Frank was highly recommended to me 18 months ago when I was looking for help with training my Springer Spaniel pup ‘Ziggy’
It was obvious from our first training session that Frank was a man with  wealth of experience and understanding of dogs, their training and the equally important training of the handler!
His training sessions are conveyed clearly and precisely in an easy no-nonsense manner and whether you are on a ‘one to one’ or ‘group training’ basis is always an enjoyable learning experience.
Both Ziggy and I have learnt so much over the past 18 months and I look forward to putting ‘our’ training into practice during the forthcoming shooting season.
I recommend without hesitation Frank’s training techniques to anyone looking for help with the training of their dog.
 
Andrew Mattin

We first met Frank at a BASC Working Test. Frank had prepared all the tests for the dogs, of which some were quite challenging.   
 
Having spoken to Frank about our dogs and how he would go about training 2 x young pups, we decided to go over to his home for some expert tuition and advice.
 
When we arrived at Frank`s, it was quite apparent that it was us who needed training first and not the dogs. The lesson started by Frank firstly putting a lead on us, yes we mean, Frank had us on leads, not the dogs. This we found very funny and my husband was over the moon, as he had always wanted to get me under control and on a leash!!
 
Frank`s methods are very different from what we had previously learned, but are extremely effective and made a lot of sense to us.
 
We quickly learned that constructive repetition was the answer and we were very surprised on how quickly our dogs have learned.
 
Thank you Frank (Freddie) for all your help and we will continue our training lessons with you. So far we are very pleased with our progress and of course not forgetting the dogs.
 
We would have no hesitation on recommending Frank to our friends and colleagues.
 
Best Regards
Aprile & Gary Bennett

I first met Frank 18 months ago my ESS was coming up for 6 months and I needed a gundog trainer to put me on the right track. I googled trainers and found Franks website it sounded interesting with some good testimonials included so I plucked up the courage and rang him, I’m so glad I did as he has been excellent from our first lesson with him. I remember the first lesson vividly it was February and pouring with rain, as I drove to his house I nearly turned round as I was nervous and asking myself do I really want to do this. But I didn’t and the lesson was certainly different!! I really didn’t know what to expect as I was a complete newbie to the world of gundogs what I got from the first lesson was a complete revelation, he had me square bashing!! My young Springer watched on in bemusement sitting completely still through it all. I came away from the lesson with my homework and a date for the second lesson aswell as the words ‘advance’ and ‘about turn’ ringing in my ears!! Frank had made an impression on me and I was determined to get things right for the next session. I worked hard with my little dog and she made good progress right from the word go.
 
 I continued to see Frank twice a month in the initial stages, he didn’t rush things but expected me to put the work in being consistent with the commands and style and he would know if this wasn’t the case, I must have got things right as he has never yet made me do press-ups!! Each session I came away with homework only moving on to the next stage when I was happy and the dog was achieving. Frank always made sure that I was happy and confident with each lesson, allowing for questions if needed.
 
In May Frank asked me to help out at a BASC retriever gundog test, he needed dummy throwers and marshals I jumped at the chance as I could watch close up at the professionals and get some tips. What I witnessed fuelled me on even further with my Springer, I was so impressed with some of the dogs abilities it was incredible, I also had a sneaky peak at the spaniel test going on at the same time. Again I was excited by what I saw and decided then I wanted to enter competitions. This is a hard, competitive world to enter so I knew I had my work cut out for me. I met some lovely people at the test who I now see regularly at Frank’s group training sessions.
 
Since helping Frank at the gundog test I continued to have regular sessions with him and we went from strength to strength progressing from dummies to cold game. In the September I plucked up the courage and entered my dog in her first spaniel working test and boy was I nervous. It was a very enjoyable day spent with like minded people who were feeling just as nervous, the judges were very kind knowing it was our first test and I was in the category of first-time handler. All the way through the test I could hear Franks voice in my head as I tried to stay calm and put all his instructions to the test. The judges were very complimentary and liked my dog and she performed very well retrieving all her dummies and hunting well but I wasn’t really sure how we had done. When the time came to look at the score sheet I was amazed that we were in the run off for first place in the ‘first time handler’ section, sadly at the end of the day we came second but this didn’t dampen my spirits as my dog performed brilliantly and the judge’s comments were all positive telling me I should be proud of my dog. I came away with a big smile on my face and couldn’t wait to phone Frank.
 
It is now 18months down the line and each training session is still just as important I see Frank once a month now in a group setting with the occasional one to one if I am having problems. My Springer did some beating and picking up last year on a friends shoot and she did very well for her first season ( I didn’t disgrace myself either!) and we have even been invited back this year. Earlier this year we achieved the ‘Working Gundog Certificate’ through the London Cocker Spaniel Society, (Field section) and are eligible to collect this at Crufts next year on the gundog day which is very exciting. In October the spaniel field trials start so that is our next natural progression and I am looking forward to that.
All this would not be possible without Frank’s tuition aswell as teaching me how to train my dog he has also given me the confidence to enter the world of working tests and field trials which is very daunting but exciting at the same time.
We have come along way since that rainy day back in 2010 and I have enjoyed every minute of it, I have met some lovely people some of which are now friends. But we still have a lot to learn and I’m hoping Frank will continue to be there for us.
 
I cannot recommend Frank highly enough I am so glad I plucked up the courage to go to that first lesson he has been a great tutor for me and I have liked his style right from the word go (even the square bashing bit!) But the most important lesson Frank taught me in the initial stages was how to gain an understanding of how my dog thinks and I have never looked back since.

Sue Musselwhite July 2011

 

"I was recommended to Frank Walker by a friend of mine as I needed some advice on a number of minor issues; more to do with me as a handler rather than with my dog!  I booked a one to one lesson and although it was a little bit of a journey, it was well worth the effort.  After a friendly introduction over a cup of tea, we got started.  It soon became clear how the early foundations in dog training need to be made clear with repetition before going on to the next stage.  I could understand why Frank liked to start with training the handler before moving on to the dog!
 
I found the lesson extremely informative and came away with lots of homework to do on my own before practising with my dogs.  It really is worth the effort to go and see Frank for advice, he has a great training philosophy which worked well for me and my dog.  I was also impressed with how my dog worked for him; when the message is so clear from the handler, the rest seems to flow naturally.
 
I thoroughly recommend a lesson, the advice and a useful tip along the way makes it well worth it.
 
Amanda

Having taken to shooting a couple of years ago, I recently went to see Frank as I needed help in working my sister's Labrador, who she had trained from a puppy under his instruction. Her dog was much admired on our shoot and I had decided it was time for me to have a go myself.

It was slightly daunting having never worked a dog, nor even had a dog as a pet before, but as ex-forces myself I hoped some of the techniques would be familiar. I wasn't disappointed on this, Frank is using methods the Army has employed for years to train the most reticent pupils, and the benefits are clear, having not been on a parade square for years it soon came flooding back. Using a logical, simple and progressive series of exercises to increase the confidence of handler and dog, but also to help the handler understand exactly what the dog is experiencing, quickly forms a bond that I can only imagine more traditional methods take longer to install.

Moreover, I am very impressed how Frank has adapted military methods to take the best of a proven methodology and applied the best of it to this environment, rather than making the practice fit the method. The proof of this is in the flexibility, as the technique was just as user-friendly to my sister who has no experience of the military (until they have pink tanks anyway) as it was to me. I have no doubt Franks method's will benefit handlers of all backgrounds, I have no hesitation is recommending him to others.

Simon Ford

COCKER CONVERSION

I have been a labrador chap all my life and without the help of my daughter and trainer Frank Walker (no family connection) would have probably have remained so. 

The daughter pleaded to have a 'prettier' dog and was sufficiently interested in this to bother locating a litter of working Cockers. It turned out I knew the bitch which encouraged me, and so one pup, Darcy, was acquired. 

I thought all Spaniels were air-heads. Hmmm perhaps I'm one! The intelligence of the Cocker was amazing to the point where I had to quickly source a trainer who understood Spaniels to get me up to speed.

Spaniel number one, Darcy (the black one in the picture), went to Frank for two periods totaling nine weeks. The result was truly amazing then and three years on his performance is simply stunning, never puts a paw wrong. But possibly he is about to be surpassed by his half brother Jasper who is now just nine months - after six weeks with Frank will stop on a whistle, turn left, turn right, hunt, pick up and then drop a dummy on command, work out to 50m on seen birds 10m on blinds as of today. 

One of the great things about working with Frank is his precise and prescriptive approach to training both the dog and its owner. Maybe it is his military style, who knows. It is like having your car permanently  plugged into to a diagnostic computer. Everything is analyzed, adjusted, fine tuned. His new book works exactly like that too - it is a manual rather than a book and you can quickly get straight to the point that you want to read about and identify the key action points.

I think I may have a future Field Trial Champion. Jasper is tormented by energy. When relaxing he sits in his run and watches head up for blackbirds and pigeons, or if indoors at the moment watches the left / right passage of the yellow tennis ball at the Paris Open on a plasma screen. It could be worse. It could be chaos!

John Walker


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"I have an adolescent labrador who remains exhaustingly puppy-like. Since beginning to work with Frank only a matter of months ago, the dog and I have come on leaps and bounds both in our communication with each other and the prospect of him working successfully as a gundog. In working with Frank, you have to expect that he will read you, the handler, just as much as he will read your dog....like a book. I believe this, however, to be a huge part of his success...after all, whatever is happening with the dog, comes from you. Accept that responsibility and Frank will help you get to whatever level you require of your dog's training, with good humour, precision and clarity. Frank's genuine affection for the canine race is constantly apparent, albeit coupled (quite rightly) with the expectation that they do as they are told. I find Frank and I get on very nicely if I also do as I'm told...and I've learned to live with my inadequacy for only having two legs instead of four, and (worse) being a girl.

Quite seriously, when you see the fruits of your training and your dog flies out with enthusiasm from your side to carry out a retrieve, entirely under your control at all times (ahem), the feeling is like no other...and I have Frank's fantastic expertise to thank for that....oooooooh, I could kiss him!"

Nicola Ford

I have trained with Frank now for nearly 18 months. Frank doesn't train my dogs but teaches me what I need to know to achieve the goals I set myself. As with any learning process, it takes time, effort and patience of which Frank gives all 3. I probably dont need to continue to train with Frank as I have now aquired most of the skills and methods I need to train any of my dogs to a high standard. However, with Franks' experience every training session is an inspiration, and the pleasure I get from seeing my dogs develop is priceless. I recently entered my first BASC working gundog test at Fyfield, without any special preperation I thought it was time to experience for myself what this was all about. It was well worth it, my 3 year old cocker spaniel, Barney (Flys' Barney Rubble), achieved an impressive 1st place in the Novice Spaniel group. This has really inspired me to be more involved in working tests and perhaps some field trials at a later date. This wouldn't have been happening without the help and support I get from both Frank and Madeleine.

I have 6 Cocker Spaniels in all, quite a handfull. Without the training I have had it would be like world war 3 in our house, but this is not so, all 6 of my dogs are very obedient and are all a pleasure to live with.

If you are looking to train your dog, no matter what the breed, or the standard you are looking to reach, I still couldn't recommend a better trainer. The speed of the results really is quite astonishing.

Andrew Turner & "The Pack" - Barney, Tarka, Fly, Nellie, Willow and Solo.

Frank Walker
I have trained with Frank for many years. With his background in the Military our training sessions are always well organised and structured. Any new training exercise is always broken down into manageable parts, more I think for our benefit rather than for our dogs. He is always patient with us if we appear to struggle with any new exercise. This always ensures that both my dog and I enjoy our training and always look forward to the next training session.

Maurice Board &
"Remy" Woodlark Warrior (Liver Flatcoated Retriever)

Frank Walker
Frank Walker is well known in Essex as a Dog Trainer and 'course setter' for many major Essex Dog Tests. After a career in the Army and latterly as a specialist trainer for the Essex Police, he owns the Essex Gundog and Obedience School near LangenHoe in Essex. His speciality is Gundog training ~ all breeds, including Labradors, Spaniels and Pointers - through a methodical and easily applied system of basic training exercises. His purpose designed training system aims to teach the Dog Handler how to first develop basic obedience and steadiness in their dogs before moving on to advanced hunting and retrieving. It is a remarkably effective training system and of value both to the experienced handler and the complete novice.

Paul Payne

Frank Walker
I was recommended to Frank some 8 years ago when I needed advice on training my 1 year old Labrador Jess. Jess & I arrived for our first training session. It soon became apparent that it was not the dog that needed the training; she was a natural, but the owner!
Jess very quickly learned her trade under the care and guidance of Frank. I remember saying to Frank at one session that I think Jess had a problem with a particular part of the training, the reply came back 'the only problem that dog is its owner!' Frank is still trying to train the owner - the dog is great!
I am now attending training classes at Franks with my 2nd dog Ellie.
I would highly recommend Frank as a trainer. Whether you want to send your dog to him or go along with your dog, or a bit of both as I have done then you won't be disappointed. Frank has a no nonsense approach, he tells it as it is and gets the job done.

A big thank you to Frank and Madeline for their continued support and encouragement.

Mrs Marianne Jackson
24/06/2009

"Highly Recommended" *****

After years of studying books and watching DVD's, I started to search for a trainer for my Cocker Spaniels. On recommendation from some friends I was given Frank's number, and decided to give him a call.

I was quickly booked in for a lesson, with a friend of mine. I wont give the game away but the first lesson was to say the least unusual albeit very entertaining. It gave a foundation and understanding of dog training that I don't think I would have got from anywhere else - and utmost respect for my dog. We were given a set of tasks to complete over the next fortnight before we returned. The results were amazing and I returned for the next and subsequent lessons with much anticipation. Progress was speedy and the instruction was simple - I never thought training a gundog could be made so straightforward.

I'm still continuing with the training 4 months on and still just as enthusiastic as when I began, if not more so.

Many thanks go to Frank and Madeline for all their help, I would recommend them to anyone for Gundog or pet obedience training.

Andrew Turner

FRANK WALKER
Specialist in training you to train your dog.
Get rewarding results in simple easy to follow staged lessons. Available in one to one sessions or in small groups.

Residential training for your dog is also available. We only accept a maximum of 6 dogs at any one time, this ensures each and every one receives the maximum of attention to bring out their full potential.

Located in Langenhoe, near Colchester and with over 30 years experience you can be sure your dogs will receive the very best of care.
For more information on training available for
you or your dog, please contact Frank on:
Tel. 01206 735382
http://www.frankwalker.co.uk