A JOURNEY FOR EVERY GUNDOG

Ourano Training, makes use of a wide variety of properties and locations, and differing terrains to have your dog as well versed in various habitats, conditions and most importantly, game bird species as possible.

This is paramount in developing a complete, and accomplished gundog. Training is based on various outlines and timeframes, and is clearly outlined for your perusal below.

A JOURNEY FOR EVERY GUNDOG

OURANO PACKAGES

All of Ourano Training’s packages are modelled on the natural predatory instincts and nature of your dog. This innate understanding is what I have spent decades understanding and grasping. There is no negative reinforcement, and no treat driven success. And while it is a gentle, patient, holistic approach, the training is intense as it is every day, sometimes three times a day, depending on the dog. 

The results are guaranteed. I prefer a smaller, more personal approach to this impassioned way of living, and due to this, I am the only trainer available to your dog, and to the owner. For this, a very personal relationship is built. The best end result is that every new dog an existing client may welcome to his or her family, will also become a proud Ourano graduate and a true hunting companion

At the initial consultation with any interested owners or parties, some aspects will be covered and aired as to what the owner would like to achieve, their expectations, their application for the dog, the dogs training history, any ‘negative’ issues the owner may be concerned with in their dog, and what sort of final product the owner might expect. Once this briefing is adjourned, the new prospect will be booked in from the agreed upon date of commencement to the projected date of graduation with the individual notes of each dog kept on record throughout his or her training period.

 A clear picture will be in place for both owner, trainer and most importantly, dog. Please be advised that certain issues like gun shyness are treated individually and need a very gentle, patient approach to rectify these sorts of cases. It should also be noted that certain issues like gun shyness can sometimes take longer than the usual timeframe

BASIC

  • One full month of training.
  • Includes boarding, feed, and training.
  • Any vet bills incurred are that of the owner.
  • Can be taken out month to month.
  • Covers the basics with a well balanced introduction to birds, hunting scenarios and basic commands.
  • Open to all dogs from 8 months of age.

INTERMEDIATE

  • Spread over two months solid.
  • Covers boarding, feed and training.
  • Owners visit once a month to avoid disruptions.
  • The basics will be covered, through to more advanced commands and scenarios.
  • Correct bird/game introduction as well as exposure to more game bird species.
  • Open to all dogs from 8 months of age.
  • Ourano handover ceremony on completion.

ADVANCED

  • Runs consistently for three months solid.
  • Owners may visit once a month.
  • Ensures a well rounded hunting friend to serve you for the duration of their hunting career, and continues their learned behaviours throughout its working life.
  • Dogs from around 12 months of age onwards can typically be expected to be hunted over at the completion of this package.
  • Ourano handover ceremony on completion.

TRAINING CAMPS

Training camps are specialised trips for dogs that have been previously trained by Ourano Pointers


  • For dogs who can be handled on a variety of wild birds, in tough, wild conditions.
  • The most popular and challenging of these are the various Greywing camps.
  • These Greywing camps typically take place in the cooler months, and over a period of roughly two weeks.
  • Ensuring your working companion unparalleled exposure to a healthy amount of arguably one of – if not – the most challenging terrestrial gamebirds in the world!
  • In the most breathtaking and beautiful of surrounds!
  • Owners will receive semi professional photographs of their best friend, working in unbelievable picturesque surroundings.
  • Dogs will be fed, trained, and boarded safely and securely for the duration of the two weeks.

OURANO PACKAGES

All of Ourano Training’s packages are modelled on the natural predatory instincts and nature of your dog. This innate understanding is what I have spent decades understanding and grasping. There is no negative reinforcement, and no treat driven success. And while it is a gentle, patient, holistic approach, the training is intense as it is every day, sometimes three times a day, depending on the dog. 

The results are guaranteed. I prefer a smaller, more personal approach to this impassioned way of living, and due to this, I am the only trainer available to your dog, and to the owner. For this, a very personal relationship is built. The best end result is that every new dog an existing client may welcome to his or her family, will also become a proud Ourano graduate and a true hunting companion

At the initial consultation with any interested owners or parties, some aspects will be covered and aired as to what the owner would like to achieve, their expectations, their application for the dog, the dogs training history, any ‘negative’ issues the owner may be concerned with in their dog, and what sort of final product the owner might expect. Once this briefing is adjourned, the new prospect will be booked in from the agreed upon date of commencement to the projected date of graduation with the individual notes of each dog kept on record throughout his or her training period.

 A clear picture will be in place for both owner, trainer and most importantly, dog. Please be advised that certain issues like gun shyness are treated individually and need a very gentle, patient approach to rectify these sorts of cases. It should also be noted that certain issues like gun shyness can sometimes take longer than the usual timeframe

BASIC

  • One full month of training.
  • Includes boarding, feed, and training.
  • Any vet bills incurred are that of the owner.
  • Can be taken out month to month.
  • Covers the basics with a well balanced introduction to birds, hunting scenarios and basic commands.
  • Open to all dogs from 8 months of age.

INTERMEDIATE

  • Spread over two months solid.
  • Covers boarding, feed and training.
  • Owners visit once a month to avoid disruptions.
  • The basics will be covered, through to more advanced commands and scenarios.
  • Correct bird/game introduction as well as exposure to more game bird species.
  • Open to all dogs from 8 months of age.
  • Ourano handover ceremony on completion.

ADVANCED

  • Runs consistently for three months solid.
  • Owners may visit once a month.
  • Ensures a well rounded hunting friend to serve you for the duration of their hunting career, and continues their learned behaviours throughout its working life.
  • Dogs from around 12 months of age onwards can typically be expected to be hunted over at the completion of this package.
  • Ourano handover ceremony on completion.

TRAINING CAMPS

Training camps are specialised trips for dogs that have been previously trained by Ourano Pointers


  • For dogs who can be handled on a variety of wild birds, in tough, wild conditions.
  • The most popular and challenging of these are the various Greywing camps.
  • These Greywing camps typically take place in the cooler months, and over a period of roughly two weeks.
  • Ensuring your working companion unparalleled exposure to a healthy amount of arguably one of – if not – the most challenging terrestrial gamebirds in the world!
  • In the most breathtaking and beautiful of surrounds!
  • Owners will receive semi professional photographs of their best friend, working in unbelievable picturesque surroundings.
  • Dogs will be fed, trained, and boarded safely and securely for the duration of the two weeks.

A WORD FROM CHRIS

Read more about the founder of the Ourano kennel in his personal journal piece.

HISTORY

It is safe to say that Ourano Training has been a long time coming. Having started in earnest, training my own gundogs from 8 years of age, this passion and more importantly continuous learning curve has been ongoing into its third decade now. I have made it my life’s ambition and purpose to understand a dogs psyche from the inside out – most notably from a predatory perspective. After all, that is what a gundog is, a predator that was domesticated, to work with man, and thus to provide food. 

I have travelled Europe and spent time with the very best and respected legends of the European gundog world –  People, who I am fortunate enough to now call friends. In my travels, I opted to be quite literally on the ground; learning, cleaning, sponging wisdom, and with an eager ear, listening to all I could from men who have been doing this for their entire lives and who have lived at the very peak of the grand sport that field trials and hunting tests represent in Europe.

HISTORY

It is safe to say that Ourano Training has been a long time coming. Having started in earnest, training my own gundogs from 8 years of age, this passion and more importantly continuous learning curve has been ongoing into its third decade now. I have made it my life’s ambition and purpose to understand a dogs psyche from the inside out – most notably from a predatory perspective. After all, that is what a gundog is, a predator that was domesticated, to work with man, and thus to provide food. 

I have travelled Europe and spent time with the very best and respected legends of the European gundog world –  People, who I am fortunate enough to now call friends. In my travels, I opted to be quite literally on the ground; learning, cleaning, sponging wisdom, and with an eager ear, listening to all I could from men who have been doing this for their entire lives and who have lived at the very peak of the grand sport that field trials and hunting tests represent in Europe.

PHILOSOPHY

This knowledge I have garnered is not for any one dog, but for all gundogs in general. An understood, happy gundog, will in turn perform its task happily and make a happy handler and owner. That is my sole concern. It is, and always will be, about the dogs first and foremost. I have opted to specialize in all pointing breeds, to deliver a world class hunting companion for the discerning foot hunter. However, the flushing and retrieving breeds can also be accommodated based on monthly availability and space. My mentor in Europe had me well versed in a broad spectrum of gundog breeds. Springer Spaniels, Working Cocker Spaniels, Labradors etc are all accommodated so as long as each and every owner of each beautiful breed buys into the Ourano philosophy; 

The dogs are and always will be the protagonists and star attractions, and, time and patience is what each training module is based on. There is no rush, there is no force training and zero shortcuts. This is a holistic approach to ensure that you and your best friend share a decade or more of happy memories afield.

PHILOSOPHY

This knowledge I have garnered is not for any one dog, but for all gundogs in general. An understood, happy gundog, will in turn perform its task happily and make a happy handler and owner. That is my sole concern. It is, and always will be, about the dogs first and foremost. I have opted to specialize in all pointing breeds, to deliver a world class hunting companion for the discerning foot hunter. However, the flushing and retrieving breeds can also be accommodated based on monthly availability and space. My mentor in Europe had me well versed in a broad spectrum of gundog breeds. Springer Spaniels, Working Cocker Spaniels, Labradors etc are all accommodated so as long as each and every owner of each beautiful breed buys into the Ourano philosophy; 

The dogs are and always will be the protagonists and star attractions, and, time and patience is what each training module is based on. There is no rush, there is no force training and zero shortcuts. This is a holistic approach to ensure that you and your best friend share a decade or more of happy memories afield.

IN PRACTICE

Of course, it should always be noted that as with humans, all dogs are individuals and some take to objectives quicker than others and vice versa. This is where I will be in key communication with the owner to keep them up to speed with their best friends progress and most importantly, manage expectations

Another aspect to take on board is that a gundog can improve and get better every year of it’s life until it’s retirement, so, ‘trained’ dogs coming back is not an uncommon occurrence and should always be a consideration, as well as ‘older dogs’. The old adage, ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’, couldn’t be further from the truth. I consistently train dogs 4 years and older.

IN PRACTICE

Of course, it should always be noted that as with humans, all dogs are individuals and some take to objectives quicker than others and vice versa. This is where I will be in key communication with the owner to keep them up to speed with their best friends progress and most importantly, manage expectations

Another aspect to take on board is that a gundog can improve and get better every year of it’s life until it’s retirement, so, ‘trained’ dogs coming back is not an uncommon occurrence and should always be a consideration, as well as ‘older dogs’. The old adage, ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’, couldn’t be further from the truth. I consistently train dogs 4 years and older.

TRAINING PARTNERS

2019 EUROPOEAN CHAMPIONSHIP PARTICIPANCE

Ournao Pointers was appointed into the Cyprus National Team participating in the European Campionships (Field Trials for British Pointing Dogs) by the Cyprus Setter Club. 

PROUDLY PARTNERED WITH EUKANUBA

Ourano Training is in a feeding partnership with Eukanuba, and is proud to associate ourselves with such a world class dog food to provide sound nutrition for your high powered athletes.