The Foundation Certificate in Pet Gundog Training

Lez Graham launched The Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor programme in 2016, to train trainers in this fabulous specialism so that owners of pet gundogs could attend gundog training with confidence, knowing that they, and their dogs, were in the hands of knowledgeable and rigorously trained experts who are the leaders in their field.

Ten years on, Lez has taken apart the original programme and put it back together over two distinct stages one to allow those who wanted the knowledge and the practical experience of training their dogs to a high level but didn’t want to train others and another for those who wanted to set up as gundog trainers and be part of the Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor team.

Taught over 9 months, this fabulous course focuses on all of the training and handling skills required to not only train a gundog, but also to ensure that students are confident training the various aspects of pet dog ownership from puppyhood to old age.

The Foundation Certificate in Pet Gundog Training includes nine monthly written assignments which are designed to expand your underpinning knowledge from the evolution of the domestic dog through to common canine behaviour problems and understanding aggression.

Combined with the written assignments will be practical training assignments designed to stretch your current training, from both a pet perspective and a gundog training one, helping to prepare you for the two 4-day workshops which are held in April and September. In keeping with the key values of The Pet Gundog, the emphasis is on age-appropriate and ability-appropriate training, ensuring that our dogs' physical well-being is taken into account at all times.

In addition to gaining the Foundation Certificate in Pet Gundog Training, successful students can also achieve an OFQUAL-regulated Level 3 Certificate in Canine Training & Behaviour.

Throughout the programme Lez Graham will be teaching and mentoring in her unique style while being ably assisted by Richard Reeve and Christine Collins. This, combined with monthly Zoom coaching sessions, online chat and access to The Pet Gundog Club, makes it so more than a training course: it is a comprehensive, fully integrated mentoring and professional development programme which embraces the highest standards of teaching, training, and learning.

The practical training elements of the Foundation Certificate in Pet Gundog Training include but are not limited to:-

• Loose lead walking
• Sit-Stand–Down-Come
• Recall to heel
• Steadiness
• Stop on the whistle
• Down at distance
• As well as good manners at home

Plus:-

• Marked and Memory retrieves
• Lefts, Rights and Gobacks
• Blind Retrieves and Hunting

As well as the correct use of everyday dog training equipment, including, but not limited to:-

• The Flat Collar
• Half check
• Headcollars and Harnesses
• The Slip Lead

Plus:-

• Dummies, including feather and fur
• The Jump Pen
• The starter pistol
• Lez Graham Retrieving Roll

The underpinning knowledge comprising the Foundation Certificate in Pet Gundog Training combined with the Level 3 Certificate in Canine Training & Behaviour includes amongst other things:-

• The evolution and domestication of the dog
• The natural behaviour of wild canids and how this influences domestic dog behaviour
• Natural ethology and communication of the dog
• The dogs’ emotions and their implications
• The principles of dog training
• The theory of dog training and conditioning methodologies
• Dog handling and basic training
• Dog training equipment and design
• The causes, prevention and diagnoses of canine behaviour problems
• The triggers, treatment and prognosis of behavioural issues in domesticated dogs
• How dogs learn and canine motivation

Course fees for the Foundation Certificate in Pet Gundog Training: £3,500, with payment options available.
If you'd like further information, please contact theoffice@thepetgundog.co.uk

The Foundation Certificate in Pet Gundog Training is a pre-requisite for the Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor programme.

Richard Reeve APGI^A, is an Advanced Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor and a Master Professional Dog Training Instructor with the Guild of Dog Trainers.

Based in Norwich, Richard runs fortnightly pet gundog training classes as well as one to sessions and works to modify the wayward behaviour of dogs of any breed; he also teaches on behalf of the Mid-Norfolk Gundog Club.

As well as the two Level 3 Certificates gained as part of the APGI programme, Richard also holds a Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance, a Level 4 Diploma in Canine Welfare, Training & Behaviour and a Level 3 Award for Educators in the Canine & Feline Sector.

Christine Collins  APGI^A, is an Advanced Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor and a Trained for Life Accredited trainer.

Based in rural Somerset, Christine runs regular group classes from puppy to advanced, predominantly for gundogs but also obedience groups for wayward dogs of any breed.

Christine is an experienced competitor in Gundog Working tests and is actively engaged with some of local gundog clubs.

As well as the two Level 3 Certificates gained as part of the APGI programme, Christine also holds a Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance and a Level 3 Award for Educators in the Canine & Feline Sector.