Cooper’s First Shoot – through the client’s eyes

The journey from our first lesson with Damian to Cooper’s first shoot was full of twists and turns but with an overwhelming sense of achievement and pride that: ‘we did it! and he can do it!’.

Cooper is a 16-month old Fox Red Labrador. He is a very energetic dog that loved to push his boundaries and me to the absolute limit.

Throughout his training in the last 12 months we have had to address many issues, including general disobedience, dominance, unsteadiness and recall. The main aim being that he can both work in the field and also be a well behaved family dog.

The training exercises and the homework set by Damian enabled us to work on these issues, not without sometimes feeling as if the training was going backwards, seeming that Cooper had forgotten everything or not having his best lesson. My advice, stick with it, listen to the advice and accept that no dog is perfect and all have their off days.

So after 12 months’ hard work, by Cooper, Damian and myself, Cooper’s first shoot day was upon us.

During the week before the shoot, Cooper was in residence with Damian due to me being away with work. This although unplanned, gave me another bit of confidence that Cooper was going to do well, but was still nervous that he could show me up!

The shoot is a small one in Goosnargh, Lancashire with six guns. Cooper being the only Lab there, the rest being Cocker Spaniels of varying age, experience and training.

Throughout the day and various drives, Cooper was great, a few corrections needed however, but still impressive for his first shoot.

He sat steady, retrieved and took directions well and all birds were delivered to hand. Confidence growing throughout the day, that ‘he can really do this!’.

The sense of both relief and joy that he wasn’t showing me up was unbelievable! Even better the comments from others of how well behaved he was and how well he was doing for a young dog.

Seeing the hard work and training paying off was a real high, and seeing Cooper loving what he was doing was also great. Both of us can’t wait for the next one!

Posted: November 4, 2019