About Christine Collins
Meet your trainerGundogs are popular not just as working dogs but also increasingly as pets.
The gundog group includes spaniels, retrievers and HPR’s (hunt, point, retrieve) breeds and we find all varieties within these classifications up and down the country.
When people decide to welcome a dog into their life pure bred gundogs or more recently gundog crossbreeds frequently rank high on the wish list.
My love for dogs exists since childhood and about 25 years ago I found for the first time the dog I always dreamt of as a youngster – a Golden Retriever. Back then there was not such a divide between show and working bred Golden Retrievers. I would describe my dog at that time as the perfect allrounder. I knew little about gundog training in those days but I did know I wanted to give my dog the training and stimulation he deserved. So off I went and found gundog training classes and believe me, both dog and owner got hooked from the start.
Fast forward to today and I still own Golden Retrievers. All of my three current dogs are pure working type breed and enjoy their regular training and competitions throughout the year.
Even if you think you know everything about a specific breed, each and every dog is different and as much as you train and teach the dog he will give you plenty of opportunities to learn from him.
achievements and qualificationsLevel 3 Certificate in Canine Training and Behaviour, Open College Network West Midlands (Ofqual) – April 2019
Level 3 Certificate in Canine Studies, Open College Network West Midlands (Ofqual) – May 2019
Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor – APGI – by Lez Graham – The Pet Gundog – June 2019
Advanced Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor by Lez Graham – The Pet Gundog – March 2023
Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice, Highfield/Train-Aid (Ofqual) – May 2023
Level 3 Award for Educators in the Canine and Feline Sector, iPet Network with Trained for Life - February 2024
Achievements from my Dogs
Fallowfen Olympic Rings2nd Place Special Puppy AV Retriever, Wiltshire Working Gundog Society, June 2014
1st Place Novice Dog/Novice Handler, South West Golden Retriever Club, June 2015
1st Place Novice, South West Golden Retriever Club, May 2016
3rd Place Open, South West Golden Retriever Club, May 2017
1st Place Open, South West Golden Retriever Club, July 2021
2nd Place Veteran, The Golden Retriever Club, April 2022
1st Place Veteran, The Golden Retriever Club, April 2023
1st Place Veteran, South West Golden Retriever Club, May 2023
Fallowfen’s Tinker3rd Place Special Puppy, Midland Golden Retriever Club, May 2015
1st Place Special Puppy, South West Golden Retriever Club, June 2015
COM Novice, United Retriever Club, April 2017
1st Place Open, South West Golden Retriever Club, May 2018
COM Open, United Retriever Club, June 2019
COM Open, South West Golden Retriever Club, July 2021
COM Veteran, The Golden Retriever Club, April 2023
The Pet Gundog & The Accredited Pet Gundog Instructors
In recent years I trained with a variety of people one of whom was Lez Graham. I attended many of her training days with various dogs over time and learned more and new things every time. When I learned about the Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor (APGI) courses in 2016 I was immediately interested and at the end of 2017 I decided to turn my passion for gundogs into a profession and enrolled onto the course to qualify as an Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor. In 2019 I successfully completed the course and since have been teaching hundreds of dog owners to develop their dog into the companion they wanted. Last year I was awarded ‘Advanced Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor’, one of only two in the country.
The official recognition for the Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor - With this qualification and years of practical experience, I aim to pass on my knowledge to train new and existing dog lovers.
The Mark of Excellence in Pet Gundog Training
Whatever your situation and training focus is, I will be happy to advise you on the correct training approach.
Join our dog training classes in the beautiful training grounds in Somerset (BA3 5HL) within easy reach of Bath, Frome, Wells, Castle Cary and the surrounding areas.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
