Working Through Training Challenges

raining isn’t always smooth. Here’s how to work through challenges – from distracted recalls to hunting-obsessed spaniels – and grow as a team.

Working Through Training Challenges

Training a gundog is never a straight, predictable path. There are days when everything seems to fall into place and the progress feels exciting – and then there are days when your dog seems to have forgotten the basics altogether. These dips aren’t failures, they’re a normal and valuable part of the training journey. How we work through them makes all the difference, not only to our dog’s learning but also to the strength of our partnership.

Every Dog, Every Day, is Different

One of the key things I always remind handlers in my groups is to work with the dog you have in front of you today. Yesterday’s sit may have been rock solid, but today distractions or tiredness could make it wobbly. Tomorrow, the same dog may sail through the exercise again. Dogs, like us, have ups and downs, and being flexible with our expectations is crucial.

Recognising Challenges

Training challenges come in many shapes and sizes. Some of the most common we see in group sessions include:

A dog that struggles to concentrate around other dogs, people, or noises.
A youngster that suddenly decides recall isn’t nearly as fun as running free.
A retrieve that falls apart when new textures, shapes, or weights are introduced.
A steady dog that wobbles when excitement levels are high in the field.
A spaniel that suddenly discovers how much he loves hunting – and then finds it hard to do anything else.

That last one is a classic. Many spaniels, once they get a taste for hunting, want to do it all the time. In group training, it can look like the dog that charges off nose-down, ignoring recalls, retrieves, and even the handler, simply because hunting is so rewarding in itself.

This isn’t the dog being ‘naughty’; it’s a reminder that hunting should be a team sport, not a solo pursuit. Our role as handlers is to show the dog that the joy of hunting is shared with us – that checking in, responding to cues, and working within the boundaries we set actually unlocks even more opportunities to do the thing they love.

Breaking it Down

When faced with these kinds of challenges, the temptation can be to push harder – but often the solution is to step back, simplify, and set the dog up to succeed.

For the spaniel who is obsessed with hunting, we break exercises into short, controlled patterns with lots of rewards for checking back in with the handler. That balance between freedom and teamwork is what makes hunting so special.
For a wobbly sit-to-whistle, we might revisit the behaviour in a quiet corner of the field before asking for it in the middle of a busy group exercise.
For recall struggles, we practise in short, fun bursts with high-value reinforcement before layering in distractions.
For dogs struggling with delivery, we strip things right back to tidy handovers with familiar items before reintroducing more challenging textures or game.

Group training is brilliant for this because it naturally provides distractions and a supportive environment. One dog’s challenge often mirrors another’s, so handlers can see they’re not alone – and that progress is possible. Importantly, the group also creates opportunities to practise teamwork skills, teaching dogs that even in the presence of others, they are still working with their handler as a unit.

Patience and Perspective

It’s easy to feel frustrated when your dog seems to backslide, especially in a group where it looks like everyone else is progressing smoothly. But it’s important to remember: learning isn’t linear. Every dip is part of the process, and often, working through a tough patch is what creates the biggest breakthroughs.

As a trainer, I see the most progress in handlers who show resilience, patience, and a willingness to laugh when things don’t go to plan. That mindset not only helps the dog but also makes training far more enjoyable.

Celebrate the Journey

Each challenge worked through adds another layer to the dog’s skills and, more importantly, to your relationship together. That bond – the trust, the communication, the teamwork – is what really matters, whether you’re training for the shooting field, Gundog Club assessments, or simply enjoying a well-mannered companion.

At the heart of it all, remember this: hunting, retrieving, heelwork – every part of gundog training – should always be a shared activity. Hunting in particular should never be a solo pursuit; it is a team sport, where handler and dog work in partnership. When we face challenges with that mindset, we move away from control battles and towards true cooperation.

So the next time training feels tricky, take a step back, breathe, and remind yourself: the challenge you’re facing today is tomorrow’s breakthrough in the making – and it’s one you and your dog will reach together.