With the increasing emphasis on sustainability it’s more important than ever that our gundogs are fully prepared for their vital role. Julie Collins from Dog & Field details an innovative range of training dummies to help you out. It’s November, the Guns have been slipped, the sloe gin is being poured and the last drive is over… but not for you. You’re stood facing thick brambles and high nettles with your best dog by your side and the keeper has just asked you to pick the birds the last Gun dropped in there somewhere. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for, a true test of your dog, your handling and your training. But now the nerves kick in, you begin to question all the choices you made when training your dog. Have I done enough? Will it pick the birds from that cover? Will it leave them there? Where’s that gin when you need it? Setting your dog up for success Being invited to bring a dog on a shoot is truly a joy and something we look forward to throughout the close season. And if there’s a chance ...