This month we continue our WHOA command training program
with Lesson # 3 from Paul Long’s, “Training Pointing Dogs”. If you missed the
first two lessons, go to March and April’s tips respectively.
Your dog should now be on the 30-foot check cord. Start by
spending a few minutes on Lesson # 1 then proceeding to Lesson # 2. You should
always start your WHOA command training with the previous lessons to remind the
dog what he has already learned. Now after heeling and whoaing, step to the
front at a 45-degree angle. If you step directly in front of the dog, he most
likely will follow you as you have trained him to do so in Lesson # 1. In going
45 degrees to front shows him something a new. Use the procedure learned in
Lesson # 2 until the results are
achieved. Then you can proceed to walk straight in front of the dog. Keep
repeating until you can walk all around the dog. Repetitive drill is all that
is needed to make your dog stand at the command WHOA, no matter where you move.
Now, with check cord on ground, move out 25, 50 to 100 feet. Your dog should
remain in place until you give him a command to move. If he doesn’t, go back to
the previous lesson.
Now is a good time to add the recall (HERE/COME previously
learned)) command to your drill. You are now beginning to get complete control
of your dog. Stop by again next month for Lesson # 4. See you then.
CJ , Shawnee & Duchess