Puppy and Gundog Training in Hampshire and Wiltshire
Gundog Trainer
Helping you understand, train and enjoy your gundog
Living with a gundog can be hugely rewarding, but those natural instincts that make them such capable working dogs can sometimes make everyday life a little challenging too.
I help owners understand what makes their dog tick and use positive, reward-based training to develop the skills that matter – from connection, recall and heelwork through to retrieving, steadiness and more advanced gundog work.
Whether you want a well-trained family companion, would like to explore gundog training for fun, or have ambitions to work or compete with your dog, I’ll help you build the foundations you need to progress.
I offer positive, reward-based puppy and gundog training in Andover, Hampshire and Marlborough, Wiltshire, helping owners understand what makes their dog tick and develop the skills that matter…
Gundog training isn’t just for working dogs
You don’t need to work your dog on a shoot to benefit from gundog training.
If your Labrador disappears over the horizon at the first interesting smell, your spaniel would rather hunt than listen to you, or your retriever thinks every thrown object belongs to them, understanding those natural instincts can make an enormous difference to your training.
Rather than trying to suppress the things your dog was bred to do, I’ll show you how to work with those instincts, develop better communication and give them an appropriate outlet for their natural abilities.
Start where you are
Every dog and handler comes to training with a different level of experience, so you don’t need to worry about having everything in place before you start.
A dog who can sit, recall and walk nicely indoors may find those same skills much harder outside, where there are smells, wildlife, other dogs and a whole world of distractions competing for their attention.
That’s why I start by establishing the foundations and build from there, breaking training down into manageable steps and progressing at a pace that’s right for you and your dog.
Find the right training for you
Puppy Training
Give your puppy the best possible start while beginning to develop the skills you’ll need as they grow.
My puppy training focuses on connection, engagement and practical foundations, helping you understand your puppy and prepare for the challenges that can come as they become more independent.
Foundation Gundog Training
New to gundog training, or ready to take skills learnt indoors into a more challenging outdoor environment?
Foundation training introduces the core skills of heelwork, recall, steadiness, retrieving, hunting, whistle work and placeboard training. No previous gundog training is required.
Explore Foundation Gundog Training
Progressive Gundog Training
For dogs and handlers ready to take their foundations further.
Progressive training develops greater distance, control and confidence as we begin bringing individual skills together into more challenging gundog exercises.
One-to-One Training
Sometimes you need to work on something specific.
A one-to-one gives us time to look closely at what’s happening, establish where you and your dog are now and put together a practical way forward.
Support that continues between classes
Training doesn’t stop when you leave the field.
I know it’s easy to understand an exercise while I’m standing beside you, then get home and think, “Now, how exactly did Jill say to do that?”
My courses include comprehensive training notes and demonstration videos so you have something to refer back to when you practise at home.
You’ll also have access to a private WhatsApp group for your class, where you can ask questions, share progress and get support between sessions.
Because it’s what happens between classes that often makes the biggest difference.
Small groups. Individual dogs.
I deliberately keep my group classes small.
It gives me time to watch each dog and handler properly, offer individual feedback and adapt exercises when something isn’t quite working.
I’m much more interested in helping you and your dog understand an exercise well than rushing through a list simply because it’s on the lesson plan.
Sometimes doing two things really well is far more useful than doing six things badly.
How far would you like to go?
There isn’t one end goal for gundog training.
You might simply want a Labrador you can enjoy walking without wondering which county they’ll be in five minutes later.
You might discover that you love gundog training and want to develop more advanced skills.
Or you may eventually want to work your dog, enter working tests or compete.
My training is designed to give you a pathway from those first foundations onwards, allowing you and your dog to progress as far as you’d like to go.
Meet Jill
I’m a qualified gundog trainer and assessor with many years’ experience training, working and competing with my own Labradors.
My approach combines practical gundog experience with an understanding of how dogs learn. Just as importantly, I want you to understand the training too.
I use positive, reward-based methods and break skills into achievable stages, helping you develop a dog who understands what’s being asked and a handler who knows how to help them succeed.
Ready to get started?
Whether you’re starting with a puppy, taking your first steps into gundog training or looking to develop skills you already have, find the training that’s right for you and your dog.
Destructive Behaviour – Toilet Training – Food Scavenging – Jumping Up – Pulling on the Lead – Recall – Over Excitement.
Here’s some feedback from clients Jill has helped
A fantastic gundog trainer who has worked wonders.
My flatcoatted retriever was a massive handful when we started gundog training with Jill. I wondered if he would ever be more than the nutty, goofy clown. Jill was kind, supportive and very clear on her instructions and training. My pup has quite literally transformed before our eyes!
Still goofy (and we love that) but being properly trained to do the job that he was bread for has improved his temperament and attitude no end.
All this after only six sessions and lots of practicing in between. I must say that I’m glad that the sessions are two weeks apart so that I had plenty of time to practice sufficiently with my pup and make real progress without feeling overwhelmed by more sessions looming large on the horizon. A perfect balance of clear instruction and time to put it into practice.
Expert Gundog Coaching from a Truly Skilled Trainer
I recently took my young dog Ronnie to Jill’s gundog classes and was really impressed.
From the very first session, Jill’s calm, confident approach put both of us at ease. She has a fantastic way of breaking down each skill so that it’s easy to understand and even easier for the dogs to follow.
Ronnie made noticeable progress every week—his recall, steadiness, and general focus really improved. Jill tailored her guidance to suit his personality, keeping him motivated while maintaining a high standard of control and consistency.
What really stood out was Jill’s ability to create a supportive, positive environment. She’s encouraging, incredibly knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile to help each handler-and-dog team succeed.
I would highly recommend Jill’s gundog classes to anyone looking to build a solid foundation with their dog. Ronnie and I are already looking forward to the next course!
Helped to gain confidence in her retrieving, especially with her swimming.
“Jill is a fantastic dog trainer and has been so patient with Elsa, my sensitive Labrador. She has really helped her come out of her shell and gain confidence in her retrieving, especially with her swimming at the water training day!”
Gundog Training Courses
Have you got a gundog breed at home? Would you like to train him/her for the shooting field, or would you just like to train your dog to a high level? I can help with these scenarios.
Puppy Training Courses
When you first bring a puppy home it can be very exciting but daunting all at the same time, so I am on hand to come and guide you through those key canine development stages to ensure that your puppy grows up to be well-mannered.