Many working breeds (and their mixes) love to sniff, chase, and retrieve, which can make daily walks feel overwhelming when the world is full of exciting sights and scents.
Our newest team member Rusty is a working-line Labrador, whose owner has embraced positive gundog training to channel these instincts in a healthy, rewarding way. This training redirects their natural instincts, helping to build focus, calmness, and connection while keeping wildlife safe.
If you would like to learn more about this style of training and why it’s so beneficial for working breeds, then have a read of our last blog.
Here are some examples of activities that Rusty enjoys, and you can even have a go at yourself at home. Remember to start off slowly, building consistency in a low-distraction environment like at home before gradually progressing to busier areas.
Check-in game
A simple way to build engagement is the check-in game. Every time your dog looks back at you or returns to you on their own, mark it with a calm word of your choice, either “yes” or use a noise such as a clicker and reward with a treat.
No calling, no pressure – you’re simply teaching them that choosing you is always worthwhile. Over time, your dog will naturally offer more attention, staying mentally connected off lead and less likely to wander and switch off from you.
Recall Into Reward
Recall into reward is especially helpful on wildlife aware walks because it changes how your dog feels about coming back to you. If they spot something in the distance, they may be more likely to turn away and choose you because they know coming back leads to something good.
Have a go at our total recall challenge which is full of information and games you can try.
The Emergency Stop
The emergency stop can be an invaluable safety skill for every dog, teaching your dog to pause and hold position, even at a distance. This can be incredibly useful when spotting wildlife, approaching hazards or navigating busy environments. If your dog was following an exciting scent and they do a brilliant emergency stop, a great way to reward them is pop their lead back on and when safe to do so, track the scent together.
For dogs who find movement highly exciting, having the ability to stop and reset can help reduce impulsive reactions. However, some may find it tricky. Starting simple and building strong foundations will always set you and your dog up better for success before diving into more complex skills.
If an emergency stop is a skill you’d like to work towards, we’ve included a helpful guide from Battersea to get you started. With time and consistency, the emergency stop can allow you to give your dog more freedom while keeping them and the wildlife around you safe.
Controlled Retrieves
This exercise uses a toy or training dummy to channel your dog’s natural instinct to chase and carry, but in a more thoughtful and structured way. Rather than them chasing or picking up anything it sees, your dog learns to work with you during controlled retrieves.
Many gundogs are natural retrievers and often take to this activity with enthusiasm. To get started, you might begin by teaching your dog a simple game of fetch. The Blue Cross has a handy guide that explains how to introduce this if your dog is new to it.
It’s important to keep in mind that frantic, repetitive ball chasing can put a lot of strain on dogs over time, potentially leaving them both physically sore and mentally overstimulated. Retrieves should stay relaxed and not become too frantic. If your dog starts to get a little too excited, you can help them settle with some simple sniffing games such as “find it”.
Hunting / Scent Games
Sniffing is a huge part of how your dog experiences the world. In working breeds, their noses are built for following scent trails and individual problem solving.
Scatter food in longer grass or hide a toy while your dog waits, give your dog a cue like “find it” to encourage them to search for and find the reward. This lets them use their nose and slow down.
Giving opportunities to hunt and sniff can reduce frustration and provide mental stimulation. These exercises are also fantastic for building confidence, reducing overexcitement, and giving your dog a job that feels natural and rewarding.
Heelwork With Purpose
When it comes to heelwork, think short and meaningful rather than long and demanding. A few calm steps at your side, followed by a reward and freedom such as a longer lead, is far more effective than expecting constant heelwork.
You’re teaching your dog that being close and connected has value, without draining their enthusiasm. This can be used to walk calmly past livestock or give birds space, reward and then let them go back to sniffing once again when safe.
Follow the heel training guide on our website for more information.
On Lead and off lead transitions
Switching between the two helps your dog stay consistent regardless of what’s attached to their collar or harness. Practise clipping on and off regularly, rewarding calm behaviour, so the lead doesn’t signal restriction or frustration.
Some dogs behave very differently on lead compared to off lead, while others may have learnt the lead means the end of their fun walk. You might notice pulling or tension when they feel restricted, even if they’re calm and responsive when free. By working on smooth transitions and rewarding calm behaviour, you can help your dog feel more relaxed and connected in both situations.
The Blue Cross have some great tips for walking on and off lead.
Leave It
Leave it is a skill that teaches your dog to disengage from something and choose to focus back on you instead. This might be food on the floor, something they want to pick up, or even movement in the environment outside. It’s about helping your dog make safer decisions and learn that ignoring temptation often leads to something better from you.
For working breeds, this can be especially useful. Their natural instincts often draw them towards scent, movement and potential “retrieves” which can lead to chasing wildlife or becoming overly fixated on distractions. A well-developed leave it can help redirect focus and allow for safer more wildlife aware behaviour.
If you want to have a go, our Leave it guide is full of useful tips to help you get started.
Supporting wildlife aware walks
By developing and channelling our dogs’ instincts in a healthy way, we can help ensure that everyone has the space to feel safe out on walks – particularly around areas of sensitive wildlife habitat where disturbance can lead to negative consequences.
This type of training is all about honouring what your dog was bred to do and shaping it into something that works for both of you.
If you’d like any more information on training, The ABTC register is a great place to find accredited, qualified, ethical dog trainers near you who can help you progress further. The APBC is also a great network of qualified experts who can provide behaviour support.
