Spaniel Training 2025
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Dates to be confirmed at the AGM - this page will be updated with the training schedule
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Spaniel Training 2024
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​Steven Brewer and Tina Nicholas of Spanbella Gundogs ran two training days for Spaniels on behalf of Shropshire Gundog Society.
The first day took place on 13 April on a wet and pretty miserable day weather wise! Hosted at Cheshire Gundogs, the ground used by the England Team for working test selection, by kind permission of Chris Durkin. This day was aimed at the novice handler looking at taking part in KC Working Tests or Field Trials and experienced handlers with novice dogs looking at moving forward with training.
Following introductions, Steven talked about competitions, what to expect on the day, the difference in training a spaniel for trials compared to the shooting field and demonstrated place boards. Hunting and how to train a spaniel to hunt came next, with a demonstration from a dog that Steven has in residential training. Needless to say the very well-schooled dog caused a ripple of admiration! Lunch with homemade cakes saw us take a break with time to ask Steven and Tina questions and copies of J Regs were supplied to all attendees. The afternoon saw all dogs assessed by Steven, from hunting to walking to heel and handling at distance. Whilst individual 1-2-1 training took place, we were able to use the water for retrieves for the dogs, helped by Tina. The day closed around 5.30pm with lots of smiles and thanks as people departed.
The second day took place on 13 July, aimed at advanced handling specifically for Field Trials. There is clearly a theme to the weather as the forecast indicated warm, overcast but dry, by 10am we had light drizzle and the warmth was no where to be found! Rain became heavy rain at one point but didn’t deter the hardened group of who were captivated by Steven’s training methods and techniques – he has some pretty amusing stories too! Again, we were lucky to be able to use the ground at Cheshire Gundogs by kind permission of Chris Durkin.
We started the day with very brief introductions, most were well known to each other with a good number having already attended the first training day. Steven moved from dog to dog, starting with handling at distance and helping to address any specific training requirements. Steven had a couple of residential dogs to demonstrate the level we should all be aspiring to, one being his own FTCH that he took to the Championships this year. Attendees included Field Trial competitors who have made up a number of dogs and some who are yet to compete!
Lunch with homemade cakes was timed well to coincide with a heavy downpour of rain. As the day progressed the weather lifted and we had an afternoon of continued learnings: reading the wind, advanced handling to use the wind, how to work with the dog using the wind, handling at distance and more hunting.
With grateful thanks to Chris Durkin for the use of his ground which had been carefully prepared with rides cut in the white grass and woodland area. Thanks also to Helen Noakes who booked on to both training sessions and brought her camera, producing some exceptional photographs. Steven and Tina of Spanbella Gundogs for their time and exceptional training opportunities.
Both days were generously sponsored by Sporting Saint – Gundog Training Equipment.