What to Expect From Field Notes & Follies in 2026

Change is afoot… Don’t panic! Not that “oh my god, here comes a life crisis” sort of change. Just the good sort.

With the start of the new year quickly underway, I thought it was time to fill you in on what to expect over the next 12 months here at Field Notes & Follies.

Keep reading

Being the Teammate Your Dog Deserves

When we train our dog, it’s easy to focus on performance, results, and mistakes. But what if the most important thing isn’t what our dogs do… it’s how we show up for them? This post explores what it really means to be a good teammate in training.

Keep reading

Essentialism in Dog Training: Doing Less, But Better

This week I trained for a total of about 30 minutes, spread across three short sessions. And that was enough. When life is chaotic and your brain is fried, consistency beats intensity. Here’s how micro-sessions, clear conditions, and guilt-free decisions helped keep us moving forward.

Keep reading

Why Looking Back Matters: Finding Momentum in Your Gundog Journey

We often get caught chasing the next training goal without noticing how far we’ve already come. But looking back can reveal massive progress you’ve overlooked. This reflection on Josh’s journey with Zed shows how powerful it is to recognise those quiet wins and use them to build momentum.

Keep reading

In Tune: A Trial Weekend I Won’t Forget

Something shifted for us in the field this weekend, and it had nothing to do with ribbons or results. A small moment, mixed with a bit of wind and luck, taught me a lesson I didn’t realise I needed. Here’s what really happened out there.

Keep reading

Listening: An Underrated Skill in Dog Training

Listening is one of the most overlooked skills in dog training. We often hear without truly paying attention to people, and to our dogs. When we learn to slow down and make space for what’s being communicated, our training improves and our relationship with our dogs transforms.

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Field Notes in Your Inbox

Enter your email below to receive updates.

Welcome to Field Notes & Follies!

Hi, I’m Emily – a gundog enthusiast sharing stories, training insights and countryside life from New Zealand. It’s great to have you here.

Join the Pack!

Get field trial stories, training tips, and updates on resources delivered straight to your inbox.

Latest Field Notes

Browse by Topic