Foundation Water Workshops

This three-part workshop will look at how to build confidence in swimming and teach your gundog to retrieve from water.

Our Foundation Water Workshops, led by Lynsey, are suitable for… 

• All breeds of gundog, including retrievers, spaniels and HPRs
• Dogs which have already been introduced to water, whose owners would like to build their confidence and ability to retrieve from and over water
• Pet gundog owners who would like to teach their dog to swim confidently and who want to give them enrichment, but need to learn how to do it with some control
• Those looking to participate in the Gundog Assessment Programme Level 4 and above field assessments, which includes a water element
• Those looking to eventually work their dogs in the field or participate in working tests

Our Foundation Water Workshops will cover...

• In part one, we will be looking at swimming on cue. The session will focus on teaching your dog how to swim with confidence, how to recall from water without shaking, and how to enter the water on cue.
• In part two, we will be introducing the marked retrieve to water and establishing a pattern, which eliminates the shake as well as progressing the water retrieve to include more distance, steadiness and difficulty. We will also be introducing shot into the exercises.
• In part three, we will be progressing to over-water retrieves. Building confidence to swim across water and to return in the same direction. Shot will also be included in these exercises.