About us

Hi, I’m Sam — founder and head trainer at Gladrock Gundogs, based in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. I work with all breeds and levels, but I have a real soft spot for HPR breeds and Labradors, who have played a huge role in my own journey. 

Dogs have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in Belgium surrounded by working dogs – my dad was a professional hunter, so dogs were part of everyday life. Some of my earliest memories are of my Jack Russell proudly retrieving ducks from the pond or shooting grouse over setters on the Scottish moors. Those moments left a mark on me, even if I didn’t realise it at the time.

For years I lived a very different life in London, working as a music festival and events producer. It was fast-paced and exciting, but I found myself craving something more grounded. When my partner and I moved to Scotland, I brought home two Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas with the dream of training and working them in the field. They quickly became the centre of my world, and training them gave me the confidence to turn a lifelong passion into my career.

Today, I run Gladrock Gundogs working with owners and their dogs in 1:1 sessions, home visits, and online training. My style is friendly, fun, and consistent, using a balanced approach that helps both dog and owner feel more confident together. For me, the most rewarding part of this work isn’t just a well-trained dog – it’s seeing the bond between dog and owner grow, and knowing they both walk away fulfilled.