Training

Demonstration Testimonials

From: David J Nobbs, Shoot Captain, Durrington Shoot

24 June 2013

Dear Mr Harrison,

I visited Winterbourne Church Fete on 23 June and was intrigued with your gundog demonstration. I must say that I have never seen such a wonderful display.

I have been involved in gundog scurries and retrieving competitions well in excess of 20 years. As a shooting man and springer spaniel owner, I have some insight into gundog trials.

In my opinion, your springer spaniel was the best I have ever seen, very steady and responsive to whistle and hand signals. You must be very proud of her, and so you should be. Congratulations on a wonderful display.

Yours sincerely,

David Nobbs

Winterbourne Fete

At today’s Warminster Carnival, gundog trainer Stephen Harrison and his dog Poppy gave a training demonstration and performed tricks to rapturous applause.

Fans of “Britain’s Got Talent” will have seen the dog “Pudsey” win the show and with it, £500,000 doing tricks like walking on his owner Ashleigh’s feet, walking on his hind legs, albeit flawlessly to music. Poppy did all this and more, including balancing a sausage on her nose until being allowed to eat it and carrying another sausage to her master, also uneaten.

Warminster Web

Warminster Carnival 2012

It was a great privilege to witness Poppy and Stephen's gundog training display at our Fete in Newton Tony this year showing us all how it should be done. They made it all look so easy. I can safely say that I have never seen a gundog display as good as this – ever. Training tips, gundog skills, tricks – it had it all, everything explained in simple terms by Stephen as he went along. You could sense local dog owners watching with total admiration yet knowing their own dog would not even get off first base. Poppy clearly knows her stuff and was quite outstanding in demonstrating her skills and showing all the results of Stephen's expert tutelage.

What really stole the show was the amazing array of tricks that Stephen & Poppy perform together. It was so entertaining and breathtaking to see man and dog working in complete harmony. The audience loved it, the children in particular. It was certainly a great crowd puller. We really hope they will agree to come back next year"

Simon Hunt, Chairman of the Fete Committee.

Newton Tony Fete 2012

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

"After watching your gundog training display at the Wessex Country Fair on 16th August, I feel I must offer my congratulations. Your wonderfully sympathetic and compassionate approach to the training of both Daisy and Poppy with remarkable results, has my total admiration. It was wonderful to watch, you had us spellbound. Your 'unconventional' method just seems so natural and I can only hope that future dog owners take note and follow your teaching, I most certainly will. Thank you."

Jackie Ward, Wilton

A great demonstration at the Wessex Country Fair on 16 August. Wonderful to see Stephen, Daisy and Poppy in action, certainly the highlight of the day combining information, skill and great humour. My partner, Jenny, has fallen in love with Poppy.

Tony Chalcroft, Upavon

16 August 2014 - Wessex Country Fair