Silver,

The whoa command is to make the dog stand still after the shot, not to get him to point. He should hold point naturally and through training realize he must wait for the gun to get the bird. Also, let off the sit and stay.

If I could give you two things to help you train him, the first is the video from Janet Nahorn "Silent Hunting". They have it on amazon.com. It won't get you a finished dog, but it will show you how to get your pup working birds and holding until you flush with no pressure.

The other is Delmar Smith's book Best Way to Train Your Gunndog.


Go slow, be gentle, get that pup out a bunch. Lay off the heel and sit commands for now. You want a dog that ranges and putting a ton of obedience is not going to help you develop an independent bird dog.