Training setter to Drop

[Judy]

Wasn't the drop trained in the days when the Setter would 'hold' the covey whilst the hunters dragged a net over dog and birds? Is that where it originally came from?

[Naj]

No need because the natural 'sett' of a setter on point allowed the net to be dragged over the sloping back of the dog.

Naj

[Ecotone]

Cheers lads. I remember hearing before that a dog in the drop position is less likely to break its stop than one that is stopped in the standing or upright sitting position.. But of course that is probably a generalization and a lot will be down to the individual dog and training.. I presume the drop is harder to train than the sit as a pup will often sit naturally with out having to touch it but by leaning your hand or body in over it to cause it to lift its head and plonk its backside. I mean I imagine training the drop would have to be a lot more hands on to get it used to the position and signal.

[Judy]

Shape the down the same way as the sit, with moving treats, not difficult as long as you keep the 'sweetie' very close to the dog's chest as you lure it into the down. Lure the sit then draw the dog's head down, sometimes you have to hold their bum in the sit briefly as you do it.

[munstyman]

Having never taught any of my dogs before a specific down, I thought it might be more difficult with this pup but it was no different. As Judy said, initially I put a treat I a clenched fist and dropped it to the floor, opening my hand only when she was in the right position. Mine cottoned on very quickly and the clenched fist has now become her down visual signal. I do a lot of these initial cues just before feed time during the four week house bound period so the pup gets plenty of repetitions and practise. I'm one that does not force the dog to do anything, so no touching or pushing, I let the dog volunteer the behaviour on its own, and only getting the reward when it does the correct thing.

I remember hearing before that a dog in the drop position is less likely to break its stop than one that is stopped in the standing or upright sitting position

There are whole derailed threads on that particular subject A self released stop is a self released stop, no matter what position the dog is in

[allan450]

You can train a setter to drop on any whistle. I work a pointing breed, often in high winds, and they'll respond at distance to the 210.5 I used for my spaniels. In any event if you're using a stop whistle on a pointer it will be more likely to be at close range on the point and flush.

Naj

I find and a lot of my trailing buddys with setters and pointers the dog responds better with a different pitch.At distance 300/400 yards the 210.5 doesnt cut it if a young dog gets a flush on a hare at that distance.

[Springfield Pointers]

If the dog is hunting at that distance, it should already be stopping to bumps without the whistle.

[Naj]

If a dog is trained to stop to a whistle then it should stop to it regardless of distance. But as SP says, I wouldn't place my hopes on a dog not chasing stuff at distance on a whistle, however loud. What if you can't see the dog!?

Naj

[trekmoor]

My first Brittany had her own way of dealing with any hares she bumped at long distance. If she thought I could see her she instantly sat to flush, if she thought I could not see her she instantly chased it ! She was a cunning little cow so, if, as she chased it she caught sight of me, she would at once cease to chase and then try to look 'nonchalant' !!

I have had one lab that behaved just as the brit did when she found fur at distance .

Wullie

[allan450]

If the dog is hunting at that distance, it should already be stopping to bumps without the whistle.

I did say young dogs.