Stop whistle training at distance

Why it matters

A dog that stops reliably at ten metres needs the same skill tested honestly at fifty. Distance work on the stop whistle is what makes handling and blind retrieves possible later on.

Set up

• Warm up with a few close range stops to confirm the response is sharp.
• Have a check cord ready for any dog whose stop is not yet fully reliable off lead.

Run the drill

1. 1Send the dog out on a simple retrieve or send it away to explore a short distance.
2. 2Give one pip while its back is partly turned to you.
3. 3Walk out and reward the stop in position if it holds, or reset calmly with the check cord if it does not.

Make it harder

• Stop the dog at increasing distances across open ground.
• Stop the dog while it is returning with a dummy, not just going out.
• Add a change of direction after the stop, sending the dog on a new line.

Common mistakes

• Testing distance before the close range response is bulletproof: go back a step if the dog is missing pips.
• Calling the dog's name along with the pip: keep the stop whistle silent and separate from the recall.
• Walking towards the dog too quickly after a stop: pause and let it settle before moving on.