Preparing for The Gundog Club Graded Assessments

Get ready for success in The Gundog Club assessments—what to practise, common pitfalls, and how to give your dog confidence on the day.

The Gundog Club graded assessments are a brilliant way to recognise progress and celebrate the partnership between you and your dog. Each assessment is fair, structured, and judged with the outcome of Pass, Merit, Distinction, or Not Ready.

They’re designed to support learning and reward steady development. With the right preparation, the day can be a highlight of your training journey.

Know the Criteria

Every candidate is sent the criteria for their grade and breed type—this is your training roadmap. Each grade builds naturally:

Grade 1 – Foundations: heelwork, recall, a simple retrieves, and a stay. HPRs also demonstrate a willingness to hunt at this stage.
Grade 2 – Builds on Grade 1: longer and memory retrieves, lining out, casting, and the introduction of the stop whistle. Stays are extended, and spaniels are asked to show a willingness to hunt. There is no steadiness around other dogs required yet.
Grade 3 – Extends further: longer and more complex retrieves, stays with distractions, and for retrievers and HPRs, a water retrieve is introduced. At higher grades, dogs will also be required to honour another dog while it works.

Stays Matter

Stays appear in Grades 1–3, with distractions added at Grade 3. Many handlers underestimate this, but a weak stay can undo an otherwise strong assessment. Train gradually—extend time, increase distance, and introduce controlled distractions.

Practise Transitions

Moving smoothly from one behaviour to the next is where many dogs falter. For example, shifting neatly from heelwork into a sit, or recalling into a tidy delivery. Build transitions into training so they become second nature.

Prompts Are Allowed

You’re permitted to prompt your dog, but don’t rely on it. Practise with fewer cues, less praise, and fewer rewards so your dog doesn’t stumble when the assessment feels quieter than normal.

Keep Training Varied

Don’t fall into the trap of rehearsing only the exact assessment tasks—your dog will quickly lose enthusiasm. Mix in hunting games, fun retrieves, and varied exercises. This keeps your dog motivated and prevents the test from feeling like a tired routine.

Prepare With the Right Equipment

Dogs are assessed on a slip lead, so ensure your dog is confident working in one well in advance. It may feel like a small detail, but it makes a big difference.

On the Day

Give yourself time to arrive, settle, and warm your dog up. A few minutes of heelwork, a recall, or a simple retrieve can get both of you into the right mindset. For most grades, assessments are carried out without other dogs present, so you can concentrate entirely on your own partnership.

Assessors Want You to Succeed

It’s natural to feel nervous, but remember: assessors are not ogres. They care deeply about gundogs and handlers, and they want you to do well. If your dog falters, they’re more interested in how you handle it than in marking you down harshly.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Overtraining before the day – Keep your dog fresh, not fatigued.
Weak stays – Especially when distractions are added at Grade 3.
Messy transitions – Untidy changes between tasks will cost you.
Neglecting new elements – Casting, lining out, stop whistle, and water retrieves need early preparation.
Ignoring slip lead practice – Don’t wait until the big day.
Handler nerves – Stay calm, steady, and consistent.

Final Thoughts

The Gundog Club assessments aren’t about perfection—they’re about rewarding consistent training and good teamwork. Whether you come home with a distinction or a “not ready,” you’ll know exactly where you stand and where to focus next.

Train with variety, prepare thoughtfully, and remember: success comes from working with the dog you have in front of you, not the one you had yesterday or the one you hope for tomorrow.