Building Steadiness in Young Gundogs

Steadiness is the difference between a stylish, reliable working dog—and one that breaks, chases, or gets disqualified. It’s the skill that underpins everything from safe retrieves to top marks at working tests and field trials.

But steadiness can’t be rushed. It starts in puppyhood, is built in layers, and is best developed before your dog learns to chase.

This article gives you a calm, consistent approach to laying the foundation of steadiness in your young gundog.

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🧠 What is Steadiness?

In gundog terms, steadiness means staying in position until given a command, regardless of:

• Dummies or game falling
• Other dogs working
• Loud bangs, whistles, or movement

A steady dog waits calmly—ready, but controlled.

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🪑 Sit Means Stay — No Extra Commands

In gundog training, "sit" implies stay — full stop. You don’t need a separate “stay” command.

🧠 Most professional trainers agree: when you tell your dog to sit, it stays until told otherwise. That means you don’t say “sit… stay… stay…”—you just say “sit”.

This is a subtle but important difference from pet dog training, where “stay” is often layered on top.

Why this matters:

• 🧭 Less command noise = more clarity
• 🧠 Fewer cues for your dog to process
• 🔁 Easier reinforcement in real-world gundog scenarios

Once your dog understands that "sit" means remain there until released, everything from dummy throws to stop whistles becomes easier to teach.

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🐶 When to Start Steadiness Training

You can begin steadiness exercises as soon as your puppy understands basic sit—usually from 10–12 weeks old.

At this stage, it’s about teaching:

• Impulse control
• Focus on the handler
• That sitting still is always rewarded

Don’t worry about distractions or perfect posture early on—just build the habit of staying still until released.

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🧱 Phase 1: Foundation Exercises (Indoors or Garden)

1. Sit–Stay with Movement

Ask for a sit. Then:

• Take 1 step away, then return and reward
• Add claps, steps, or side-to-side movement
• Reward for not moving

🎯 Goal: Pup remains planted while you move

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2. Food Bowl Release

Hold pup’s food bowl.

• Ask for a sit
• Lower the bowl—if pup moves, reset
• Only release them once fully calm

🎯 Builds release cue understanding (“OK”, “Go on”)

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3. Toy Toss Without Release

While pup is sitting:

• Gently toss a toy or dummy 1–2 metres away
• Reward if they stay put
• Only release occasionally—not every time

🎯 Breaks the “something moves = I chase” link

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🧱 Phase 2: Add Controlled Distractions

Once sit–stay is solid, introduce:

1. Distraction Handler Throws

Have a second person toss a dummy past your pup while you:

• Hold the lead
• Reward staying still
• Use your stop whistle or sit cue if they wriggle

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2. Simulated Gunfire

Clap, bang wood blocks, or play audio (starter pistol later).

• Pair with thrown dummies
• Reward the non-reaction, not the retrieve

Don’t use real gunfire too early—noise can overwhelm young pups and cause noise sensitivity. Start soft and positive.

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🔁 Reinforce the Release Cue

Be crystal clear about when your dog is allowed to move.

Examples:

• “OK”
• “Go on”
• “Fetch”

Use the same release word every time. Don’t let your dog self-release—ever.

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⚠️ Common Steadiness Mistakes

Mistake	Solution
Releasing too often	Reward staying more than moving—use “walk out and pick”
Pup creeps forward before cue	Reset calmly. Don’t let them complete the retrieve
Too much excitement too early	Scale back to quiet, short drills
Mixing obedience with pressure	Keep early steadiness fun and low-pressure

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🧪 Mini Session Plan (5–10 Minutes)

1. Sit–stay with handler movement (indoors)
2. Food bowl release
3. Dummy toss without release
4. Dummy toss with release (1 of 4 repetitions)
5. Quiet praise or tug game to finish

Keep sessions upbeat, short, and successful.

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✅ Progress Markers

You're ready to level up when your pup can:

• Sit calmly while you toss or drop a dummy
• Stay still with noise distractions
• Wait for a clear release every time

Then you can move into outdoor field settings, group steadiness, and exposure to real game.

Continue with Advanced Steadiness Training for Gundogs