I am working my way through Pippa's stop whistle training on totallygundogs.com. I am on to section 2, my question is, on section 2a, why do you blow a second stop whistle before returning to the dog? I hadn't got this step fixed in my head so I'd carried on without, i.e. several steps, turn round to face the dog and then return & reward. So far Coco has remained seated, waiting for me. Hopefully I can get an answer before we carry on tomorrow..
I didn't work through totallygundogs it was Heidrun's method I used (sorry Pippa ) I didn't blow a second whistle I just returned to the dog when they stopped/sat and rewarded. I suppose the second whistle maybe reinforces the stop. If he stops/sits and waits for you that's what you want Sorry not much help Sue x
I don't do this but I read in one of the gundog club guides that the idea is to help condition the dog to associate the sound of the whistle with sitting at a distance looking at you (even thought they are already sitting) - and also to associate the whistle with something nice (ie you returning and rewarding) I actually prefer to send the dog to a mat or placeboard and use the whistle as they were about to sit anyway to condition the whistle sit at a distance.
You are just associating the stop whistle with the dog at a distance and looking at you and also (because, depending on how you train it, the stop whistle can become negative for the dog) you blow the stop whistle before something good happens (you returning to the dog). I didn't train stop whistle like this though.
OK, I understand. I will try adding the extra stop whistle & see how Coco responds. I do want him to associate it with something good. At the moment I think he is, as the timings are quite short & he appears to be enjoying the learning - so this is a positive thing for him.
