Darren Kirk - Kirkbourne Spaniels

“I have known Robert for around 15 years and worked with him on working tests and other training events. If anyone ever asks me for a trainer up in Scotland I always always send them to Robert.

He has a wealth of knowledge with all dogs and is always willing to assist the most difficult dogs along with handlers. If you need to get to the bottom of a problem or want to develop your skills with your dog, this is the place to come with some great events throughout the year, from one to ones, group training and much more, Robert gets my vote for sure.”

A few current and past clients

  • "I have trained spaniels with Robert for over 10 years and I am now on my 8th dog, Robert reads a dog and handler exceptionally well and his help and experience has seen me have various working test wins with 4 different dogs. I also had a Field Trial Award winner in my team. I was part of the team that won the National Gundog Team event at the Yorkshire Game Fair 2 years in a row. And I also won top dog overall at the first running of the event".

    Jim Hood

  • "I first trained for Robert back in 2014. Since then I’ve come over from Sweden for regular training sessions and weekend courses. When I was living in Scotland I was a frequent attendee at the Sunday training classes and his impeccable expertise, hands-on training methods and problem-solving drive has helped me immensely throughout the years with my dogs and made me into the handler I am today. Thanks to Robert I have been able to gain top rewards in both field trial and hunt tests back in Sweden. I can highly recommend Robert to anyone wanting to train their gundog. Whether it be for trials, tests or for having a steady, well-handled shooting partner in the field, Robert will work with you to find a way that brings out the best in your dog and your capability to train it. I’m forever grateful for all the valuable lessons he’s taught me and the knowledge he’s shared with me over the years".

    Claire Nicol

  • I needed help with my pup on dummy delivery issues, problem was I was in Northern Ireland. Robert solved both issues. 1. Invited me over to his home in Scotland to have a look at what was going on with the pup. 2. Solved the issue, turned out there was nothing wrong with the pup it was me, once he fixed me the delivery issue went away. I particularly like Roberts approach to Gundog Training so returned many times to partake in various activities he ran with group training and also one to ones. Over time and with Robert’s help I ended up with a gundog actively taking part in a commercial shoot back home in N.Ireland. I would happily recommend Polmaise Gundogs for help in training your dog be it for fun, competitions or working your dog in the field. The results speak for themselves.

    Jonny Morttran

  • I've been attending Roberts gundogs classes at Polmaise Gundogs for the last 8 years and I can not recommend highly enough. When I first started with Jake my first dog and first gundog I can safely say I knew nothing about how to train him. Robert took me through everything step by step and by attending regularly and experiencing all the opportunities available I was soon competing in working tests as well as working Jake beating and picking up. Safe to say I fell in love with the gundog world and got willow my first spaniel. Again with Roberts help and guidance both at classes and 121 lessons we have had a successful journey in working tests, the shooting field and even trials. now I have my new puppy and I look forward to seeing what adventures she will bring. Robert is a true dog man and always puts the education and learning of the dog at the centre of his classes. he will provide a bespoke program for you and your dog to achieve success.

    Julie Syme

  • "I cannot recommend Robert highly enough for his help and Knowledge in training dogs to whatever level you wish them for yourself. Over the years he has helped me and my dogs to succeed in all aspects of life, in the field and the home. He introduced me to the world of gundogs with my first Hungarian Vizsla “Radar” over 11 years ago teaching him the basics and more importantly teaching me as well. Just recently I was picked for the Scottish HPR team with my young dog Dexter, this would never have been possible without the help of Robert and the plan he put in place to help us be the best we could for our team. When you think you’re ready to give up and can’t move past a problem you’re having with your dogs Robert will come up with a solution and give you the knowledge and plan to get you to the other side. He’s a proper dog man and I wouldn’t hesitate to ask him or recommend him to anyone that’s needs a bit of common sense training for them and their dogs."

    John Tulloch

  • I found myself the proud owner of a Labrador retriever with no idea what I was getting in to. The breeder advised that I should consider gundog training. I contacted many trainers and because I was new to gundog training I was overlooked by many. Robert differed and invited me along to one of his group classes. That’s where my journey started. I found Robert very patient and encouraged me all the way. Robert eventually introduced me to working tests, trials and shoots. Giving me lots of opportunities. Robert helped me to get my first dog to a standard to be proud of. I am now attending classes with my second dog. Robert has an astonishing way that he is able to read dogs and humans alike. He once told me it was the human he had to train and not the dog. On reflection, he is absolutely right.

    Diane Simmons

Drew Allan

“In any educational parts of our life we meet good teachers and not so good teachers. My belief is that good teachers can adapt and convey their wealth of knowledge to the pupil they have in front of them.

The not so good teachers are frozen in the methods they have used over the years and are unable to accept there may be a better way to achieve the same or improved results. ‘The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.’ – George Bernard Shaw. Meaning change needs challenge otherwise we continue as before making little progress. Robert is one of those good ones. In many cases it’s not the dog that need to learn but the handler that needs to learn and understand the dog they are training. Only then do they become a partnership and work in sync. with each other. Unaware at the time but I was fortunate to have a very good pupil in the dog I had and with Roberts help we managed to achieve a very good partnership. We were fortunate to have many successes in the Test and International Circuit and also gained a Field Trial award. However, success in the competitive world of Gundogs should not be the ultimate goal. Having a good dog in the home, test, shooting field or whichever area of interest you and your dog wish to excel is far more important. The knowledge and understanding I gained over the years training with Robert has helped me continue my understanding of working and training with the dogs, we now have four.”