OUR TRAINING GOAL IS EXCELLENCE, WHAT'S YOURS?
New to Gundog Training - you must read the next 3 pages
***3rd Jan. 2012 - Sorry, all pups sold***
******PUPS READY 1st FEB. 2012 by INT.F.T.Ch.Helmsway Hawk of Witchwilows******
My wee fella from our litter - Craigelachie Drummer
Why not visit our 'Videos - Dog Training' page! It is under construction so videos will be going on over time.
*****Want to join the North East England Spaniel Club (for ALL Spaniels)? Go to www.nespanielclub.co.uk*****
Kay Mclain from Craigelachie Gundogs is passionate about helping owners train their dog. Through a series of private One to One lessons, you will be given all the instruction needed to ensure his gundog training is the best it possibly can be and tailored solely for him and his needs. For those who don't have the time to train their dog, or prefer the training to be done for them or need their dogs training 'started off', we offer Residential Training. You will be taught not only how to train your dog but just as importantly, how to keep it interesting, stimulating and motivating for him. Please visit our Testimonials page to see what others say about our training.
Craigelachie Gundogs are based in beautiful rural Northumberland, North East England about 10 miles west of Morpeth. We are a small family kennel made up of 3 generations who, between us, have worked with dogs spanning over 50 years. We are members of over 25 Working Gundog Clubs, Societies and Field Trial Associations.
Our commitment to, and understanding of dog training is such that Craigelachie Sporren is not only an outstanding working gundog, reliable stud dog and a great friend, but he is also part 'Assistance Dog' trained. This not only shows our passion for dog training and understanding of the dogs mind, but it also reinforces this dogs training aptitude, and his trainability will come through in his pups. 
Who says Springers CAN'T walk to heel?!?
We breed, train and work our own dogs starting right from a very careful breeding selection process to make sure we have the best possible match between dog and bitch. The Craigelachie Springers came about from generations of very thought through breeding. We do not breed to sell, we only breed when we need to bring on youngstock. This does mean that now and again, there will be some pups for sale. This also means we breed for quality. The up and coming youngsters are a complete joy to train. We have worked with many different breeds over the years, gaining more and more experience with every dog as every single one is different.
Whether your dog comes to us through veterinary referral for behaviour/training issues, whether you're looking to compete with your dog, want to have the best dog at the shoot or just a very well behaved pet, we give you our undivided attention, commitment and passion to train your dog.
When you get your new pup home immediately begin the bonding process. Play with your dog, become his best friend, his leader, protector and become the person he always wants to be with. And when you begin training, keep that in mind, that you always want to be the person he wants to be with. You need to become and stay the most important and interesting thing in his whole life.
My oldest dog is long since retired and I still play with her and if I took her out with the gun, she would still hunt hard and retrieve anything I sent her for. And I am not ashamed to admit that the next 2 younger ones (7 yrs old) still absolutely love to play roly poly games with me and pretend dancing to whatever takes my fancy at the time and both have worked their socks off on days you could barely move in the cold and the wind. So you can see that training is not the only important thing, a good bond is also important. My current youngest one, with all his skills, reminds me every day why I think he is amazing. I truly love all my dogs and bonding comes very easily, but as you will gather from this website, training is just as important to us, and the best way to keep that bond with your dog is through continual training. Dogs don't see training as 'training', they see it as fun time with their favourite person, and the better you do it, the more they enjoy it!
Gundog training starts with play training and bonding. The young dog then progresses onto puppy dummies. From here, more dummies are introduced with varying weights, shapes and textures. Hunting and seen and blind retrieves are developed and the starting pistol is introduced (at a very safe distance from the dog and coming in closer, never worrying the dog). Next, the launcher can be introduced and then progress onto the use of 2 remote launchers (this really puts the pressure on your dogs obedience in many aspects). Once your dog shows he is happy with fur and feather, cold game is introduced. All the way through these stages, your dog should not be moved onto the next stage until he is at an excellent standard on the current stage. While your dog progresses through his stages, obstacles like stone walls, water and fences are introduced as is training in rougher cover, woodland, open areas. This all takes several months, not a few weeks. Our training grounds offer varied cover for the gundog from water, woodland, heather, bramble, rhododendron, reeds and rushes.
The feeling you get when your dogs head turns, he stands stock still and looks at you, and what he is actually saying is 'what do you want me to do', is totally amazing.
Gundog training takes time, patience, understanding, calmness, consistency and clear signals - at every level. Rush it at your peril!
We specialise in 'Residential Training' and 'Private One to One Training'. We can help you train your gundog from the very beginning to the very end. Or, we can do all your gundog training for you and show you how to work your dog, the commands to use, and everything else you need to know to have a happy and successful partnership out in the field. For more information please visit our 'Craigelachie Training', 'Dog Training', 'Residential Training', 'Live In Training' or 'Going On Holiday' pages, or feel free to give us a ring or send an email with your queries. If we can't take your call there and then, if you leave a message with your query and a contact number, we'll get back to you as soon as we can. We are fully insured so you can be sure you are in safe hands.
TRAINING OPTIONS
- One-to-One Private Gundog Training- Basic to Advanced
- One-to-One Private Pet Obedience
- One-to-One Private Assessment - Training & Behaviour
- Residential Training (for any breed) - Kennelled or Live In (longer term training - gundog training)
- One Day Stay - one off or regular
- Holiday Stay - short term - weekly/fortnightly (or longer by arrangement)
- Home Visit - Behaviour Issues - Advice/Training
- Stud Dog - Craigelachie Sporren - ESS - proven stud dog
- Microchipping- we provide a full and professional microchipping service with the option of the brand new 8.5mm mini microchip as well as the standard 12mm microchip, both with full Petlog registration
For details on how to book training, please go to our 'Prices & Booking' page
Today, Craigelachie Gundogs work mainly with Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels and the Labrador. We do work with other breeds too including German Pointers, the Hungarian Vizsla, English & Irish Setters, and Labradoodles for both working and general obedience and cross breeds for pet obedience training (and some that work too). Other breeds include German Shepherds, Poodles, Jack Russells, Newfoundland, Dalmations, Collies and many more. Many years ago (in my youth), I trained Border Collies for shepherding and German Shepherds for tracking alongwith Labradors for gundog work. My biggest passion with the gundogs is the Springer. They are such strong and hopeful dogs, full of drive and tenacity with gold in their heart and fire in their belly. The Ferrari with 4 legs.
The working dog is a sight to behold when they are doing what they were bred for, and doing it well. If you get the training right from the very start, you will be the owner of one of those gundogs that everyone can't help but watch. Our training grounds offer varied cover for the gundog from water, woodland, heather, bramble, rhododendron, reeds and rushes.
Kay Mclain believes in using kind, positive reward based training. No, this doesn't mean a pocketful of treats all the time. When training is going well, you are the reward (in a manner of speaking).
But yes, sometimes, things don't always go according to plan, you may not have had the dog from a pup or a multitude of other reasons, and in situations where you are not the reward, treats can be used to help build that bond and understanding and make that connection between the two of you.
All of our training is based on positive reinforcement, basically, praise and reward. We have no time for belting, booting or throwing. There is no reason in the world why someone should stand on a dogs back to teach it how to stay or any other such nonsense. This is the wrong way to train a dog, in fact, it isn't training, it's bullying and frightening! We aim for happy trained dogs, not those that cower behind your leg too terrified to even think about putting their nose beside your leg. Our training is very much about bonding, praise and reward, positive dog training.
The harshest form of punishment your dog should ever get (if reprimand or punishment is needed), is a firm voice, a certain body stance, and a look in your eye. It's not about shouting, it's about 'tone'. But reprimand and punishment needs to be balanced with praise and reward, or it is worthless to the dog. You also need to be able to read your dogs body language and your timing for everything is crucial to getting the results you want from your dog.
Many dogs are labelled wild and unruly, and many of them are exactly that. Some of these same dogs are also labelled stupid, most are not. Most of these dogs are wild and unruly and are seen as stupid because in actual fact they are intelligent and lack mental stimulation, from their owner, so they go off and find it for themselves, making them behave wild and unruly. This is why training is so important, not just because you want a dog that conforms to our society, but because you want your dog to get as much pleasure from life as it can so it is happy and content at the end of the day. Physical exercise alone is not enough.
At home, if you don't insist on 'basic manners', e.g waiting to get out of the car until told, not barging out the back door at home as soon as you open it, letting him charge off as soon as the lead is removed, etc., you will never have a trained gundog, (or trained pet) no matter how much residential training you send him for or how many lessons you have. Always aim for the best your dog is capable of (no matter how small the task) and you will have so many more rewards, as will he.
If you are thinking about sending your dog for Residential Training, please read our 'Misconceptions' and 'Training Problems' pages so you can be sure you have a good understanding of what training is all about. It is not possible for anyone to make an informed decision without having all the facts and information available to them.
We love helping owners to train their dogs but you must understand that training is a long term plan and you, the owners, must have input into it for it to be successful.
Pups
Please go to our 'For Sale' page for more information about our litter born 7th December 2011.
We have the occassional litter of pups for sale as we breed a litter now and again for ourselves. We breed for hunting, gamefinding ability and temperament first and foremost. We like dogs with the stamina to be able to work all day and go home content and many of the modern working gundogs of today have become very light both in build and stamina. Any pups we may have will be available on our 'For Sale' page.
**********For training options, how to book and prices, please visit our 'Prices & Booking' page**********
**********To see where we are, go to our 'Find Us' page**********
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OUR TRAINING GOAL IS EXCELLENCE, WHAT'S YOURS?