Uncategorized Archives - Page 2 of 34 -

Thank You Penton Mewsey

Jul 112018

Despite the heat, we managed to put on a display for the fete-goers at Penton Mewsey on Sunday. It was the most challenging show we have ever done, but when you receive feedback like this, it makes it all worthwhile.

“This is the second time that Stephen and his dogs have performed at the Penton Fete, a quite outstanding display last time and again this year – ample explanation for why we were so keen to get him back for this year’s fete! Stephen put on a masterful and engaging demonstration of gundog obedience to an amazed crowd at the Penton Fete; a challenging day on what was likely to be the hottest day of the July roasting that we have all had, and one to which both he and his dogs rose with ease and dedication! His Labradors’ and spaniels’ retrieval skills impressed us all and Stephen’s advanced control and calm manner along with his great banter and humorous dog tricks was a great crowd pleaser and completely won the day. Thank you, Stephen, for a great display and we will definitely be asking him back again next time – it’s a true winner of a display.” Paul Booth, Penton Fete Chairman

Puppy Placeboards!

Uncategorized No Responses »

Apr 292018

I’ve often thought that the puppies and small dogs I train seem to be a bit lost on the full size boards we use. So I thought I’d have a crack at designing and making some boards just for our smaller dogs!

Here’s my first effort in time for tomorrow’s lesson with a 9 week old Golden Retriever. Compact, interlocking, lightweight and small, they should be ideal to encourage the pup or small dog to maintain a steady sit, stay and straight line recall.

I’ll try and post a video of the pup using the boards!

It’s what makes it all worth while …

Uncategorized No Responses »

Feb 012018

I have just received this from a lady who attended the training workshop I held a couple of weeks ago. She had approached me afterwards and was desperate for help with one of her dogs who was displaying aggression to her other dog and to other dogs that she encountered when out walking. Jazz had become a liability, a constant source of worry and unpleasant to be with. It had reached the point that she was no longer able to enjoy living with her dogs. I spoke at length to her and then sent her a comprehensive list of exercises to help realign Jazz’s behaviour, to re-establish the house hierarchy and to reintroduce calm. Here’s the result:

“No words can explain how grateful we are for your advice. I have read books etc but hearing it from you has made it so much easier to understand. Both Jazz and Tilly are totally calm already when we come into the house – it’s a pleasure coming in now. I feel as if a weight has been lifted from all our shoulders!

I can’t thank you enough.”

This is what makes what I do all worth while. I’ve never done the training for the money. In fact, the help I gave this lady (and most others) was totally free of charge. For me, it’s all about seeing dogs and owners lead more balanced, happier lives together. Result!

We Nearly Got Away With It …………

Uncategorized No Responses »

Jan 232018

With only 2 weeks of the shooting season left, I was beginning to count my blessings that, for the first time in 8 years, none of the dogs had sustained injuries this year – other than the normal cuts and grazes. Counted too soon …………

Poppy picked up a UTI infection and cystitis which saw her needing to wee every 5 minutes. Metacam and antibiotics.
Poppy ripped open her nose yesterday. Metacam, hibiscrub and antibiotics.
Daisy spiked herself on barbed wire causing an arterial bleed with blood pumping out of a leg wound. Managed to stem the flow. Sickness, lethargy, temperature. You guessed it, Metacam antibiotics and hibiscrub.
Just to add to the financial joy of pet ownership, Sparky the boy cat clocked in with a cool £340 bill for heart and liver issues!

I feel as if I live at the vet’s surgery at the moment. Manor Farm Veterinary Surgery in Codford is just across the road from where we live: they have been superb with us for many years, specialising in working animals, so I am very grateful to all the nurses and vets.

Whilst the significant costs are unwelcome, I am more than happy to spend whatever it takes to keep my pets healthy. For me, it’s part of the deal when you take on any animal. If you can’t afford to care for it, don’t get it.

One more day’s work left for the dogs. I could keep them home, wrap them in cotton wool and keep them out of harm’s way. But they love what they do, they don’t complain when they’re hurt and they live to work. So here’s hoping Saturday evening doesn’t see me once again at the vet’s surgery collecting more …. yes, you guessed it – Metacam and antibiotics!

Older Entries Newer Entries

Demonstration Testimonials

Over the years we have seen many dog training demonstrations but this was one of the best. Stephen’s style was so engaging and even though we are unlikely to ever go shooting we were inspired to get the clicker back out!
It was fun as well as instructive, if only we had a fraction of his skill, how happy would our cockapoo be!
Look forward to seeing him and his dogs again.

Sally Watson

Dear Stephen,
Thank you, you were amazing! Very many people have said how much they enjoyed your display. Comments included things like "great display", "so engaging", "he was just brilliant", "great to watch", "amazing dogs" and one of my friends (who is an animal behaviourist & dog trainer who works at Kingston Maurward College) said "that guy really knows what he's doing, it's excellent to watch" - she was definitely very impressed.
Thank you hugely again Stephen - as far as we and many others are concerned you were definitely the star of the arena events!

Linda Nunn, Director Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB

6 October 2013 - Cranborne Chase Woodfair

Mrs Kim Swain of Warminster wrote:

This was the first time I have seen your display and I have to say that the show was a fantastic day for both owners and dogs alike . Not only did you do your brilliant display, but you did all the judging for the dog show too.

It was amazing and, along with the other spectators, I was blown away by your performance, with the highlight being Daisy's collar act!

Kim Swain

Mrs Anne Filkins of Warminster wrote;

Dear Stephen, You were brilliant! It was tough on you to judge every class and run commentary - and THEN do your turn! You and the dogs were very well received, all the folk around me were in awe of you and your girls. Wowed and amused in all the right places. For me it was a chance to see where my piece of the jigsaw might eventually fit into the bigger picture. The show was a great success, largely thanks to you.

Anne Filkins

7 June 2015 - Sutton Veny Dog Show

At the end of our demonstration yesterday in one of the largest arenas and in front of one of the biggest crowds we have ever seen (17,000), I was stopped by many people including by Lisa Tonks, a professional dog trainer based in Ringwood who runs "Paws4Reward". Lisa was kind enough to write to me after the show:

"How refreshing to watch a Gun Dog demonstration using reward based training, a clicker and treats. This showed how gun dogs can really enjoy not only working, they are also capable and enjoy preforming fun tricks.

It was obvious to all that Stephen loves working with his dogs and his dogs relish working with him.

The demonstration was full of great training tips and advise, for all dog owners and not just for Gun Dogs.

I hope many of my clients were watching. I certainly learnt new things today.

Lisa Tonks
Dog Trainer, Ringwood
lisa@paws4reward.co.uk
http://lisatonks.vpweb.co.uk/default.html
07967 640533

APDT 001152

I was also approached by Mr & Mrs Conlan. Mr Conlan, an ex VC10 pilot in the RAF, said that he had not wanted to come to the show but had been persuaded to do so by his wife. He said he had seen "hundreds" of Gundog demonstrations in the past and had said to his wife "Here we go again!" when it was our turn. But he said he was so pleased he had been persuaded to come along as this was the best and most entertaining show he had ever seen. He promised to write a testimonial and, true to his word, I received this email the next morning:

Dear Mr Harrison,

The high point of the Ellingham Show yesterday for both my wife and me was your demonstration. It was a delight to see the rapport you have with your dogs and their obvious enjoyment of the whole display. I suspect many of the attending dog owners watched with envy.

We look forward very much to seeing you and your team at future events.

Thank you once again.

Tom Conlon

And then, out of the blue, I received this from Christine Pomroy in Bransgore:

"At the Ellingham Show we were delighted to watch your gundog display. Your two dogs, Poppy and Daisy, were a credit to your training regime and entertained the audience with their routines and tricks. It was the best dog display that we have ever seen!"

9 August 2014 - Ellingham & Ringwood Show

I was lucky enough to watch One Man and his Gundogs at The Wessex Country Fair recently and even luckier to chat with him after the demonstration. On mentioning writing a review of his demonstration, Stephen, tongue in cheek, informed me of the correct spellings for some adjectives I might need for the review-

Stephen told me “there are two p’s in appalling and two b’s in rubbish”!

Of course these are two adjectives I would never have need of using when reviewing one of Stephen’s demonstrations, however, it highlights his wonderful humility and sense of humour which shines through fantastically when you watch him.

Stephen starts with some classic dog training but makes it accessible for anyone. He follows with a brilliant display of his Gundog’s skills which is a joy to watch. You leave feeling you can achieve great things with your dog too, which is wonderfully empowering and an amazing achievement from one man in a demonstration with his dogs.

Then there’s the fun and tricks which always gets the audience going! Stephen does “voices” for the dogs and a brilliant array of tricks which particularly appeals to children but entertains the adults brilliantly as well. The trick at the end with Daisy “fooling” Stephen is genius and brings laughter all round!

It is the very fact that Stephen doesn’t take himself too seriously that is part of the charm of the show. If it’s hot and his dogs don’t perform perfectly, that’s fine. I love that. There’s no pressure and therefore it ends up being a lot of fun to watch.

You cannot help but smile and feel good when you watch One Man and his Gundogs. In this world of increasing connectivity, competition and complications, the fact that a man in a field with his beloved dogs can achieve this and enrapture and lift his audience is nothing short of astounding.

Thank you and the dogs so much for a wonderful show Stephen.

Lorraine Taylor

Hi Stephen,

I have witnessed dozens of gundog demonstrations in the 40 years I have been involved with Gundog displays. But yours was the most entertaining and informative display of man and dog working together that I have ever seen! Just brilliant!

It was clear that the dogs were clearly enjoying what they were doing (not always the case in some demonstrations) and you were informative on what you were asking the dogs to do and informing the public of this. I thought the range of tricks your dogs performed was stunning!

Best wishes

Brian Willis, Secretary, West of England Heavy Horse Championship

Wessex Heavy Horse Show