Finish on a High!

Jul 112017

No matter how badly a training session may have gone, no matter how frustrated you may feel, no matter how many times Fido has bu****ed off, try to finish every training session on a positive note.

The best way to do this is to do something simple that you know Fido can do well. Even if this is a sit or a short recall. Then praise Fido to the heavens and end the session.

This ensures that Fido ends the session feeling good about himself, about you and he will look forward to the next time. If you end training on a low, Fido will also be low and won’t be so keen to do it all again ….

Demonstration Testimonials

“Stephen provides such an enthralling and thoroughly engaging display of dog/owner training that we’d have Stephen back at any future event – no question!

No matter how many times I’ve seen Stephen and his wonderful dogs in the ring, I’d watch him over and over as there’s always something to learn - or remind yourself again that you’re not doing!

On a personal note, both my collies (& myself) are so much happier having taken on board his very practical advice, given in a very straightforward and practical way. It’s great fun too! Look forward to see Stephen back at the Cranborne Chase Woodfair next time around!”

Linda Nunn, AONB Director

Cranborne Chase Woodfair, Breamore House, 3 & 4 October 2015

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

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

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

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

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