Sight for Sore Eyes!

Dec 262016

There’s a tradition locally whereby dogs and their owners gather on Christmas morning on Salisbury Plain for a brisk hill walk prior to gorging on Turkey and trimmings. Nothing unusual in that ….? Except that a onesie or Christmas attire are prerequisites to take part.

Here is just a few of our gundog trainers’ group – 10 in all, all looking completely ridiculous. As a forfeit, I had to promise to post a sample of photos of the loonies on the Plain.

So here they are, foxy, penguin, rabbit, Bambi + Santas. If someone had told me when I was in uniform that in 2016 I would be dressed in a penguin onesie tramping about Salisbury Plain with other nutters, I would have referred them to the MO for an immediate psychiatric assessment.

Demonstration Testimonials

Steve put on a very entertaining and informative display recently at the Ellingham & Ringwood Show. All aspects of dog training were demonstrated, from the very first actions with your brand new puppy to the high levels of training expected of more experienced dogs that are ready to go into the shooting field. Added to these elements were some of Steve's special tricks showing that dog training can be fun. The crowd around us certainly enjoyed watching the display as much as we did; there was something for every person at the show ground to enjoy.

If you are ever able to watch one of Steve's displays we would highly recommend you do so; it's guaranteed that you will enjoy it and there are always plenty of tips and advice to take home with you. It will certainly be different to any other display you are ever likely to see.

Matt & Martine Blake.

8 August 2015 - Ellingham & Ringwood Show

Warminster Journal

Friday 13 Sep 2013

"Highlight of the day was Stephen Harrison's demonstration of dog training methods, gundog skills and tricks - with the help of Springer Spaniel Poppy and Labrador puppy Daisy.

He showed basic dog training techniques and also how gundogs hunt and retrieve.

The most popular part of the 30 minute show was a fun display of tricks by Poppy worthy of Britain's Got Talent's Pudsey. She balanced a sausage on her nose, danced, walked backwards, walked on Stephen's toes, did meerkat impressions, saluted and won everyone's heart".

Warminster Carnival 2013

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,

The Wessex Country Fair was thrilled to welcome you and your dogs back for a second year by popular request. Both you and the dogs were a huge hit again: the audience was once again thrilled by the level of obedience and skill shown, and thanks to your unique approach of breaking down the training to show how the dogs are taught, everyone was held spell bound for the whole display. I'm sure some went home inspired to improve the obedience of their own dogs!

It was lovely to see you and your team again, and please pass on my thanks to them for giving up their day to support the hospice.

Thank you so much for all of your support, and for adding so much to the show.

Kind regards,

Rachel Turnbull

Fundraising Officer, Salisbury Hospice Charity

16 August 2015 - Wessex Country Fair

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

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