BGT TRAINING MILESTONES (FULL FRAMEWORK)

Each milestone is a binary standard: the dog either meets it or does not. No grey areas. No “almost”.

1. Foundation Milestones (8–14 weeks)

These determine whether the puppy can enter structured work.

  • Calm handling — accepts collar, lead, touch without resistance

  • Name response — immediate head turn, 90% reliability

  • Recall to handler — short distance, no bribing

  • Sit & stay — 5–10 seconds, no creeping

  • Hold conditioning — calm mouth, no chewing

  • Placeboard introduction — mounts board confidently

Milestone Outcome: Puppy is ready for structured control work.

2. Control & Structure Milestones (14–20 weeks)

These determine whether the dog can begin early gundog tasks.

  • Lead precision — loose lead, no forging

  • Sit/stay to 30 seconds — handler can step away

  • Recall past distraction — 80% reliability

  • Delivery to hand — clean, no circling

  • Straight retrieves — 10–15m, no hunting

  • Early memories — 5–10m, straight line

  • Whistle cues — sit, recall, hunt whistle basics

Milestone Outcome: Dog can begin early gundog skills and short retrieves.

3. Early Gundog Milestones (20–28 weeks)

These determine readiness for structured fieldwork.

  • Retrieves to 30m — straight, confident

  • Memories to 15m — no deviation

  • Light obstacles — logs, grass, dips

  • Early hunting pattern — controlled quartering

  • Stop whistle short distance — immediate sit

  • Water introduction — calm entry

  • Gunshot introduction — neutral response

Milestone Outcome: Dog is safe and ready for core gundog training.

4. Core Training Milestones (6–12 months)

These determine whether the dog can work in real field setups.

  • Marks to 60m — straight, confident, no switching

  • Memories to 40m — holds line under pressure

  • Simple blinds — 20–40m, takes initial line

  • Water retrieves — clean entry, direct swim

  • Stop whistle at distance — sits within 1 second

  • Casting off placeboards — left/right/back clean

  • Steadiness to thrown dummies — no creeping

  • Quartering pattern — controlled, rhythmic

Milestone Outcome: Dog is ready for advanced handling and pressure work.

5. Advanced Work Milestones (12–18 months)

These determine readiness for pre‑field proofing.

  • Long blinds 100m — holds line, minimal suction

  • Cross‑wind blinds — correct compensation

  • Water blinds — takes line, no bank running

  • Double marks — memory + marking accuracy

  • Angle backs — clean, no drift

  • Push/pull handling — responsive, confident

  • Hunting in heavy cover — persistent, controlled

  • Steadiness to flush — no movement

Milestone Outcome: Dog is ready for field‑realistic pressure and cold game.

6. Pre‑Field Proofing Milestones (18–24 months)

These determine readiness for the first shooting season.

  • Walked‑up lines — heel, stop, mark, no noise

  • Drive simulation — calm, steady, focused

  • Picking from hot areas — ignores old scent

  • Cold game introduction — confident, clean mouth

  • Picking runners — controlled chase, clean pick

  • Stop whistle with birds running — absolute compliance

  • Water work under pressure — no hesitation

Milestone Outcome: Dog is field‑ready.

7. First Season Milestones (24–30 months)

These determine whether the dog can work as a reliable shooting companion.

  • Peg dog behaviour — silent, steady, calm

  • Simple marks & blinds in the field — no switching

  • Picking from drives — efficient, controlled

  • Runners — confident, safe, reliable

  • Multi‑dog environments — no interference

  • Heavy cover retrieves — persistent, straight

Milestone Outcome: Dog is a competent, reliable working gundog.

8. Fully Trained Gundog Milestones (30 months+)

These define the finished article.

  • Steady to shot, fall, flush, movement

  • Retrieves any terrain, any distance

  • Clean long‑range handling

  • Purposeful hunting

  • Quiet, calm, professional

  • Works solo or in a team

  • Recovers runners confidently

Milestone Outcome: Dog meets the BGT definition of a fully trained gundog.