Trained For Life™

Training the Next Generation

Founded in 2007 by Canine Behaviour Consultant Lez Graham MA, Trained for Life is now focusing on empowering dog owners through the written word and training the next generation of canine professionals. 

The Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor Programme

As an Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor® you will, upon completion and after the 18 months of intensive training, not only be proficient in pet dog training, you will have the knowledge to continue to spread the word that pet gundog training can be positive, motivating and enjoyable!

You will also be proficient in all aspects of training a gundog, as well as, to name but a few…

Mechanics of movement

Canine Anatomy & Physiology

Equipment design and usage

The psychology of the gundog

Common canine behaviours

Session planning

Only 8 places are available on each intake and successful applicants will, upon completion of the training programme and successful assessment, either be Accredited Pet Gundog Instructors.

With its monthly Zoom sessions and online chat, this is so more than a training course: it is a comprehensive, fully integrated mentoring programme which embraces the highest standards of teaching, training and learning.

This programme offers the opportunity, through personal commitment, to reflect on and share expertise with other like-minded professionals, to learn from and be inspired by the very best in the industry; it is a career opportunity, unique to individual trainers to grow and achieve excellence.

Throughout the programme Lez Graham will be teaching and mentoring in her unique style and will prepare you to set up as a highly-skilled APGI running your own Accredited Pet Gundog training classes for which you’ll receive a comprehensive training package.

As part of this programme you will be able to achieve not one, but two Open College Network (West Midlands) Level 3 certificates; one in Canine Studies and the other in Canine Training and Behaviour, and, when combined with the Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor knowledge, you really will be at the top of your profession.

So, if you’re serious about being a successful dog trainer and are passionate about all things gundog then this is an opportunity to train with the best.

The Pet Gundog Puppy

Starting with can I have a puppy, this book guides you through not only selecting a breeder and a puppy, but critical life stages and, just as importantly, laying down solid foundation training with your puppy to enable you to own a dog to be proud of.

The Pet Gundog Puppy covers all areas of behaviour and training from the moment your puppy enters your home through to the young dog being around 8 months old and about to embark on more advanced training.

 The Pet Gundog 

The Pet Gundog introduces you to the psychology of the dog as well as how to achieve a well-behaved and well-mannered dog at home. Basic training and basic gundog training is covered in this book; enough to get your pet gundog retrieving nicely and doing a bit of hunting.

We dip our toes into the shooting world, enough so that you can understand what your dog has been bred for.

The Advanced Pet Gundog

The Advanced Pet Gundog, picks up where The Pet Gundog and The Pet Gundog Puppy leave off and will take you from the basic retrieve to a shoot, if that’s what you’d like to do with your dog, to the Working Gundog Certificate or a Novice Working Test... well, the techniques and ‘how to’ are covered anyway; the rest, as they say, is up to you.

Manners Not Mayhem

In her latest book, Manners not Mayhem, Lez Graham shares her wisdom, experience and common-sense to help ease you into puppy ownership, sharing her secrets of how to raise, train and live with your puppy, guiding you through the minefield of toilet training, crate training, socialisation and introducing new concepts such as The Four Pillars of Puppy Training.

Retrieving Roll

The Lez Graham Retrieving Roll is a wonderful way to introduce canvas at a young age. As the puppy matures and goes onto larger and more unusual dummies, the Retrieving Roll can act as a transitional aid to give your dog confidence as he moves into more ‘grown up’ training by simply wrapping the Retrieving Roll around the new or ‘scary’ item.

As a remedial aid, the Retrieving Roll should be part of every gundog trainer’s kit. Tucked away is a little pouch where you can hide a treat; the reluctant retrievers learn really quickly that the only way they can get the treat is to return the Retrieving Roll to you. As the dog gets more proficient in returning the dummy then delivery to hand can be insisted upon before the treat is forthcoming.

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Your Tutors

Lez Graham MA has a Masters Degree in Professional Practice (Canine Behaviour & Psychology), is a fellow of the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association and is a master trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers, as well as a Touch for Health Consultant, Mentor and Firewalking Instructor. Lez also holds a City & Guilds Adult and Further Education Teaching Certificate.

Richard Reeve APGI, is an Accredited Pet Gundog Instructor and a master trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers. Based in Norfolk, Richard runs fortnightly pet gundog training classes, teaches on behalf of the Mid-Norfolk Gundog Club and works to modify the wayward behaviour of dogs of any breed.

We are passionate about providing professional courses that deliver high-quality teaching using positive and motivational training styles.

Related Listing

The Pet Gundog™ Books