Activdogs is now Steven Symonds — Dog Behaviour & Training. A name that better reflects the work I do.
Activdogs is now Steven Symonds — Dog Behaviour & Training. A name that better reflects the work I do.
Stop fighting the instincts. Give them somewhere useful to go.
Spaniels, Labradors, retrievers and other gundog breeds were selected to search, carry, follow scent, work at distance and stay connected to a handler. Thoughtful gundog-inspired training can turn those tendencies into part of a much richer ordinary walk.
The aim is not to turn a pet dog into a shoot-day gundog. It is to borrow the pieces that make sense in ordinary life: searching with purpose, returning, waiting, carrying, orienting back to you and working together outdoors.
Build engagement and the habit of working together when the environment is interesting.
Search, retrieve, carry, wait and follow scent in ways that have structure and purpose.
Use whistle work, direction changes and steadiness as part of normal outdoor life.
Engagement outdoors · hunting and search games · steadiness and waiting · recall and whistle work · retrieving and carrying · direction changes and handler orientation · using natural breed tendencies rather than constantly fighting them.
You do not need to shoot, work your dog or own a field. This is practical gundog-inspired training for ordinary owners and normal walks.
Three small-group sessions — £75 per dog. Available course dates can be selected through the booking system when released.
The booking calendar is provided by Acuity Scheduling. It will only load when you choose to open it.