Importance of the "stop" command or Gavin meets a porcupine or DH has a sore throat

DH was walking Gavin off leash at the cottage when a porcupine waddled across the road 20 feet in front of them. Gavin made his move...DH screamed STOP and Gavin did -less than 5 feet from the porkie. He waited til DH leashed him up before regaining interest in the chase.

I taught stop early on, during walks. I would change pace and randomly yell stop and stop dead. Reward when he stopped and looked at me. My trainer taught it by calling the dog to you and lunging forward with palms outstretched and one knee down to the ground yelling stop.

I do not practice it anymore and only use in extreme circumstances to keep the element of surprise. Happy it still works! DH yelled so loud he hurt his throat. Lol.

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Permalink Reply by Diane, Hurley and Sidney on June 24, 2015 at 1:21pm

Your comment has reminded me that I need to practice STOP again. Have not been doing it much as really haven't needed it or at least I think I have not needed it.

Thank you for sharing.

Permalink Reply by BG and Gavin on June 24, 2015 at 1:52pm

Right Diane, just like insurance, you don't need it til you need it lol.

Permalink Reply by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on June 24, 2015 at 1:42pm

I agree it's key.....I use "WAIT". Murph is really good at it....he comes to a dead standstill. Guinness thinks about it for a minute or two. So glad that Gavin didn't end up "meeting" the porkie.

Permalink Reply by BG and Gavin on June 24, 2015 at 1:51pm

We use wait as well. I use it in non emergency situations, like at the door or if he is off leash and wandered too far ahead. If is more accurately, hey slow down

Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on June 24, 2015 at 2:42pm

Good dog, Gavin; good training, Mom.

This story reminded me of a discussion I posted here a few years back about the real reason that commands like "stop", "leave it" "stay", etc. are so important, which of course is that it might save their lives someday. (It was a pretty good discussion, if I do say so myself.) Anyway, I went back to find it and lo and behold, you related an incident where that solid "stop" command of Gavin's saved him from a far worse peril than that porcupine. I'm glad to hear he's still got it. :)

Here's the link: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/trainingmindsets/forum/topics/rem...

Permalink Reply by BG and Gavin on June 24, 2015 at 4:43pm

OMD my heart skipped a beat rereading that post! That day though

Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on June 24, 2015 at 5:23pm

I realized after rereading it that in that case, you weren't directing the "stop!" at Gavin, lol.

Permalink Reply by Ricki and Tara (doodle) on June 24, 2015 at 3:38pm

I'm so proud of you guys and a little envious too! I'm not sure Tara's "wait" has that much power behind it. I'll have to do some testing but not with a porcupine. And I think your DH deserves the Doodle Daddy of the Week award for going all out to save Gavin from much pain and misery! Great job-all of you!

Permalink Reply by BG and Gavin on June 24, 2015 at 4:48pm

I can't tell dh this..he will expect me to bake him a pie or something lol.

Permalink Reply by sandy b on June 24, 2015 at 4:45pm