WHOA means sit?

By Any Kohly

Gun Dog Editor

One of our readers recently threw one at me I hadn’t heard or experienced for quite a while.  It seems that when he commands WHOA, his GSP pup stops, as he should but then SITS.  “What’s wrong with that”, one of my retriever training friends asked….

As a pointing breed, the dog is expected to find birds, point them and hopefully retrieve them.  As such, the whoa command is an integral part of training a pointing breed.  Keep in mind that the point is actually a stalking instinct and we humans use that instinct but with a slight modification which is to point and go no further as in most cases, we do the flushing, not the dog.  The problem with sitting at whoa rears its head as when we teach pup the WHOA command, and the try to incorporate WHOA into teaching staunchness on point.  This problem if not corrected early on can lead to bigger problems later.  The good news is that it is usually not that hard to fix.

Let’s assume that pup like most dogs is eager to please and really does want to do things the way we ask.  The problem here is that somehow pup has become confused and thinks sitting when the whoa command is given, is okay.  What we need to do at this point is reinforce the fact that WHOA not only means FREEZE, but to do so in an upright or standing position.

When I encountered this problem I used the whoa training table.  I like the table because it gets the dog up to your level and it also helps him to focus on you and what you are teaching him.  As you move pup down the table and command WHOA, watch him closely.  If pup tries to sit, stand him back up and stroke his back and reinforce the command.  Repeat this drill until pup executes the command properly.  After this we can move on to the check cord.

After pup has achieved success on the training table, attach the check cord to pups collar and then run the cord down his spine and make a loop around his flanks, just in front of his back legs.  Get pup in motion and command WHOA.  Pup should stop on a dime, in an up right position.  If not, apply enough upward pressure to the check cord to the lift the dog up and onto his hind legs.  Reinforce with lots of praise and continue a three to four more times and then end the session.  Repeat this drill daily or even several times a day until pup gets the message.

As always end each session on a positive note and remember, you decide when the training is over for the day not pup.

All the best,

Andy

By Any Kohly

Gun Dog Editor 

One of our readers recently threw one at me I hadn’t heard or experienced for quite a while.  It seems that when he commands WHOA, his GSP pup stops, as he should but then SITS.  “What’s wrong with that”, one of my retriever training friends asked….

 As a pointing breed, the dog is expected to find birds, point them and hopefully retrieve them.  As such, the whoa command is an integral part of training a pointing breed.  Keep in mind that the point is actually a stalking instinct and we humans use that instinct but with a slight modification which is to point and go no further as in most cases, we do the flushing, not the dog.  The problem with sitting at whoa rears its head as when we teach pup the WHOA command, and the try to incorporate WHOA into teaching staunchness on point.  This problem if not corrected early on can lead to bigger problems later.  The good news is that it is usually not that hard to fix. 

Let’s assume that pup like most dogs is eager to please and really does want to do things the way we ask.  The problem here is that somehow pup has become confused and thinks sitting when the whoa command is given, is okay.  What we need to do at this point is reinforce the fact that WHOA not only means FREEZE, but to do so in an upright or standing position. 

When I encountered this problem I used the whoa training table.  I like the table because it gets the dog up to your level and it also helps him to focus on you and what you are teaching him.  As you move pup down the table and command WHOA, watch him closely.  If pup tries to sit, stand him back up and stroke his back and reinforce the command.  Repeat this drill until pup executes the command properly.  After this we can move on to the check cord. 

After pup has achieved success on the training table, attach the check cord to pups collar and then run the cord down his spine and make a loop around his flanks, just in front of his back legs.  Get pup in motion and command WHOA.  Pup should stop on a dime, in an up right position.  If not, apply enough upward pressure to the check cord to the lift the dog up and onto his hind legs.  Reinforce with lots of praise and continue a three to four more times and then end the session.  Repeat this drill daily or even several times a day until pup gets the message.

As always end each session on a positive note and remember, you decide when the training is over for the day not pup. 

All the best, 

Andy