whoa breaking

[Sharon]

I don't really use the words- "whoa, break". Do you mean steady to flush and shot? The earliest dog I had was 10 months when he decided to hold his birds.

[Dashin Gun Dogs]

If you mean "whoa" training, then I would say it takes on average about 3-weeks. It has taken me as long as 6-weeks to get some "whoa" trained.
What do I considered "whoa broke"? When the dog is running in any field and as far away as 150yrds, and I say "whoa" (without the use of an e-collar). The dog stops and don't move until I release them. That is "whoa" broke. It is also the best life saving command there is. I use the "sit" command the same way with my labs.

[4dabirds]

I think putting a time line on training for any behavior is a bad idea. If one person is a motivated retiree he will have more time to train then even a pro who will have to attend to many dogs. And some one who needs to travel to train and works a full time job will find it a lot harder. Take your time with every step and make sure its right and enjoy it while it is there.

[birddog1968]

I'm not whoa "breaking" them in the same sense of the word as I used too....

If I think one would benefit from more structured "breaking" i will do that but now we just work on getting them honest on their birds and teach whoa at that point. Then its quickly on to Stop to flush. Takes anywhere from 3 weeks to how ever long it takes. Most come around really quick 3weeks or so.

[Retiredbirddogman]

IMO - the dog will answer the question on how long, after you decide to what level you want to take her/him. As others mentioned the dog stopping at 150 yards with no e-collar on is much different than stopping in the yard with an e-collar. My one year old GSP is steady to wing and shot, has had flushed birds land close to her, and stood her point, (my training mistake). She will stop in the yard running free and will stop in the field (but she has the collar on in case reinforcement is needed) but will she stop at 150 yards with no ecollar.... I Don't know, I won't give her the chance to need the correction without having the ability to make it at this age.... Is she whoa broke? Some would say no, partially, not fully etc.
That is why IMO it is a matter of what is satisfactory to you and how quickly that dog learns. Trainer skills come into account as well, but that is another discussion.
I know, I know "whoa broke is whoa broke"...... how about chasing a female in heat? I am whoa broke. ;o)
Good luck.

[birddogger]

I think putting a time line on training for any behavior is a bad idea. If one person is a motivated retiree he will have more time to train then even a pro who will have to attend to many dogs. And some one who needs to travel to train and works a full time job will find it a lot harder. Take your time with every step and make sure its right and enjoy it while it is there.

+1. IMO, you can't set a time limit on it. There are just too many variables involved.

Charlie

[ROX-L]

For those of you having success in three weeks. What method(s) were you using?