How to train your dogs - once and for all

In this article from My Countryside magazine, we speak to Ben Randall and Kristian Forsberg, co-founders of Gundog App, a reference tool that can help you train your gundog.

Owners of gundog breeds around the world have joined Gundog app, training their dog with the help of their smartphone. Ben Randall is a champion trainer and the co-founder of the app: "Your dog walks to heel. That is, until you meet another dog. Or perhaps they pull like a train and don't listen to whistle commands," he says. "That's the challenge with dogs generally. Without the basics, it's hard to enjoy your dog and, the irony is, it's pretty easy to teach."

Now, of course he would say that. Ben (@beggarbush on Instagram) has spent the last three decades learning how dogs work. Celebrities send their dogs to be trained at his facility in Herefordshire, and for good reason. He has made up multiple winners and champions at field trial and championship level.

"The majority of my clients are either country people or weekenders that are looking to spend time in the great outdoors with their dogs. Whether or not they shoot, they are looking for a dog that they can trust and will add to the fun."

Gundog breeds are some of the most popular in the UK. Labradors are practically an institution. Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels and other gundog breeds are increasingly seen as a great choice because of their willingness to please as well as being great family pets. However, this is only true if you know how to train them.

"We believe in a better way of doing things," says Kristian Forsberg, Ben's partner at Gundog App.

In 2018, Kristian bought Cocker Spaniel George, who he planned to train as his first working gundog. What ensued was to be a real test. "It wasn't for a lack of effort. I had read three books cover to cover and was genuinely excited about the training. I just wasn't able to put the theory into practice."

He went to several trainers, but it was Ben who helped him turn it around. In Kristian's words: "I was genuinely at the point of giving up until I heard about a trainer in Herefordshire who was the first back-to-back cocker champion in decades. I thought if anyone can help it will be him."

And it turns out he could. After a few monthly visits, Kristian and George were ready to go out shooting together. He says: "The main thing that worked for us was the psychology of Ben's training – not only does it work, but you feel really connected to your dog."

Ben explains: "The Beggarbush Foundations training is all about encouraging your dog to do the right thing. Rather than chasing instant gratification, my dogs understand that if they do the right thing, they will get a reward from me, which they will find far more satisfying. If they walk to heel, they will eventually get a piece of kibble. Similarly, if they sit patiently on the peg, I will send them for a retrieve at the end of the drive. It makes other distractions far less appealing."

Kristian and George's training got them onto the shooting field. Now the same training is helping thousands more to have better relationships with their dogs. Kristian says: "From my own experience, I know how difficult it is to access quality gundog training. You may not live near someone who can help you improve and even if you do, it can be hard to progress between lessons. I had a three-hour round trip to see Ben, and some months I progressed more than others. That's why we developed Gundog App. It shows you everything you need."

Gundog App gives you access to more than 300 videos on your smartphone so you can train your gundog breed at your own pace and if you have questions, you can tune in to their monthly webinar. Kristian says: "Basically it's the app I wish I'd had when training George."

Ben adds: "It takes out all the guesswork. Now on every walk, you can head out with a plan on what to train to get the most out of your partnership."