The Vizsla Newzsletter (April / May 99)
Bad 'hare' ...night!

Image:A couple of hunters and their Vizslas after a days hunting in the Hawkes Bay (New Zealand).

The "whoa" command tells the dog to stop and stand stay until released. Like the Obedience Training "Drop on Recall" exercise, the "whoa" is used at random with a bird dog. The command does not have to be the actual word "whoa" (it can be easily confused with "no"), and I prefer to use "whup" because of the hard ending consonant.

There are many different methods to train a dog to "whoa", but the easiest I have found is as follows. As usual, the training process requires a teaching part and a demanding part. Part 1 of Training to Whoa covers teaching the dog the "whoa" command.

First, lead break your dog such that you can walk your dog without it being choked by its pulling. Usually, you do this with a choke chain.

Second, develop the habit of "whoaing" your dog at the door: whenever your dog is at the door wanting out (or kennel door if your dog lives outside), give the "whoa" command at the door before opening it. Open the door slowly. If your dog moves to go out before your release (I use "okay"), slam the door on your dog, not hard enough to break bones or injure your dog, but hard enough to make it come back inside. Eventually, every time your dog wants out, you will be able to "whoa" your dog, open the door wide, and your dog will not move until you give a release command.

Next, for about 15-20 minutes each day for five days, walk your leadbroken dog and randomly give the "whoa" command and stop. Your dog should stop and stand in the heel position beside you. If not, or if it sits (due to obedience work), stand your dog up and repeat the command. Your dog should not be allowed to move a foot. Vary the length of time you remain standing from a few seconds to up to a minute. Give your release command before you walk again and praise your dog.

For the next five days, repeat the previous step, but step away from the dog while holding the lead. If your dog moves even a single paw, put it back in position and repeat the "whoa" command. Vary the length of time away from the dog, and your position relative to the dog at the end of the lead. Give your release command before you walk again and praise your dog.

During the next five days, repeat the previous step dropping the lead as you walk away. Again vary the time away from the dog and the distance you move away. If your dog moves reposition and repeat the "whoa" command. Give your release command before you walk again and praise your dog.

By this time, with your work in the house or at the kennel gate (which should become a life long habit for you and your dog, and good manners for your dog to boot) as well as the walking exercises, your dog should be "whoaing" nicely under controlled circumstances.

Part 2 will address expanding the "whoa" to totally off-lead, to get to where it can be used in field training.