New entry
Guestbook
58 entries on 3 pages
Jacqueline Butler
24/03/26 19:34:26
We took our 10-month-old Cockapoo, Annie, to a training session today at Branxholme Gundog Training.
Alistair provided us with practical tools to work with, and his training is truly impressive. He has a deep understanding of dogs and is equally in tune with the owners, focusing on building a strong relationship between dog and handler.
Annie is a very smart and curious dog, and it was great to see her potential coming through. I would highly recommend Alistair’s training. Every dog owner can benefit from gaining the right knowledge to raise a well-trained and balanced dog.
Alistair provided us with practical tools to work with, and his training is truly impressive. He has a deep understanding of dogs and is equally in tune with the owners, focusing on building a strong relationship between dog and handler.
Annie is a very smart and curious dog, and it was great to see her potential coming through. I would highly recommend Alistair’s training. Every dog owner can benefit from gaining the right knowledge to raise a well-trained and balanced dog.
John Castell
12/03/26 13:41:54
My wife and I would like to comment on our experience with Branxholme Gundogs. Our Labrador Ben has just turned 9 months and is obviously needing more stimulation than we have been giving him. After our lesson we have seen a marked improvement with his general behaviour. We have adopted the little daily changes Alistair showed us for lead walking and when off the lead free. It was handy that both of us could attend as well. For the fee of £40 we would certainly recommend a visit. Next time we will have a longer follow up meet in open country.
Jeremy Clarkland
01/03/26 10:29:34
previous entry was from me.. don't know how it got put up as 'Clarkson'!.. predictive typing I suppose on my phone.
Jeremy Clarkson
01/03/26 10:26:51
After our lesson with Alistair last week I would like to post my opinion on the progress that Lachy and myself have experienced in that time. Heel work has improved no end and after changing to slip leash I've binned everything else! Recall is coming along nicely with a more effective whistle that we introduced. Lachlan appears to be happier in my vicinity more than before and isn't as far away on our walks so I can definitely say that he is more under my control off the lead. Happy for everyone I'd say. Thanks Alistair.
Jack Caughey
19/02/26 08:21:07
Having just redeemed my Christmas voucher at Branxholme Gundogs I would like to share my experience briefly.
My working cocker Emma was needing some correction and quickly. At 9 months I suppose they all do but you just worry that things are going to get worse. The simple correction that I learned in the 80 minutes with Alistair has made a tremendous difference. £60 well spent so will definitely be going back for 2nd lesson.
My working cocker Emma was needing some correction and quickly. At 9 months I suppose they all do but you just worry that things are going to get worse. The simple correction that I learned in the 80 minutes with Alistair has made a tremendous difference. £60 well spent so will definitely be going back for 2nd lesson.
Leslie wells Wells
27/01/26 22:12:19
I would like to say thank you very much Alistair. Have taken on board all that you advised and already see improvement with Chip. Will hope things will develop before next lesson. Regards Les
Donna Cook
13/01/26 13:09:15
Thank you for a very informative lesson. Charlie (8 month Black Labrador) is walking to heel like a different dog. His recall is improving as well. I now feel confident enough to walk him where other dogs are and I can do away with going to Dog Parks (saving more money into the bargain). Thanks again.
Alex Mair
09/01/26 15:56:49
just wanted to give positive feedback for Branxholme Gundogs and Alistair.
Archie and I had a good hour of instruction(nearly 1 and a half) and have a much better understanding of what comes next in his training. Cocker 1 year old. Looking forward to next lesson. Alex
Archie and I had a good hour of instruction(nearly 1 and a half) and have a much better understanding of what comes next in his training. Cocker 1 year old. Looking forward to next lesson. Alex
Clare Stobbart
14/10/25 20:00:53
Just wanted to recommend Alistair at Branxholme Gundogs to anyone wanting a refresh of basic skills. Our springer Yankee certainly benefited from the hour spent with Alistair. We don't work him in a gundog capacity but just wanted a more pleasurable walking experience where he came back when we wanted rather than when HE wanted!
Thanks Alistair.
Thanks Alistair.
John Cooper
20/08/25 10:37:29
Our 15 month old retriever had an hour with Alistair and ourselves. His lesson is very concentated with no filler! Our dog reponded well to Alistair and lots of information was imparted which we are now attempting to implement. I would thoroughly recommend as we now have information which we are confident will work in improving his attention and recall (which has been very poor).
Connor McVie
05/08/25 07:22:31
14week old cocker spaniel
just had an hour with Alistair in East Linton and wanted to recommend his training methods.
I've read loads on the WEB about what you're supposed or not supposed to do and half the time one person contradicts the next person!
Stick to a tried and tested way that works for me from now on. the tennis ball tricks have made all the differnce to Tyla and she is much calmer. Thanks again. Connor.
just had an hour with Alistair in East Linton and wanted to recommend his training methods.
I've read loads on the WEB about what you're supposed or not supposed to do and half the time one person contradicts the next person!
Stick to a tried and tested way that works for me from now on. the tennis ball tricks have made all the differnce to Tyla and she is much calmer. Thanks again. Connor.
Brian Bonsor
28/07/25 09:39:08
thank you Alistair for a very informative hour.
don't normally do reviews but felt I should say something.
Jake is like a different dog since his visit.
seems to be more interested in everything I do.
On your suggestion I might find a game keeper who would take us both on.
Will keep you posted Cheers Brian and Jake (13month working cocker)
don't normally do reviews but felt I should say something.
Jake is like a different dog since his visit.
seems to be more interested in everything I do.
On your suggestion I might find a game keeper who would take us both on.
Will keep you posted Cheers Brian and Jake (13month working cocker)
Adrian Mancini
15/07/25 21:54:56
Recently visited Alistair at Branxholme Gundogs for a lesson with Brig my 14 week old working cocker.
I felt possibly that Brig would develop good habits after the visit instead of maybe being told incorrect methods by me.
Alistair quickly put my own self at ease within a short space of time and gave me the confidence to implement this new knowledge.
Brig herself is taking to it with the same enthusiasm....Stimulating her with the tricks that I now know seems to be working wonders and making her more focused and connected with me. I would recommend anybody with a young pup to treat themselves to an hour of Alistair's company. Aydi.
I felt possibly that Brig would develop good habits after the visit instead of maybe being told incorrect methods by me.
Alistair quickly put my own self at ease within a short space of time and gave me the confidence to implement this new knowledge.
Brig herself is taking to it with the same enthusiasm....Stimulating her with the tricks that I now know seems to be working wonders and making her more focused and connected with me. I would recommend anybody with a young pup to treat themselves to an hour of Alistair's company. Aydi.
Alistair Branxholme Gundogs
19/04/25 09:52:33
thank you Aleksandra for your review. As you know already, it was a completely new experience for me working with a BT!...Bernie was amazing..I'd take him shooting any day. 👍
Aleks Tkacz
19/04/25 09:50:53
Thank you so much for your help with our Border Terrier Bernie!
Alistair was really informative when working with us and Bernie, he took lots of time to explain lead walking, recall and general behaviour which was something we were struggling with! It was incredible to see how well behaved she was and how she responded to his training methods. We are implementing these into our own training now. Thank you again for your help! :)
Alistair was really informative when working with us and Bernie, he took lots of time to explain lead walking, recall and general behaviour which was something we were struggling with! It was incredible to see how well behaved she was and how she responded to his training methods. We are implementing these into our own training now. Thank you again for your help! :)
R Hunter
11/04/25 09:08:00
Alistair was very patient, knowledgeable & provided clear, easy to follow guidance on improving basic obedience for our young dog. After a short period of practice we are starting to see noticeable improvements. I would definitely recommend visiting Alistair.
Gill Lamont
31/03/25 20:09:09
My husband and I took Archie our 16 week old cocker to Alistair for his first training stint. We have now just realised that we have been reading too many methods with conflicting views on the WEB. Do this and do that from one site to another! Alistair made everything simple and uncluttered and once you see how effectively they work you tend to stick with them. Archie is walking to heel (on lead at the moment ) and he isn't shooting off too far any more so we are delighted with his progress. Thanks again.
Carol Reid
06/12/24 10:43:43
I took our 16 month old pet Lurcher Cross bitch, Mabel, to Alistair yesterday. He started helping us with Heel Work and basic obedience training. I honestly think I can see a difference in her already. It was a very enjoyable hour, packed full of practical hints and tips. Anyway, we came away (like Kate, below) with 'homework' to do before our next lesson in the New Year.
Thank you Alistair.
Thank you Alistair.
Kate East Linton
24/11/24 10:09:09
Hi Alistair, hope you’re well. Sorry for the delay in getting this over to you but here is my review 😊
‘I took my 7 month old working cocker spaniel puppy along for a 121 session with Alastair and it was fantastic. As a first time dog owner I was looking for some training which would help my pup throughout her life - not necessarily as a gundog. Alastair was very knowledgeable and had a great training manner. He gave me lots of hints and tips for me to go away and work on. Already I am starting to see the difference. I can’t recommend Alistair enough. ‘
‘I took my 7 month old working cocker spaniel puppy along for a 121 session with Alastair and it was fantastic. As a first time dog owner I was looking for some training which would help my pup throughout her life - not necessarily as a gundog. Alastair was very knowledgeable and had a great training manner. He gave me lots of hints and tips for me to go away and work on. Already I am starting to see the difference. I can’t recommend Alistair enough. ‘
Tina Stackhouse
18/11/24 14:50:51
MY husband and I had a great training session with Alistair and our 14 month old puppy Otto last week. Alistair helped walk us through the basics of training and we very quickly realised where we were going wrong. Otto relaxed into the session and started following Alistairs' instructions. We've retuned home to work on our new learnings and have noticed that walks are a lot more enjoyable already. Thank you!
mackay@branxholme.com