We have just started training "stop" in our weekly training session. My trainer is really good and has shown us all a couple of ways. I want to put the cue on whistle, so I was thinking a couple of years ago (pre-Mabel) I saw a really nice little training video with Pippa and her choccy lab Rachel showing precisely how to do this.(well I think I did ). I've looked in several places and can't see it I'm sure Im being completely blonde and Ive just missed it. Does anyone please have any suggestions. I'd found a few other training videos on YouTube and wasn't that happy with them Thank you
Hi Claire, there was a video as you said but not a clue where I saw it, sorry. Although I found it quite long winded (sorry Pippa xx) Heidrun told me how she teaches the stop whistle which is, hope I got this right I would get Hattie to sit and as she did I blew my stop whistle went to her and treated. Very gradually I increased my distance and over time when she wasn't watching me I blew my whistle and she would sit/treat. You can also throw the treat to Mabel too, also you could get her to sit on a mat or if you could get a placeboard this helps too, I use a mat for Charlie and move it gradually to get distance. I gradually built up the distance and introduced distractions. You can also start by getting Mabel to sit by the road side and blow your whistle, at the gate, before you feed her, before she gets in the car etc. so that she gets the idea. Don't forget to use high value treats as it's new training. Hattie now has an excellent stop whistle and only today was stopped in the face of 3 Muntjacs That's how I did but I'm sure there are many ways xx
I had a look but also can't find the video. I know it's out there, somewhere, because I remember struggling to find it last time, too! I found, with W&S, holding a ball in my hand in the air worked really well and introduced distance immediately. I started with Pippa's method, but found it hard to add the distance. I can't remember it in detail, though, sorry.
Thank you Helen, (@charlie) that makes complete sense. Well done Hattie those little Muntjacs are certainly exciting. Mabel will recall away from them although it's just nice to have an alternative cue. Keeps life interesting.
@charlie sorry forgot to add, what a good idea blowing the whistle as she sits by the road side. She has done that for ages and won't cross the road now without a sit no matter how small the road is. I'll give it a go tomorrow.
I didn't use the video, but I used the written instructions with success. I did go a bit off-piste as we progressed, finding what works for us, but they're a great start http://totallygundogs.com/stop-whistle-1-whistle-sit-at-heel/
