Nick Ridley and Fran Ardley have nearly five decades of combined experience and knowledge of training and working their gundogs in the field, whether it’s picking up, beating, or enjoying the thrill of shooting over their dogs there are very few situations that they haven't encountered. 'Practical Gundog Training' takes a different approach to many previous publications and instead of focusing solely on one breed, it concentrates on exercises that owners of all gundog breeds can follow. These training exercises and methods are based on the owners' practical experiences of working their gundogs in the field. Although aimed at the gundog owner who plans to work their dog in the shooting field, ‘Practical Gundog Training’ will also be useful to those trainers who own pet gundog breeds. The book features specific training scenarios, including place board training, whistle work and working with more than one dog. Each subject covers various exercise options and not only the initial training, but also ways to introduce some refresher training, which is especially important at the end of a busy working season.
‘Practical Gundog Training’ is a simple, straightforward and easy-to-follow guide. Containing expert practical advice it will help both the novice and the more experienced trainer to get the most out their gundog.

Nick Ridley has been writing for the field sports press for more than twenty-five years and is currently the freelance gundog editor for the 'Sporting Gun'. He has also written for the 'Shooting Times', 'Shooting Gazette' and the 'Sporting Shooter' magazines, Nick also writes a regular gundog training blog for Harkila clothing. He owns and works five cocker spaniels in the shooting field and under his kennel prefix 'Pettycord Gundogs' he holds weekly one-to-one and group gundog training lessons.

Fran Ardley of Tarncrag Gundogs is based in Cumbria. She has more than sixteen years’ experience training Labradors, springer spaniels and cocker spaniels and has achieved numerous awards at field trails and made up her first field trial champion cocker spaniel recently. She has a positive attitude to gundog training and is keen to promote new training methods without losing the practical outlook. Fran also holds regular one-to-one and group gundog training sessions.