Welcome to Oakshot Gun Dogs

My name is Graham Slater and I run Oakshot Gundogs at my home between York and Harrogate in North Yorkshire.

I got my first dog when I was 9 years old.  She was a Jack Russell and we went everywhere together.  I spent my youth with my lurchers and then Spaniels, went fishing and later learnt to shoot.

I got my first lab to go picking up and pigeon shooting with.  I wanted him to be well trained, so picked peoples brains and read as many books on the subject as I could.  The ‘old school’ books stressed more ‘breaking’ a dog than we are used to now.  We have evolved into dog behaviourists these days, but  we have to understand why and how dogs learn .  I became hooked.

My passion these days is field trialling, and I like to compete in the odd working test during the summer to keep my dogs alert to commands, and because I’m competitive.    I also like to test if the training of young dogs is solid enough to cope with a new environment.

Gun dog training has now evolved into my profession.

My wife and I moved to our home now because the location was more suited to the dogs,  and with the co-operation of the local Estate families and farmers,  I have an ever changing training ground.

I am an accredited assessor for the Gundog Club.

We offer residential training for labs and spaniels.  One to one  - and dog and gun lessons.

Please feel free to ring and discuss whether we can help with your dogs training.