club from me is five hours drive one way and we've done that a good few times!
Also I use mirrors a lot to check my positions are OK etc.
 
Not many clubs locally no, and those only do tests and club training. its the private training in between the trials and tests that i need the ground for to keep the boys at the top of their game. A lot of gundog work as well is about distractions, So Dog see's a dummy thrown with a shot one way, but we want to send them elsewhere.

Using shot on public ground is a big problem :-)
 
Have you got any local shoots wanting dogs? They may be able to put a good word in with landowners in return for some picking up, perhaps. You could ask over on NOBS?
 
Oops , just read title better. Sorry. Pity as there is so much downland round here which people train on.
 
Shame you aren't nearer as I have 4 acres for this use including a river bank and natural pond.
 
BBH,

This is exactly the sort of thing i am looking for lol,
I assume your other end of the country ?

Just a thought, but would you think its worth putting a classified Ad type thing in the mag asking the same sort of thing ??
 
I'm in Hampshire. We charge £10 per hour and its ideal for dogs to have some private space to play, primarily used by
' pet' dogs though whose owners aren't wanting the dog/s to mix with others for various reasons.

Yes I would put an ad in as there maybe farmers etc who would have space for you.
 
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Have you tried asking on the gundog forum? Maybe a few of you could get together.... simulate trials conditions etc.
Somebody might know of a good area where they train, and would appreciate some experienced help in return for sharing it..
 
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