2024 Working Test Workshops

Two days of group gundog training in Mid Wales followed by the Mid Wales Working Gundog Society Working Test.

2024 working test workshop dates

Retrievers 
  • 6-8 September 2024 - FULL
    Training workshop on 6th and 7th, Mid Wales Working Gundog Society working test on 8th.

Spaniels
  • 20-22 September 2024 - FULL
    Training workshop on 20th and 21st, Mid Wales Working Gundog Society working test on 22nd.

Maximum of 6 handlers per workshop.

Two days of gundog training at Coed Y Gaer Fawr, near Newtown, Mid Wales followed by the opportunity to enter the Mid Wales Working Gundog Society Working Test.

Collette May of Completely Gundogs has been competing in working tests and trials with her Labradors for many years and has won numerous awards with all of her mature dogs.

Being a total novice to the sport 10 years ago, Collette had to step outside of her comfort zone and learn the hard way through trial and error, by giving it a go. Now she can share her knowledge with you to help you get started on your own journey into the world of gundog working tests and competitions.

Gundogs attending should be ready to enter a working test at novice level. This means they will have a reliable recall, good off lead heelwork, a stop whistle at distance, understanding of left, right and back directional casts, a reliable delivery to hand, and steadiness.

On Friday and Saturday the training focus will be on helping you and your dog to get in sync and in the zone ready for the working test on Sunday.

Exercises will be planned with typical working test scenarios in mind. Collette will be able to help guide you as to the best way to approach these set ups and will give feedback on performance.

Typically, this will include expanding your dog's skills of marking, taking memories and blinds in different and diverse terrain.

It will also improve your handler skills, particularly in being able to think on your feet if things aren't quite going to plan.

From a social point of view, you will also be able to get to know the group of other handlers attending the test.

Finally, time permitting, there will be a debrief on Sunday afternoon where Collette will be able to troubleshoot any issues which arose at the test.
Included in your booking: To help you make the most of this in-person workshop, included with your booking is a replay of the online Working Test: A Beginner's Guide masterclass. This covers everything you need to know from how to find out where the tests are held, to what standard your dog needs to be for each level, the J Reg's (rule book), and what to wear. This masterclass is a video replay which you can watch at any time. You will be able to pause, rewind and rewatch the video to make the most of the information provided.

Important note on the working test: Please note the workshops are breed specific to correspond with the working tests. The working tests are organised and run independently by the Mid Wales Working Gundog Society. As such, booking the Completely Gundogs workshop does not include your entry to, or guarantee you a run in, the working test. You will have to arrange, and pay for, your entry separately by sending a postal entry to the Mid Wales Working Gundog Society. You do not have to enter your dog in the working test to benefit from the workshop, in this instance it is recommended that you volunteer as a helper at the event instead.

Important note on shot: we often use starter pistols, bang boxes and dummy launchers. Shot will also be used at the working test. As such, dogs attending should be happy and confident with the sound of shot. If you have not introduced your dog to shot before, or if you know your dog is gun shy or nervous about the sound of shot, please mention this to me when you contact me to discuss if the workshop will be suitable.

Total cost: The total cost of the two day workshop is £210 per handler. Onsite accommodation is available with prices from £50 to £120 per night. The workshops do not include entry to the working test.

How to book your place: 
To ensure that your gundog is at the right level for the planned training activities and participation in the working test, please contact us directly to book.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Training costs are currently £105 per day, this includes a qualified trainer (Collette May) plus an assistant that is also a qualified dog trainer on most of the holidays.

We are located in Llandinam, Powys - detailed instructions of how to get here will be provided on booking.

In the area, there are two towns nearby which have food shops and pubs etc. Llanidloes is less than 10 mins away and Newtown is 15 mins away. Both have vets and a variety of shops. Nearest A&E for humans is Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth but we do have a small hospital for minor injuries in Llanidloes.  If you have time Hafren Forest and Clywedog Reservoir are both stunning and within 30 mins of here. Other places if you have time are the coast at Borth, Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons, Elan Valley and Lake Vrywy.  

We always block out extra night either side of these holidays if you wish to stay the night before and last day. If all our Mid Wales Holidays accommodation is fully booked, please note that there are plenty of dog-friendly BnBs locally too, which we can recommend based on previous clients' experiences. Our accommodation includes:

Y Beudy - £75 for the double / £70 for the single per night
Comprises of: 2 bedrooms: 1 double and 1 single, also the lounge has a double sofa-bed if needed. Sleeps 3 in bedrooms and a further 2 in the living room. A well equipped kitchen/diner, including a microwave, fridge/freezer, electric cooker and washing machine. A shower room with toilet and sink and built in cupboards. Large living room featuring beams, roof lights and exposed brick work. Freesat large TV and DVD player in the living room, board games and books provided. Stair gate provided to keep dogs off the carpeted areas if dirty. Oil central heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wifi all included. Y Beudy has multiple sitting-out areas with beautiful views all around. Use of the barbecue, private garden, ample parking, cycle store and kennel available on request. It is all on the ground floor however there are a few steps up to the living room and up to the double bedroom.

Penrhyllan - £120 per night
Comprises of: 1 double bedroom with oak beams and vaulted ceiling, also the lounge has a double sofa-bed if needed. Sleeps 2 in bedroom and a further 2 in the living room. A well equipped kitchen/diner, including a microwave, fridge/freezer, cooker and washing machine. A shower room with toilet and sink and built in cupboards. Large open plan lounge/kitchen diner featuring oak beams, sofa bed, TV, DVD player and Sky Q box with Netflix and sports. Hard floors throughout the living areas. Central heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wifi all included. Multiple sitting-out areas with beautiful views all around. Use of the barbecue, private garden, ample parking, cycle store and kennel available on request. All on the ground floor. This cottage has wonderful oak beams and great views of the valley and mountains.

Caravans - £50 per night
We have 2 x 2/4 bed touring caravans located at the bottom of the yard next to the fields. The views are the best on the site and access for the dog’s straight to the fields is a bonus. The caravans are fully equipped with bathroom including a shower, toilet, oven/hob, microwave, dining table, heating and all the kitchen equipment you will need. The awnings give you more space for the outdoor gear. The caravans are all dog friendly and suitable for those that prefer to have their own space during the gundog holidays or those looking for a cheaper option to the cottage. We have auto fill water containers so no need to keep filling them up and electric hook up to the caravans. All vans have heaters that warm them up really quick in those cooler months. Space for parking next to each van.

We start at 9.30am and finish at 3.30pm each day. We break at midday for an hour for lunch. Please note that this is all based on the dogs, for instance we may take an early lunch if they need a break and we may finish early if they are getting tired.

No, you will have to bring your own food. We do have tea/coffee facilities and cakes and biscuits for breaks, but there are too many regulations to follow if we cater! We also try to arrange on meal out at a local pub or restaurant for those interested in socialising. 

Yes, it is now fully secure as we have added a gate to the yard. The fields and woodland are all stock fenced too.

There is plenty of parking next to the accommodation both at the top of the yard and at the bottom by the caravans. We are at the end of a very quiet lane with only one other house, so no one comes up to the house except for deliveries.

All the accommodation options are dog friendly so they can be with you inside. However please use your common sense and do not let them in the accommodation if wet and muddy. There are plenty of taps and hoses to clean them off and towels on request if you have forgotten yours. You can put them in your vehicles or the kennel temporarily until clean and dry if easier. Please do not let them on the furniture and carpeted areas unless clean and dry, stair gate is provided in the cottage and the awning can be used if using the caravan.

We also have one kennel that can sleep 2-4 dogs (depending on size) and a stable that can be used as a large kennel too. Please crate your dogs or use the kennel or cars if you are leaving them unattended. Damage has been done to the property previously due to dogs getting stressed being left while another dog is being trained. 

For training, please bring a bag suitable to carry a few dummies, a few dummies, treats, lead, whistle, and any other toys you use as a reward for your dog. A long line if your dog needs one too.   The weather is often changeable here so lightweight layers are best with good quality waterproofs for the showers. The barn and kennel area can be used to hand wet coats and store boots etc to save bringing them inside.

If you are staying with us, please bring everything that you would bring to a self-catering holiday property. We provide linen, cleaning products and loo roll but please bring your own towels, food for yourself and your dogs and anything else your dogs will need. We have spare bowls, blankets and towels for the dogs if required.

Yes, we have two big freezers empty ready to turn on when guests arrive. Also, there are two spare fridges for lunches and treats for those not staying on site. These can be found in our double garage and barn.

Yes, in the cottages but it does not quite reach the caravans. We do have incredibly good mobile reception though. If requ ired, you can come up to the house to get WiFi or borrow one of our MiFi boxes.

Yes, that’s fine as long as you let us know at the beginning, so we provide you with suitable accommodation.

Yes, you can but please ensure they are both happy to be left while you take the other dog out. It is not fair on the dog or other guests if they bark the entire time they are left.