Training

Demonstration Testimonials

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

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

Bryn Parry OBE, co-founder and CEO OF Help for Heroes, wrote:

It was good to meet you this afternoon and to see your superb dog demonstration and to get advice on wayward spaniels! Good to meet you and I look forward to meeting again.

Best wishes

Bryn

Samantha Male, the Regional Coordinator at Help for Heroes, wrote:

Thank you so much for attending our first ever Band of Brothers and Band of Sisters summer fete. Your gun dog show was fantastic, and I am so glad that you could be a part of the day.

Ali Richmond, a Manager at Help for Heroes, wrote:

Thank you so much for coming along to the Fete at Tedworth House. The dog display was fantastic and we have had some great feedback. I have got a large hairy golden doodle that could do with some of your magic touch!

Help for Heroes

"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

Dear Stephen,

I was extremely happy and impressed at how everything went off. Our correspondence before the event was very plain and straight forward, which, from an organiser's point of view, was most helpful.

On the day your demonstration was extremely informative and presented in an interesting and friendly fashion. Everyone enjoyed the first Dog’s basic training display and how you built on each stage as time went on, for a young dog it certainly showed what could be achieved by kindness and expert knowledge. The little Dog has a bright future ahead!

Poppy, the star of the show, was quite brilliant, not only in all her Gundog training but also the very entertaining tricks etc. she performed on the day. It was a great display and demonstration.

Provisionally, I would like to book you for next year, it is always the last Saturday in July, I will confirm everything after our next committee meeting later in the month.

Well done for a great display and once again many thanks.

Best wishes,

David Coley, Show Organiser

Shrewton Summer Show