The Dummy Launcher Workshop: This Is Where It Gets Serious

There's a moment at the shooting field - or the working test, or even just a training session with other handlers watching - where you realise the retrieve isn't the problem.

It's everything before the retrieve.

The dog that breaks on the shot. The one that's already running before you've even lifted a finger. The one you've asked to sit three times and it's sat twice and the third time you just gave up because everyone's watching. You know the one. It might be yours.

That's not a retrieve problem. That's a steadiness problem. And steadiness, when it goes wrong at distance and under shot, is a very specific thing to fix.

That's exactly what this workshop is built for.

What the Dummy Launcher Workshop Actually Is

The Train to Win Dummy Launcher Workshop - Progression and Steadiness - is the next step on from the Introduction to Shot session. If your dog has already been through that, or has solid exposure to shot in controlled conditions, this is where you build on it properly.

It's not a follow-along class. It's structured, purposeful, and designed to push both you and your dog in the right ways.

Over 90 minutes at The Bunker Training Ground in Sprotbrough, you'll be working through:

• Longer distance retrieves - because marking ability doesn't develop by throwing a dummy six metres by hand

• Varied launcher types and dummy weights - different equipment produces different challenges, and your dog needs to handle all of it

• Steadiness under shot - the controlled, managed exposure that builds a calm, reliable response rather than a scrambled one

• Handler mechanics - using launchers safely and effectively isn't just a safety point. It's a training point. How you operate changes what the dog does.

The goal by the end of the session: a dog that marks well, holds steady, and responds properly. A handler who knows how to create that, not just hope for it.

Why This Workshop Matters - More Than You Might Think

Here's the thing about steadiness.

Most handlers notice it when it falls apart in public. The shot goes off, the dog goes, and you're standing there calling its name like it's ever listened to that. It's one of those things where it's fine until it absolutely isn't.

What they don't realise - and this is the part worth paying attention to - is that steadiness at distance under shot is a completely different skill from steadiness at close range in a quiet field. The dog that holds beautifully on a calm Sunday morning training session can be a completely different animal when a launcher goes off at 30 metres.

That gap between what a dog can do and what it will do under pressure is where competitions are lost. Where shooting days get embarrassing. Where you start wondering if the problem is the dog.

It's not the dog. Nine times out of ten, it's never been the dog.

This workshop builds the bridge between what your dog knows and what it actually does when it counts.

What to Bring

Keep it simple:

• Dummies - canvas, water, tennis ball, any variation you've got

• Slip lead

• Whistle

• A sense of humour - you'll need it, I promise you that

One important note: this workshop is the progression from the Introduction to Shot session. If your dog hasn't been through that, or hasn't been exposed to shot in a managed environment before, this isn't the right starting point. Book a 1-to-1 first and get that foundation in place. And if your dog has ever shown any negative reaction to loud noises or shot sounds, please reach out directly before booking - a group workshop isn't the right setting to work through that, and a 1-to-1 gives it the proper attention it needs.

Come to this session ready to work. Come curious. Come with the dog you've got, not the dog you wish you had - that's what we're here for.

The Details

Date: Thursday 27th August Location: The Bunker Training Ground, Sprotbrough, Doncaster DN5 7QL Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Price: £18 Who it's for: Kirkbourne club members at all levels - provided you've completed the Introduction to Shot workshop

Spaces go fast. That's not a phrase. Sessions here genuinely sell out - sometimes in minutes. If you're thinking about it, book it.

👉 Book your place here

Any questions before you book? Call 07967 485487 or drop an email to info@kirkbournespaniels.co.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have completed the Introduction to Shot Workshop before attending? Yes - this session is specifically designed as the next progression from Introduction to Shot. If your dog hasn't been through that workshop, or hasn't had proper controlled exposure to shot before, this isn't the right entry point. Start there, build that foundation, then come to this.

My dog is quite advanced - is this workshop still useful? The session is open to all levels, and steadiness under shot at distance is something that benefits every dog regardless of where they're at. Even well-trained dogs can have gaps that only show up at range or under real pressure. Most handlers find something worth working on.

What if my dog has shown a reaction to loud noises in the past? Don't book this workshop. Contact the team directly and book a 1-to-1 instead. A group setting with a dummy launcher isn't the right environment for desensitisation work - it needs to be managed individually and carefully.

Is it just for all gundog breeds? Yes, the session works across all gundog breeds. The principles - marking, steadiness, response to shot - apply regardless of breed. If you're unsure whether it's right for your dog, get in touch before booking.

What happens if I can't make it after booking? Bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable unless the session is cancelled by the organiser. Please only book if you're confident you can attend.