If you’ve been training for a while and feel like you’re well on your way to getting to grips with your foundation behaviours you may be considering taking some assessments to measure your training progress.
In the UK, you could consider working towards the Gundog Trainer’s Academy’s Gundog Assessment Programme, or the Royal Kennel Club’s Working Gundog Certificate (WGC) on Dummies. If you have a competitive nature too, you might also start preparing to take part in Gundog Working Tests (GWTs).
Before entering any assessment or competition though, the most important thing is not whether you feel ready to enter, but whether your dog genuinely understands the skills required at that level in a variety of environments and under distraction.
A dog who can perform behaviours well in training classes or familiar environments may still struggle in a new location around unfamiliar dogs, people, scent, excitement, and waiting around between exercises. Assessments and competitions often place different pressures on dogs and handlers, so it is important not to rush this stage.
In this blog we’ll look at how to decide if you and your dog are ready, considerations around rewarding your dog, what equipment you’ll need, how to approach the assessment or competition day, and why you need to consider your mindset before taking part.
How to decide if you and your gundog are ready for assessments and competitions and what are some good options to start with?
People are often drawn towards gundog assessments and competitions because they enjoy having something to work towards with their dog. For some handlers it provides structure and motivation in training, while for others it is simply a chance to spend a day doing something they enjoy together.
They can also give you valuable feedback about your training and highlight areas that may need further work, while helping expose both dog and handler to new environments, different challenges, and the added pressure of working away from familiar training grounds.
There are several different routes you can consider taking with your gundog depending on your interests and training goals.
Non-competitive assessments: Gundog Assessment Programme
Non-competitive assessments, like the Gundog Trainers Academy’s Gundog Assessment Programme (GAP) and the Royal Kennel Club’s Working Gundog Certificate (WGC) on Dummies or on Game, will assess you and your gundog individually against a set of criteria. These criteria are typically specialised for your dog’s breed type (retriever, spaniel or HPR) or the role they would perform on a shoot (beating, picking up, or rough shooting).
Assessments are ideal for handlers who are looking for a structured way to measure their training progress without the added pressure of direct competition against other dogs and handlers.
At Teach Your Gundog, all of our group training classes are structured around the GAP levels, with the curriculum, distances and distractions present designed to ensure that dogs are always working on the essential skills needed for that level and to prepare owners for taking the final field assessment, should they wish, before moving up to the next class.
Levels 1 and 2 cover foundation gundog skills including bumbling (walking leisurely off lead), recall, heelwork, steadiness, a reliable retrieve chain, basic stop whistle, different retrieve scenarios and hunting patterns. The higher levels then progress towards more advanced skills such as multiple and complex retrieves with shot, co-ordinated hunting, stopping to shot and fall, pointing for HPRs, and higher levels of steadiness and focus around more challenging distractions.
Non-competitive assessments: Working Gundog Certificate
If you are considering working your dog, you might want to aim towards completing the Royal Kennel Club’s Working Gundog Certificate on Dummies, and later on Game.
The WGC is a non-competitive assessment designed to provide credible proof that a handler and dog partnership is ready for the shooting field. It is designed to show that both you and your dog will be an asset to a shoot and have all the necessary qualities of a competent working team and are ready to fulfil the general requirements of fieldwork.
The criteria focuses on self-control, obedience, temperament, hunting and retrieving. To determine if your gundog is suitable and you are both ready for assessment, it is incredibly useful to read through the WGC official handbook, which you can view and download here.
Competitions: Gundog Working Tests
Competitions, such as Gundog Working Tests, are better suited to handlers who are comfortable working under pressure, enjoy the challenge of competing alongside other dogs and handlers, and may have ambitions to progress further within the gundog world through higher level competition, such as field trials, or by establishing a recognised kennel name for breeding purposes.
Alongside offering the WGC, The Royal Kennel Club is also the governing body for nearly all gundog and field trial societies in the UK which organise Gundog Working Tests in accordance with the J Regulations, commonly referred to as the “J Regs”.
By artificially simulating shooting day scenarios within various exercises called tests, these competitions seek to assess the working abilities of the various breeds of gundog without game being shot.
Gundog Working Tests are normally held outside of the shooting season, between March and September and are divided into three main classifications: open, novice and puppy. Although it is common to also see other unclassified levels such as special puppy, novice dog / novice handler, veteran, intermediate and junior handler.
If you are looking to enter GWTs, you should familiarise yourself with the J Regs rule book. The 2026 version can be viewed and downloaded here.
Once you are familiar with the J Regs, before entering a Gundog Working Test it is a good idea to enlist the help of a trainer who is familiar with the standards required for the test you are entering to give you an unbiased appraisal of you and your dog’s skills and preparedness.
If you are new to Working Tests, it is also good practice to approach your local gundog club and ask to spectate or help at some events (without your dog) first so that you can learn more. Clubs are usually very keen to accept offers of help and it is an invaluable way to gain knowledge and experience.
NB: If you are planning to participate in a Royal Kennel Club regulated event, there are also some practical, administrative requirements to consider. Your dog will need to be registered with the RKC, either on the Breed Register or Activities Register. While you don’t always need to be a member of the gundog club or society to enter the Gundog Working Test, there are often discounted entry fees for members and if space is limited then non-members might not get a place.
Can I reward my dog during gundog assessments and competitions?
Most gundog assessments and competitions will not permit you to give treats or toys, play with your dog, or physically interact with them while under the judge or assessor.
For many handlers and dogs, this is one of the biggest differences between normal training and working in an assessment or competition environment, and it can sometimes catch people out if they have not prepared for that transition beforehand.
In the Gundog Trainers Academy GAP assessments there is some allowance for reinforcement to be given, but this is only at certain points within the assessment, usually after the exercise has finished.
This is because, traditionally, the expectation has been that the dog should find the work itself reinforcing. And, to be fair, many gundogs, especially those from working bred lines, genuinely do enjoy the work enormously.
However, it can be difficult for some dogs if reinforcement has not been faded thoughtfully before entering an assessment or competition.
If reinforcement suddenly disappears altogether, some dogs may feel frustrated or disappointed and the quality of their work can begin to deteriorate even during a short assessment.
The goal is not to eliminate reinforcement, but to gradually teach your dog to work for longer periods or complete more repetitions before reinforcement is delivered.
You can also teach your gundog that reinforcement happens after the entire exercise has finished and take them away from the working area before delivering it.
When doing GWTs with my labrador Otter, I still carry food in my pocket. I simply wait until we have finished the test and have walked away from the area, then I stop, give him his reinforcement, and tell him he was awesome.
This is a strategy I encourage all students to employ for behaviours that their dogs truly understand and are already in what’s called the “maintenance box”.
Following assessments or competitions, it is beneficial to return to a higher rate of reinforcement again during normal training for a short period.
What equipment will I need for gundog assessments and competitions?
When participating in assessment days or competitions you don’t need as much equipment on your person as you would when training.
When it comes to equipment for training there’s a ton of gundog gear, gadgets, tools and accessories on the market, which I explored in depth in a recent blog. Click here for more.
However, when participating in assessment days or competitions, you generally do not need to carry as much equipment on your person as you would during normal training.
Dummies will typically be provided by the organisers and the Gundog Trainers Academy GAP levels, Royal Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate on dummies and Gundog Working Tests will all use standard 1lb green canvas dummies to keep everything fair for the dogs and straightforward for the judges, assessors and dummy throwers.
The only essential pieces of equipment you will usually need during the assessment or competition itself are your whistle and lead. Your dog will not normally be required to wear a collar while working and should not wear a harness.
With less to carry around with you, you might decide that your routine gundog training vest is not a necessity. However, and unless you typically wear jeans and bright, fluorescent clothing, it can help your dog if you are dressed in a similar way to how you normally train. Environmental cues are extremely important to dogs and sudden changes in clothing, equipment, or routine can sometimes affect how confidently or fluently a dog works.
I tend to wear similar clothes to training, although not necessarily my full training vest. More often I will wear a gilet or coat, as my dogs are already used to training and working with me in those garments.
Beyond that, what you bring with you will depend largely on the weather, the event set up, and any instructions given by the organisers. You may be away from your car for long periods of time and there can often be a considerable amount of waiting around between exercises.
I usually like to think about the following:
· Water for both myself and my dog
· Snacks for both myself and my dog, including treats for afterwards
· Appropriate clothing for the weather such as a hat, coat, jumper, or umbrella
· A coat for my dog in very cold or very hot weather
· A chair, as there is often a lot of waiting around
· Sunscreen
The goal is not to carry lots of equipment, but to make sure both you and your dog are comfortable, prepared, and able to focus on the work. A calm, organised handler often helps create a calmer, more settled dog.
How to approach gundog assessments and competition days
Assessment and competition days can feel quite overwhelming if you have never attended one before, particularly as there is often a lot of waiting around, listening, and organisation involved before you even begin working your dog.
The Royal Kennel Club events often begin with a group briefing to introduce judges and explain how the tests are going to run.
Retriever tests usually comprise four to six different tests, each under a different judge, so handlers need to know where to go after each exercise. Often, participants are divided into groups and remain within those groups as they work their way around the tests.
Spaniel and HPR tests are usually limited to two or three tests, of which hunting is the main exercise. There is still often a considerable amount of waiting around between turns, so it is important to prepare yourself and your dog for that part of the day as well.
Even if you complete all your tests early or don’t think you will have won anything, it is best practice to wait around until the end of the event for the prize giving. As well as being respectful to other competitors, this part of the day is usually an opportunity to give thanks to the hosts, judges, organisers and volunteers who have made the day possible for you to attend.
The Gundog Trainers Academy GAP assessments differ slightly in that there is one assessment under one assessor, completed in one go. Similarly, it is usually assumed that you will wait around after your assessment for the results, certificate presentations and thanks giving at the end.
Waiting for your turn
While waiting for your turn, in an assessment or competition scenario, your dog should not be off lead or running around freely. If you have trained with me before, you will know that I encourage all my students to develop short routines or exercises to help transition their dog from waiting around in a group to getting ready to work.
Once I have seen that the dog two in front of me is going down to the judge or assessor, I will take my dog to a nearby tree or some cover and encourage them to have a wee. I will then ask them to respond to some fun cues like spin, twist, down, middle, finding heel, etc, paying for every correct behaviour on cue.
This helps transition your dog emotionally from resting and waiting into working mode.
Understanding the assessment
When you arrive with the judge or assessor, sit your dog, keep their lead on, and wait for instructions. You may need to confirm your name for your assessment, or if you are doing a Working Test you will need to provide the judge with your armband number.
Listen carefully to the explanation of the assessment or test. This is critical because most judges and assessors will explain things in a way that helps you succeed, they are not trying to trap you.
They may give you distances, so it helps to have a reasonable understanding of what 50 metres actually looks like. They may also refer to specific landmarks or cover, so it helps if you know your oak from your ash and your bracken from your kale.
During the explanation, take time to assess the environment as well. Consider the wind direction and any potential “bunkers” that might pull your dog away from the correct area. These factors will influence how you choose to handle your dog during the exercise.
If you are unsure about any instruction or how the assessment or test is set up, ask for clarification before you begin.
Taking your turn
Once everything has been explained, you will be asked to remove your dog’s lead and say when you are ready. Be sure to put your lead away in your pocket or vest and do not send your dog until the judge or assessor instructs you to do so. Sending early may result in a zero or elimination.
When sending your dog, or casting your dog to hunt, concentrate fully on the job in front of you. If you are handling a retriever, you must remain stationary and handle from a static position. If you are hunting a spaniel or HPR, you may move behind your dog on its beat once the ground has already been covered.
If things don’t go to plan, it is always a judgement call on your part whether to and how to react. When your dog is out working only whistle cues and hand signals are permitted and verbally re-cueing or encouraging your dog will be marked down.
If you can stop your dog on a whistle effectively and handle them to the area that is fine and demonstrates that you have a good working partnership even if there was some error correction involved. However, if your dog is not far off the area and is favourable for wind, you might be able to stay quiet and give them the chance to catch the scent cone.
Once you have taken the dummy from your dog, hand it immediately to the judge or assessor and keep your dog close to you. If the test is then over, you can put your dog back on the lead.
Why you need to consider your mindset before taking part in gundog assessments and competitions
Our frame of mind, anxiety levels, and excitement can have a huge impact on how our dogs respond during assessments and competitions.
Most tests and assessments take place in unfamiliar locations, often surrounded by unfamiliar people, dogs, scent, and activity, so your dog’s senses are likely to be heightened already. They do not benefit from us adding additional pressure through our own nerves or expectations.
It is also important to remember that your dog has absolutely no idea that they are being judged or assessed. They do not know what a rosette, certificate, qualification, or score sheet means. As far as they are concerned, you are simply training together in a different environment.
Unfortunately, I think this is something handlers lose sight of once nerves, ambition, or ego begin creeping in. Regardless of what the assessment or competition means to you, the most important thing should always be that your dog is coping well emotionally and genuinely enjoying the experience.
If you are susceptible to feeling nervous at tests and assessments, like so many of us are, I have adopted a few strategies that help enormously.
Firstly, breathe slowly and deeply. This helps calm your nervous system and settle your mind.
Secondly, I remind myself that while the event may feel important to me, it is not life threatening and I am simply here to do my best with my dog.
Thirdly, stay focused and present in the moment. This means trying to quieten the negative thoughts your brain may be throwing at you, listening carefully to the steward and the judge or assessor, and concentrating on your partnership with your dog rather than worrying about everybody else around you.
It is easier said than done and it certainly takes practice and preparation, but these strategies work well for me. You may need to explore other approaches and find what works best for you as an individual handler.
If the outcome isn’t quite as expected, do not be disappointed and remember that whatever happens during the assessment or a competition is just feedback for your future training.
Some things may go well and indicate that it’s time to move on to more progressive training. Mishaps might highlight areas that need more work but it should not cloud your relationship with your dog. Training is a journey you are on together, so try to enjoy the process as much as the results.
Getting support from Teach Your Gundog
If you would like to work towards the Gundog Trainers Academy Gundog Assessment Programme and have not done any gundog training with your dog before, then you are welcome to join our Puppy/Beginner classes here.
If you have previously done some gundog training and would like to join a group class, to ensure you are placed in the right level, please book a 121 first here.
If you would like to work towards the Royal Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate on Dummies, Teach Your Gundog and Lead & Listen are hosting a dedicated gundog course to help handlers and dogs consolidate the skills and behaviours required for the assessment.
The Working Gundog Certificate classes will take place at Oakhurst Farm near Loxwood, West Sussex. Your teachers, Jules and Silke, have successfully passed this assessment with their own dogs and have extensive experience running WGC assessments on both dummies and live game.
At the end of the course, there will be a ‘dress rehearsal’ to run through the whole assessment and establish whether you and your dog are ready to take the assessment. For more information and dates, please click here.