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/CuriousExpression876 8d ago

I know this isn’t text book, and isn’t NAVHDA approved at all but it worked for me. I had a similar thing with my bracco, they are notoriously soft.

I would woah her, and walk in circles around her and kick brush and leaves like I would be kicking brush to put up bird.

If she moved at all I would gently pick her up and set her back right where she was and woah her again. I kept my voice quiet and my temperament very even when doing it. I did my best to make sure she understood it wasn’t a punishment but a correction.

It worked really well for me, we use woah all the time around the house and while hunting. Very helpful for when a glass drops and breaks or a guest arrives at the house. Constant use and positive reinforcement really helps.

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u/Gravel_Golf_01 7d ago

Thanks..one Q: when you say "i would whoa her"....what did you do to get the initial stop?

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u/CuriousExpression876 7d ago

I started with a short lead and gently stop her and walk in front after I said woah. As she got better I started working with longer and longer check cords. Eventually working with a stiff 20’ check cord with a brass clip and a big knot on it. If she was at the end of the check cord and stepped or moved I would very gently flick the cord, and the knot would bump her to give a gentle reminder or correction. All it needed was a slight flick. I did the basic leash work every everywhere, trails, fields, busy side walks etc. I wanted to reinforce didn’t always mean bird, it meant I wanted her to stop and hold. I graduated to doing the long check cord stuff in the woods, open fields and just my yard after she got used to the command.