Welcome to
Paws & Play Gundogs
Gundog training for the family pet.
Specialising in Retriever and Spaniel breeds, from Puppies to the more Advanced.
Taught by qualified, accredited trainers, who's main aim is teaching you how to effectively train your dog.
Gundog Training covering the Bakewell, Buxton, Chesterfield, and Sheffield areas.
"At Paws and Play Gundogs, we help owners of pet gundog breeds from working lines tap into their dogs’ natural instincts; bringing out the best in both the dog and the bond they share.”
Understanding Your Dog
Our training philosophy caters on understanding your dog's motivations, innate instincts, and the best training methods to harness their drive, energy, and natural instincts. Gundogs have been bred to be highly attuned to their environment, and our training methods cater to this natural curiosity. Even as a pet, they'll still possess the same instincts to hunt, chase, and retrieve as a working gundog.
Who We Help
Whether you have a family pet gundog, a working breed, or a crossbreed, our training courses are designed to equip you with the practical skills necessary to train and enjoy your pet gundog. We believe that with the right guidance, every dog can become a cherished member of the family.
Our Training Approach
We use a fun approach that emphasises on positive reinforcement, clicker training techniques, and interactive games. This method helps dogs understand that we are a valuable source of rewards, encouraging them to be focused on you over environmental distractions like game birds, movement, and scents.
Gundog Training
Whether you’re just starting or progressing through levels, our Gundog Training offers in-person group courses using fun, reward-based methods, for the pet or working dog.
We teach foundational skills, retrieves, whistle cues, and more—building control, confidence, and connection between you and your dog from Puppy to the more Advanced.
Online Training
Access full courses from home.
Our Online Training mirrors the in-person syllabus with video lessons, homework, and trainer support.
Ideal for those who missed a live course or live further away. Learn at your pace, in your space, with expert guidance.
The Gundog Hub
The Gundog Hub is your on-demand training library: 200+ bite-sized video lessons covering everything from puppy basics to advanced skills.
Train anytime, message your trainer for support, and join a supportive community of other gundog owners.
1-1 Training
Get hands-on, personalised coaching tailored to your dog’s specific needs.
Whether you’re overcoming challenges or pushing performance, 1-1 Training offers direct attention, custom plans and expert feedback to accelerate your progress.
Lindsay Hermann
Owner & Head Trainer
Since 2009, I've been dedicated to using positive reinforcement training, beginning with my first reactive dog, Troy. Over the years, I've continued these methods with Scarlett, Hobbs, Ellie, Tully & now Maola. Each of them has thrived, enjoying the training process and achieving success in Scurry competitions, Working Tests, and participating in local shoots, picking up and beating.
As an accredited and qualified Gundog Club instructor and assessor, my mission is to meet your dog's training needs with the most effective and convenient methods. We focus on making training sessions enjoyable for both you and your dog.
By empowering your dog to make the right choices, we enhance their learning and engagement. We use positive reinforcement, employing reward-based techniques to encourage desired behaviours and create a stress-free environment.
Join the Community
#pawsandplaygundogs
-
![We have teamed up with @pawsbrooklyn to bring you a festive giveaway as we’ve hit the first 1K follower milestone after restarting due to being hacked.
We couldn’t have done it without all of you, so here is a chance to win this great little bundle;
? Paws Rabbit Ball
? Paws Dummy
? Paws Slip Lead
All you need to do is ensure you follow the steps below and you’ll be automatically added in!
Here’s how to Enter:
? Follow @pawsandplay_gundogs and @pawsbrooklyn
? Like & share this post
? Tag 3 accounts who might like to enter too!
That’s it!
Now for the important part, our giveaway is open to UK accounts only and the winner will be chosen at random by one of the 4-pawed team ? and contacted by Paws & Play Gundogs only after the closing date 5pm on 21 December.
Good Luck all, and thank you all for your amazing support!
? : Maola with her Paws Rabbit Ball,
Taken by @darrylowenphotography]()
We have teamed up with @pawsbrooklyn to bring you a festive giveaway as we’ve hit the first 1K follower milestone after restarting due to being hacked. We couldn’t have done it without all of you, so here is a chance to win this great little bundle; 🎁 Paws Rabbit Ball 🎁 Paws Dummy 🎁 Paws Slip Lead All you need to do is ensure you follow the steps below and you’ll be automatically added in! Here’s how to Enter: 🦌 Follow @pawsandplay_gundogs and @pawsbrooklyn 🦌 Like & share this post 🦌 Tag 3 accounts who might like to enter too! That’s it! Now for the important part, our giveaway is open to UK accounts only and the winner will be chosen at random by one of the 4-pawed team 🐾 and contacted by Paws & Play Gundogs only after the closing date 5pm on 21 December. Good Luck all, and thank you all for your amazing support! 📸 : Maola with her Paws Rabbit Ball, Taken by @darrylowenphotographyButton -
![Adolescence in dogs is a thing.
It’s a real developmental phase, usually somewhere between 6 months and 24 months, and it can feel like living with a whirlwind on legs.
This is the stage where you might suddenly have a dog who’s:
• wired and over the top
• boisterous and full-on
• not listening to a single cue
• pushing boundaries
• chasing
• ignoring everything they previously knew
And here’s the important part…
This isn’t the dog’s fault.
It’s on us.
Because if we’re seeing this, it’s usually down to one (or a mix) of these things:
• we’ve pushed them on too soon before they’re mentally ready
• hormones are changing faster than their impulse control can keep up
• the environment is too stimulating, too chaotic, or too advanced
• there are gaps in training
• or we’ve allowed behaviours to slip and hoped they’d “grow out of it”
But dogs don’t grow out of undesirable behaviours.
They grow into what we allow.
So many people use “adolescence” as an excuse for not having trained their dog properly… when really, adolescence is the stage where they need the most support.
Your teenager dog doesn’t need a break from training.
They need clarity.
Consistency.
Calm repetition.
Small, simple sessions that guide them through a phase that feels overwhelming for them too.
Don’t leave them to “get over it”.
Train them through it — because what you teach now is exactly what you’ll get as an adult dog.
? Maola (17 months) & Tully]()
Adolescence in dogs is a thing. It’s a real developmental phase, usually somewhere between 6 months and 24 months, and it can feel like living with a whirlwind on legs. This is the stage where you might suddenly have a dog who’s: • wired and over the top • boisterous and full-on • not listening to a single cue • pushing boundaries • chasing • ignoring everything they previously knew And here’s the important part… This isn’t the dog’s fault. It’s on us. Because if we’re seeing this, it’s usually down to one (or a mix) of these things: • we’ve pushed them on too soon before they’re mentally ready • hormones are changing faster than their impulse control can keep up • the environment is too stimulating, too chaotic, or too advanced • there are gaps in training • or we’ve allowed behaviours to slip and hoped they’d “grow out of it” But dogs don’t grow out of undesirable behaviours. They grow into what we allow. So many people use “adolescence” as an excuse for not having trained their dog properly… when really, adolescence is the stage where they need the most support. Your teenager dog doesn’t need a break from training. They need clarity. Consistency. Calm repetition. Small, simple sessions that guide them through a phase that feels overwhelming for them too. Don’t leave them to “get over it”. Train them through it — because what you teach now is exactly what you’ll get as an adult dog. 🐶 Maola (17 months) & TullyButton -
![? XMAS Dog Challenge ✨
Over in our little community WhatsApp we’ve been having a bit of festive fun… spelling out
X M A S in kibble or treats & seeing if the dogs can hold a sit while we lay it out ?
My attempt? …well… cheeky little Maola decided that “S” clearly stood for snack time & broke early ?
Puppies, eh?
They keep us humble… cockers they keep us grounded ?
If you give it a go, tag @pawsandplay_gundogs — I’d love to see your dogs’ attempts (or fails ?).
Training isn’t always perfect… I didn’t pull Maola up on it this time because it’s just a bit of Christmas fun & I wanted to show you the real moment.
In proper training though, I’d usually reset & start fresh — calm, clear, no drama.
Let’s spread some festive fun & fill the feed with good dogs doing their best ? ?]()
🎄 XMAS Dog Challenge ✨ Over in our little community WhatsApp we’ve been having a bit of festive fun… spelling out X M A S in kibble or treats & seeing if the dogs can hold a sit while we lay it out 🎄 My attempt? …well… cheeky little Maola decided that “S” clearly stood for snack time & broke early 🐶 Puppies, eh? They keep us humble… cockers they keep us grounded 😂 If you give it a go, tag @pawsandplay_gundogs — I’d love to see your dogs’ attempts (or fails 😂). Training isn’t always perfect… I didn’t pull Maola up on it this time because it’s just a bit of Christmas fun & I wanted to show you the real moment. In proper training though, I’d usually reset & start fresh — calm, clear, no drama. Let’s spread some festive fun & fill the feed with good dogs doing their best 🧡 🖤Button -
![There’s nothing quite like those first days…
The cuddles, the excitement, the tiny paws, the cute little puppy bellies and oh that puppy smell.
There’s a perfect mix of joy and chaos.
I also know how quickly puppies start learning everything… the good habits… and the not-so-good ones. While ever they are awake they are learning!
That’s why I’m always saying:
A puppy isn’t just for Christmas… they’re for every windy, rainy walk, every recall wobble, every muddy boot moment… and the journey is so much easier with the right guidance from day one.
So if you’re bringing home a little whirlwind this Christmas and you want to give them the best start, my January Gundog Puppy Courses are now open. ?
January Puppy Course Dates:
? Holmesfield, Sheffield — Mondays 1.30pm - Last few places | Bookings close 22 Dec
? Wardlow, near Bakewell — Thursdays 2pm - 1 place left
? Holmesfield — Sundays 9am - Sold Out
Not local?
You can still train with me — join our Gundog Training Hub or take the Online Gundog Puppy Course and start building those foundation from home. Interested? DM me for the link…
#gundogpuppy #gundogpuppytraining #puppytrainer #labradorpuppies #spanielpuppies]()
There’s nothing quite like those first days… The cuddles, the excitement, the tiny paws, the cute little puppy bellies and oh that puppy smell. There’s a perfect mix of joy and chaos. I also know how quickly puppies start learning everything… the good habits… and the not-so-good ones. While ever they are awake they are learning! That’s why I’m always saying: A puppy isn’t just for Christmas… they’re for every windy, rainy walk, every recall wobble, every muddy boot moment… and the journey is so much easier with the right guidance from day one. So if you’re bringing home a little whirlwind this Christmas and you want to give them the best start, my January Gundog Puppy Courses are now open. 🐾 January Puppy Course Dates: 📍 Holmesfield, Sheffield — Mondays 1.30pm - Last few places | Bookings close 22 Dec 📍 Wardlow, near Bakewell — Thursdays 2pm - 1 place left 📍 Holmesfield — Sundays 9am - Sold Out Not local? You can still train with me — join our Gundog Training Hub or take the Online Gundog Puppy Course and start building those foundation from home. Interested? DM me for the link… #gundogpuppy #gundogpuppytraining #puppytrainer #labradorpuppies #spanielpuppiesButton
