Nicola is passionate about helping dogs and their owners build strong, trusting partnerships—both in the field and at home.

Her lifelong love of dogs turned into a passion for gundogs when she started training and working her family pet Labrador in the shooting field 20+ years ago. In that time, she has successfully run a 5* dog boarding business, supporting friends, family and clients with their dogs and helping them overcome many behavioural challenges along the way. While gaining hands-on experience training and working her own gundogs—a Labrador and a Springer Spaniel on local shoots. She has also overcome a wide range of challenges presented by her many rescue dogs.

Over the years, that passion has grown into a dedicated business focused on developing confident, obedient, and well-balanced gundogs and gundog cross breeds. Whether you’re looking to train a reliable working companion or simply want a well-mannered family pet, offering practical, supportive training tailored to you and your dog.

These decades of experience combined with practical and theoretical training including completing the extensive 18-month Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor course, studying under the mentorship of Lez Graham MA, the author of the bestselling series of books, The Pet Gundog. This broadened her depth of knowledge regarding the dog’s anatomy, physiology, psychology, evolution and behaviour.

Sharing our home and life with these intelligent, eager to please, energetic and enthusiastic working breeds is a privilege but learning how to direct their instinctive behaviour can be a challenge. If these traits aren’t utilised to their full potential it can lead to serious behavioural and management issues. If their exercise, stimulation and attention needs are not met, they can become ill-mannered and destructive. It is our duty to provide these outlets in a positive and fun way, enabling us to share our homes with a happy, contented dog.

At Field & Family Gundog Training, Nicola combines traditional methods with a modern, positive approach. Her aim is to bring out the very best in each dog—encouraging natural ability while building calmness, focus, and responsiveness. From basic obedience and recall to more advanced retrieving and field skills, every session is designed to be clear, enjoyable, and effective.

She works with all levels, from complete beginners to experienced handlers, and she understands that every dog—and every owner—is different. That’s why Nicola takes the time to get to know you, your goals, and your dog’s personality, creating a training plan that works for your lifestyle.

Above all, she believes a well-trained gundog should not only perform in the field but also fit seamlessly into family life—calm in the home, reliable outdoors, and a pleasure to own.

Qualifications

Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor 
AIM Level 3 Certificate in Canine Nutrition
AIM Level 3 Certificate in Canine Training and Behaviour
Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work
Diploma in Understanding Canine Anxiety
Diploma in Canine First Aid
Diploma in Dog Training

Certificates

Deaf Dog Awareness
Overcoming Separation Anxiety
Canine Body Language
Care of the Elderly Dog
Dog First Aid Emergency Canine Care

Get in touch today to book a session or find out more.

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