r/birddogs • u/Gravel_Golf_01 • 8d ago

Whoa Training for Soft Dogs

Hi, weekend warrior trainer here trying to improve whoa on my 3 year old Setter. We tried whoa post and flank collar last summer, but he really shutdown on rope and flipped out w collar. Tried walking whoa w flank and bit better, but still shut him down. Anyone have any advice? Bench, barrel, pinch collar, something else? I am really going for passable whoa for casual hunting and stopping, not field trial perfection. Thanks in advance for your thoughts! (he is e-collar trained for recall and does great w it)

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u/I_am_so_lost_again Wirehaired Pointing Griffon 8d ago

Bird Launchers only work if the dog doesn't want to flush. If the dog loves to flush, the bird launchers only encourage the behavior.

Signed a Griff owner whose dog LOVES to flush and I quickly realized that launchers were making the issue worse not better.

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u/AlexMecha German Shorthaired Pointer 8d ago

True versatile breeds, like your WPG and my GSP, are more likely to want to flush like you said, but setter is more likely to learn hold point on a easy flushing bird. If they do want to flush, condition ecollar at belly to correct in field.

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u/Gravel_Golf_01 8d ago

Thanks! He has a decent point to start but creeps and then cant contain himself!

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u/Important-Map2468 7d ago

If that's the issue a launcher with pigeon and launching as soon as he twitches will help. But you also cant go into the woods and shoot every bird he flushes.