Is it too late to start gundog training with your dog?
After publishing our last blog “Why gundog training is for everyone, especially pets”, we were delighted to hear from so many pet gundog owners who felt inspired to explore breed-specific training even if they don’t plan on working their dog on a shoot.
But among the interest and excitement, a recurring question cropped up in our inboxes: "Have I left it too late to start?"
It’s a worry we hear often, not just via the Gundog Trainers Academy, but through our own gundog training businesses too, and it’s completely understandable.
There’s so much emphasis on starting your dog training young that it’s easy to feel like you’ve missed the boat if your gundog is already two, three, or older.
We have all heard the phrase “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, but for us, over the years, we’ve concluded that this really only applies to humans who are set in their ways and unwilling to try new ways of doing things.
Dogs, on the other hand, absolutely can learn new behaviours no matter how old they are, especially when we use the right methods and focus on positive reinforcement with high-value rewards.
Perhaps you didn’t realise until recently how gundog training could benefit your non-working pet gundog’s daily life. Maybe you’ve recently rehomed a gundog. Or it could be that life simply got in the way when your dog was younger - it happens. Whatever the reason, we want to reassure you - you haven’t missed your chance to start gundog training.
We have worked with hundreds of gundogs who didn’t start formal training until much later in life. Many of these dogs came to training at two years old or more, and not only did they take to it like a duck to water, but they also went on to become confident, content, and capable gundogs. Some became brilliant pets who were easier to live with, thanks to an outlet for their natural instincts, others went on to work on shoots, while others entered their first working tests.
All of them, regardless of age, proved one very important point: it’s absolutely possible to teach an older gundog new tricks.
In this blog, we’ll gently bust the myth that gundog training has an expiry date. We’ll walk you through why older dogs can still learn just as well (sometimes better!) than their younger counterparts, what realistic training goals might look like, and how to get started - whether you’ve got aspirations of one day working your dog or simply want to channel your pet gundog’s natural drive in a more structured, enriching way.
So, if you’ve been quietly wondering whether the opportunity has passed you by, we’re here to say this clearly: it hasn’t. There’s still so much you and your gundog can achieve together. Let’s explore what’s possible.
Why genetics trumps age when it comes to getting started with your gundog training
If you have a pet gundog or are new to the world of gundog training and have not done so yet, we encourage you to go back and read last month’s blog [https://gundogtrainersacademy.co.uk/blogs/news/why-gundog-training-is-for-everyone-especially-pets] to get a picture of what gundog training involves.
It's crucial to understand what training a gundog entails, because it’s probably a lot closer to your dog’s day-to-day current life than you might expect.
Firstly, while the idea of gundog work might conjure up images of muddy gundogs hunting through brambles or carrying dead quarry on shooting days, or dogs on social media doing mile-long retrieves, the core foundation skills we teach, like recall, heelwork, self-control aka steadiness, are all linked to the basis dog obedience which you might have started training already.
At its heart, too, gundog training is about giving your dog an outlet for their natural instincts in a structured, rewarding way. So whether you’ve got a Labrador who loves to carry your shoes off to their bed, a Spaniel who’s always got their nose down on scent, or a Vizsla who points on birds in the park, you will also be surprised at how many skills your gundog has “pre-programmed” into them.
Our breed-specific gundog training seeks to improve on and advance the basic obedience skills most people train their dogs, and combines it with redirecting, harnessing and fine-tuning the hunting, retrieving and pointing (for HPRs and Pointers and Setters) instincts into something that’s controlled and enjoyable for both of you.
When it comes to these instincts, each gundog is unique, which is why age is just one tiny factor in their training potential. Genetics play a significant part in how well a gundog will take to training and whether they will be a natural or will need a bit more encouragement and tuition.
It is true that those who get a puppy with the intention of training and working them on a shoot or competing do benefit from rewarding and encouraging the desired behaviours, such as delivery to hand, and discouraging unwanted ones, such as pulling on the lead, from as early as eight weeks old.
But we have also seen gundogs start their training as puppies who need a considerable amount of extra training just because of their natural genetics and individual personality.
Equally, it’s a common misconception that all gundogs must be trained from puppyhood. Dogs are lifelong learners, and if hunting and retrieving are successfully built into their genes, it will only take a little encouragement and time to mould them into a successful gundog.
The advantages of starting gundog training an older dog
At two years old and above, your gundog is safely past puppyhood and well into its young adult phase. While they may have developed some specific behavioural patterns already and picked up a few undesirable habits (like pulling on the lead!), they are still quite malleable and capable of learning new skills.
There are lots of pros to starting your gundog training with an older dog, such as:
Maturity:
Older dogs often have a longer attention span compared to puppies. This can be a huge asset in training, as they can focus better during sessions.
Adolescence is a thing of the past:
Dogs, like humans, go through a “terrible teenage” phase. They are no longer innocent puppies, and as young dogs with lots of hormones, they can become less responsive and more distracted by other dogs and scent, which can disrupt training.
Established personality:
You'll have a good grasp of your dog's personality and tendencies by two years old and up. This understanding allows for a more tailored training approach and can speed things up.
Physical readiness:
Physically, our gundogs, even the larger retriever and HPR breeds, are well-developed by two years old. This is beneficial for the physical demands of training, such as running, jumping and swimming. It means you don’t need to worry about their joints and reduces the risk of injuries.
Basics in place:
In many ways, gundog training is just core obedience with lots of twiddly bits and if you’re coming to gundog training later, there’s a high chance that you have still introduced some of the gundog essentials.
Of course, many pet gundog owners seek breed-specific training because they struggle to communicate with their dog in a distracting environment where the instinct to hunt and chase is greater than the desire to come back when called or walk nicely on the lead.
That said, by two years old, many dogs have started to learn and understand the basic cues needed, such as recall, sit and stay, and loose lead walking or heel work, which means we can get started on the more specific and fun work of teaching hunting and retrieving.
Challenges with training an older gundog and how to overcome them
While it’s never too late to start gundog training with an older gundog, it’s fair to say it comes with its own set of challenges.
Many gundogs who begin training later in life have already spent a year or more practising behaviours that aren’t quite what we’d want in a working or pet gundog.
While it can be difficult to admit that we’ve caused problematic behaviours, we all know that dogs learn through associations and what gets rewarded, gets repeated, and what gets punished, gets avoided.
This is true for all behaviours but to flesh out an example of how an older gundog might be impacted, we can look at one of the key issues we see (and it’s by no means limited to dogs who don’t start training until later in life!) which is delivery to hand - when the dog doesn’t want to bring the retrieve (e.g. the dummy, ball or toy) back and put it in their owner’s hand.
While you might not have intentionally punished your dog for retrieving or delivering to hand in the past, they might have had past negative experiences associated with carrying anything near you or giving up their items to you.
If you unknowingly spent a lot of time grabbing dangerous/poisonous/valuable things that they shouldn’t have out of their mouth when they were a puppy, they could have learned to keep away from you, that carrying things is wrong, or that you just want to steal their “treasure”.
On the other hand, you might have been actively rewarding your dog for unwanted behaviour. If your dog has always dropped their ball at your feet, and you have immediately thrown it for them again, your dog might think that’s exactly what you want and that their job is always to drop things at your feet.
Equally, it also might not be something you have actively rewarded, but instead a behaviour you’ve not managed or prevented. For instance, if your dog has always picked up their ball and proceeded to run around the garden or park with it, having lots of fun, it could now be a challenge to break this habit and get them to understand that they need to bring things straight to you instead.
This can be applied not just to delivery to hand but a whole range of gundog skills. But don’t let that put you off.
These habits haven’t been formed overnight, and they won’t disappear overnight either. It might feel like some of your initial training is focused more on undoing than progressing with new things, but these challenges can absolutely be overcome with the right approach, a bit of patience, and a good dose of consistency.
Force-free, positive reinforcement training - like the methods we use at the Gundog Trainers Academy - is designed to work with your dog, not against them. It’s not about “correcting” or punishing your past mistakes, but about helping your dog discover that new, desirable behaviours are far more rewarding.
Consistency is key, and short, regular training sessions will also make a huge difference. Start simple, work on one skill at a time, keep distractions low at first, and reward heavily for any signs of progress. Even five-minute sessions in the garden or during a walk can have a powerful impact.
Above all, remember this: older gundogs are perfectly capable of learning new behaviours. They just need your support to unlearn a few old ones along the way.
Start your gundog’s training today (no matter how old your dog is)
With the right approach, a bit of patience, and a genuine understanding of your gundog’s individual needs and instincts, it’s absolutely possible to build something special, no matter what age you’re starting at.
We’ve seen older dogs who began training well past their second birthday go on to work successfully in the field, taking part in beating days or picking up with confidence and joy. It might take a little longer to establish the foundations, but that doesn’t mean the opportunity has passed you by.
And if your gundog is a much-loved pet rather than a working companion, don’t underestimate the power of breed-specific training to transform your daily life. Even if recall isn’t quite perfect yet, or your dog’s enthusiasm sometimes runs ahead of their listening skills, giving them structured outlets to channel their natural drive can be a total game-changer. It can lead to a calmer, more focused, and more content dog - and a far less frustrated owner too.
Whether you’re hoping to step into the working world or simply want to enrich your pet gundog’s everyday life, it’s never too late to start building that bond.
If you would like to get started with gundog training, we always recommend thoroughly researching any potential trainers to ensure that you are comfortable with the methods they use.
All of our accredited gundog training instructors have successfully completed our Teacher’s Course and passed our full assessment process, which is accredited by the ABTC (Animal Behaviour Training Council). They are also required to adhere to our Code of Practice, so you can be confident that these trainers only use the most scientifically sound and ethical methods of animal training and strictly prohibit harsh handling and any punitive tools or techniques.
If you aren’t lucky enough to have a trainer near you, then our online training membership has been designed to help you get started with ethical, science-backed, non-coercive gundog training no matter where in the world you live.
Even if you have never trained a dog before, we'll walk you through everything you need to know. From learning theory and how to use a clicker, to identifying what motivates your individual gundog, the equipment you'll need, how to plan your training and the practical steps needed to teach your gundog all the foundation skills.
If you would like more information about the membership, please click here: https://gundogtrainersacademy.co.uk/pages/membership