Stop Wistle with spaniel?

[bunnybasher07]

hey all,

 

I have a wee spaniel called fizz she's 11 months and does everything perfect, quartering,hunting,retreiving, heel work .. but she doesnt stop on the whistle so therefore i cannot sit her to the flush thats the only problem.

 

so has anyone got any advice to get her to sit if not its the long lead? any advice would be much appreciated

 

Cheers,

GM

[Lloyd90]

Do ALOT of practice on a long lead, alot till its perfect, then slowly move onto it, try to keep it easy n fun

 

Im sure someone more advanced will be along to help Ive oly just taught my pup to sit although it is only the 2nd day I had her

[WGD]

Does she sit to the whistle? If not, that's your starting point. Start with her sitting to her normal command, then blow the whistle and build on that until she sits to the whistle. Do this by your side, at mealtimes etc.

 

To ensure she knows what is being asked, don't do it in a hunting situation initially, sit her up and walk away, recall her and stop her half way in, if she comes right in put her back to where she should have stopped. A narrow path is ideal for this. Don't do this too often or she will pre-empt the stop when you recall her.

 

Once she sits to the whistle you need build distance very gradually giving yourself the opportunity (i.e. be close enough) to correct her if she doesn't stop. Keep her hunting very close, within 3 or 4 yards of you, so you can stop her if need be.

 

If she doesn't stop when you whistle - and you are SURE she understands what is being asked - you must get to her and put her back where she was when you blew the whistle, EVERY time.

 

Hope this is of some use, based on my personal experience.

[MC]

 

I would add that you can do some training on the lead while out walking. With your dog walking to heal blow the stop whistle and she should sit. If not make her, and repeat a few times in each walk. Again as WGD said not too often and not at the same spot each time otherwise she will learn to sit at a point rather than on the whistle.

 

You should be able to blow the whistle, drop the lead and walk on with the dog sitting behind you. You can then practise the recall straight after.

[gdunc]

As the above - it's back to basics time.

 

Refrain from trying to stop her at range and limit your stop whistle to when she's close so you can get to her quick. Don't be harsh or aggressive but get her backside down fast every time and don't be too predictable. You may be at this for a few weeks to ensure she's 100%.

 

You mention dropping to flush, I presume on rabbits etc., and you need to stop this too - she's not ready for that until her stop is rock solid away from game.

[bunnybasher07]

Well.. after studying some spaniel DVD's and from friends and so on .. and what you have said all keep on doing what iam doin at the moment. Which is letting her hunt for a dummy (which isnt there) and then clapping once to get her attention then blowing the whistle with the hand up.. if she moves pick her up and put her back.. its just i have been doing this for a few weeks and not seeing a difference but i will try whats been suggested for a few weeks merged with what i am doing.

 

I have a plan in my head

 

Thanks for the replys

GM

[Spaniel]

Does she know what the stop whistle is ?

I start mine sitting for their food to voice, then once they do this i move onto whistle then hand signal....

Once i know they know what the command means, i move out into the field, if at any time they dont obey, take them back to the spot where you gave them the command, enforce it i.e make them sit and give them the command, plenty of praise and continue with their training.

[bunnybasher07]

yes she does stop when shes eating .. she stops and sits when i raise my hand no problem, bum right on the ground. iam goin to get her rock solid on the whistle before any of the sit to flush .. shes coming on well shes a fast learner

 

Cheers

GM