I guess I’m behind the times but I’ve never taught a dog to Whoa with a Whoa post. I got frustrated with a 2 1/2 year old knownothing dog I got a month ago, he didn’t even know his name. I’ve trained older dogs with just a choke chain and have a fine Gyp that was a knownothing when I got her before last season at 2 years old. I had issues with the new dog and started to get old school and beat him into submission, but he’s kind of soft and not that smart, he has a good nose and is bird crazy. I decided to try something different tonight and hitched him up to the fence. We’re finally getting somewhere with Whoa and I think any dog or gyp I get as an older contender will be broke this way. I’m a fan of the Whoa post. Any of y’all have experience with having to go out of your comfort zone to make a dog?

I use the whoa post with great results. But I have also use a barrel from time to time with good results. Right now I have a 1.5 year old ep put that is coming along fast with just a chock lead he is somewhat soft doesn't need much pressure. Just remember every dog is different what works good with one doesn't work that good with the next.

I think barrels and whoa post are a thing of the past. Now it’s check cords transitioned to the e collar

Smith’s “Silent Command System” uses the check cord and e-collar with the whoa post.

I start off on the whoa post. I introduce the e-collar the same day, that I introduce the whos post. Here's cracker on her first day with the whoa post;



I keep them on the whoa post only until I can get out in front of them, and then go to the yard for heel and whoa. Cracker tended to sit, so I had to start with the suitcase hitch. I go from the yard to longer walks. The pup has pretty well gotten it down after three weeks. It was only three days on the whoa post. Three weeks on heel and whoa.

yep...if you don't know what to do, beat them into submission, works with kids to

I use the Smith method on whoa post. It takes a lot of time (they recommend a month on the whoa post before transition to collar) but it works.

And you don't have to use a dedicated post. I've used truck bumper, tree, big rock, fence post... Sometimes changing the scenery is good.

Like many methods bird dog training related, it's not the be all end all, just another tool in the box. Helps in establishing point of contact b4 transitioning belly collar.

I never used the belly collar myself. My theory was that the dog could wear the e-collar on its neck while hunting the remainder of its life. It worked fine for me.

Update if anyone cares: I have had him standing like a gentleman on the Whoa post for quite a while but he couldn’t quite get that he needed to do the same thing when not hitched up to the fence. I was working out of town last week so he’s been sitting in the kennel with no pressure for 5 days. I worked him on the post for 10 minutes today and when I took him off he was standing until released every time! Maybe he’s not as dumb as I think and it just takes longer to teach an old dog new tricks. I was proud of him and I let him run the pasture. When I hollered at him to get in the pen the son of a bitch ran right in there with no electricity. Maybe he just likes to work in the rain. All of the mutts did great today. I can’t wait for the end of October! I hope we get a cold early winter and a cool wet opening weekend.

Now he's headed in the right direction.

That’s great news! It’s a good feeling to watch a dog do what it’s supposed to do.

Sometimes its the smarter, bullheaded dogs, that give us a run for our money. They try every other option, than the one you want first. Once they runout of ideas, they do wants asked of them. I've heard most of become great hunting dogs. I've only owned one,that made me want to beat my head against the wall.I didnt feel as bad, when he made a put on his thinking cap. I went on to hunt many years over him. I don't want another one like him, but he sure taught me a few things.