Why Fundamentals Matter
Hello friends, Pat here. After 40 years of training retrievers, there’s one lesson I keep circling back to: the basics are everything. Whether you’re a seasoned handler or just starting out, the cornerstone of your success comes down to mastering the essentials. Today, I want to dive into two commands that can make or break your training journey: Go(Back) & Stop(Sit).
These commands sound simple, but true mastery involves more than just teaching your dog to respond—it’s about how they respond when the pressure is on.
Why Basics Aren’t Always “Easy”
When I meet handlers who say their basics went “great” without a hitch, I get concerned. Challenges in training aren’t setbacks; they’re opportunities. Your dog needs to face a few hills, conquer some doubts, and emerge battle-tested. Why? Because those hard-earned lessons in basics are what build resilience and problem-solving in advanced work.
A solid foundation isn’t just about ticking off milestones—it’s about preparation for the inevitable problems that arise down the road.
🎥 Want to see these concepts in action? Watch my video here, where I break this down further and share real-world examples of how to master “Go” and “Stop.” But keep reading too.
Direct Pressure vs. Indirect Pressure: Know the Difference
Let’s break down a concept that every trainer needs to grasp, Direct Pressure versus Indirect Pressure.
Direct Pressure applies directly to a command—like using a gentle tug on the lead to reinforce a “sit” or a nick on “here.” It’s straightforward and reinforces a specific action.
Indirect pressure, on the other hand, carries over from one behavior to another. For example, when a dog fails to cast and you correct with a sit whistle, you’re indirectly reinforcing their need to pay attention. The correction carries over, reinforcing attention and compliance.
Understanding these distinctions is critical to ensuring your dog is prepared for the challenges of advanced training.
Why “Back” and “Sit” Are Non-Negotiable
The commands “back” and “sit” aren’t just basic cues; they’re lifelines in advanced work. Here’s why:
Back: In the field, you’ll often need your dog to persevere through hesitation—whether it’s water they don’t want to enter or hanging up in drag back scent. Training your dog to respond to direct pressure to reinforce back, even when they don’t want to, is essential.
Sit: The sit whistle might be the most valuable tool in your arsenal. A reliable sit under pressure ensures your dog will stop immediately, focus, and wait for direction. If your dog slips whistles or doesn’t stop when corrected, you’re reinforcing the wrong behavior. 90% of the time when blinds fall apart, it’s the stopping mechanics that falters first.
Pressure Under Pressure: The Real Test
Here’s where things get tough. It’s easy to believe your dog has mastered “Go” or “stop” when they’re already inclined to obey. But real mastery happens when they don’t want to comply—when they’d rather come in, avoid water, or ignore the whistle. Can you apply direct pressure and get the right response under those conditions? That’s the litmus test for whether your basics are solid.
Personal Experience: Lessons from Workshops
Over the years, I’ve seen it all. At workshops, I’ll ask handlers to force their dog on “back” or enforce a sit whistle. About a third of the time, the dog’s response reveals a gap in preparation. It’s a humbling moment, but also a learning one.
If your dog isn’t prepared to handle direct pressure on these commands, they’ll struggle when the stakes are high. And here’s the kicker: whatever behavior your dog exhibits after pressure is what’s being reinforced. If they pop instead of going back, or start coming in after a correction, those actions will take root.
The Takeaway: Simplify Your Priorities
If you only take two things from your basics training, let it be these:
1. Force on Back: Your dog should respond reliably to pressure and understand that “back” means go—even when it’s the last thing they want to do.
2. Enforce the Sit Whistle: Your dog must stop immediately and consistently under all circumstances.
Mastering these two commands doesn’t just prepare your dog for advanced work—it sets the foundation for trust, communication, and success as a team.
As you reflect on your training, ask yourself: Are my basics truly solid? If there’s any doubt, now is the time to revisit and refine.
Pat Burns
P.S. Want to take your training to the next level? Join us in the Retriever Revolution Membership, where we break down concepts like these into actionable steps and provide the support to build an unshakeable foundation. Let’s make this your best training season yet.
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