CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Behaviour & Training => Topic started by: henryjack1dogs on October 05, 2010, 09:42:13 AM
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I want to start using a whistle for recall for my dog Max - 8 mths! Never used one before! Which whistle should I get? Whats the best way to get started in using one! Recall is pretty good with him but I would love to change it to a whistle it must be very off putting for everyone when I give a big shout when he's in the distance to come. Which he does happily :D
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The Acme 210.5 is generally considered to be a good spaniel whistle but it doesn't really matter which one you use as long as you don't chop and change. There's a sticky thread at the top of this board called 'How To Teach A Reliable Recall' which should tell you what you need to know to go about it.
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Yes we use this whistle.....can be useful if you've got an older dog too - this was the only thing our old Lab could hear in the end ;)
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I use the Clix one that is a clicker and a whistle combined.
Like this: http://www.seapets.co.uk/products/dog-supplies/dog-toys-and-treats/dog-training/dog-training-whistles/clix-whizz-click-clicker-and-whistle-combined.html?ref=googlebase (http://www.seapets.co.uk/products/dog-supplies/dog-toys-and-treats/dog-training/dog-training-whistles/clix-whizz-click-clicker-and-whistle-combined.html?ref=googlebase)
It means I only have to remember/carry one thing, not two, and it has a really good sharp sound as well. It's also bright red so easier to find in the house (and if it's dropped on the grass).
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I use an Acme whistle. I start off by blowing the whistle when I am preparing/giving dinner - each meal time . Then move onto blowing it when they are in a different room, and giving them dinner, and then when they are in the garden etc :D
Whistles are fab :005:
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I followed Top Barks recall lessons and can vouch for their efficency. :D
Today, my girls were in hot pursuit of squirrels >:( but a toot of my whistle bought them both running back instantly. :luv:
My Acme is a 211.5 (cos that was the only one that came in purple, at the time :005: :005:)
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My Acme is a 211.5 (cos that was the only one that came in purple, at the time :005: :005:)
That the one I have too :005:
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I use the shepherds whistle that you place inside your mouth, that way you can change the tone(as in sheepdog training)
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I have started to whistle train Alfie (10 months) and am using the acme 210.5 with a neckstrap from black gundog. I'm using Top Barks method so i cant actually tell if its working just yet as im calling him before blowing the whistle then giving him food, so that he is 'conditioned' to come back as soon as he hears the whistle and also learning not to ignore it. The thread is at the top of this board ;) :D xxx
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I got mine from here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/211-5-ACME-WHISTLE-LANYARD-211-1-2-GUN-DOG-TRAINING-/350397669098?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&hash=item5195541eea
They do different colours and 210.5 too.
They sell lots of other dog stuff as well. :D
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I followed Top Barks recall lessons and can vouch for their efficency. :D
Today, my girls were in hot pursuit of squirrels >:( but a toot of my whistle bought them both running back instantly. :luv:
My Acme is a 211.5 (cos that was the only one that came in purple, at the time :005: :005:)
I have the whistle recommended by Top Barks and have also been following his reliable recall thread. Still on the long line stage though after a long time (couple of months). He is OK if he hasn't got a scent/seen something to chase/play with. He knows the whistle means come back and you will get a treat but he is by no means consistent. I still only blow it when he is on the way back to me already as if he isn't, he often just carries on sniffing or whatever so I have to reel him in in order to try and maintain the conditioning. I didn't start with the whistle until he was 9 months old (wish I had started on day 1!) and I think he will be on a long line forever! (BTW the only place I let him off lead entirely is I use my own whistle/call but not the dog whistle - feel mean having him on the long line all the while although he doesn't seem to mind).
Good luck to the OP. Would be interested to know how long it took others using TB's method to get off the long line? ph34r
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I used Top Barks' method but skipped Step 5 and went straight for off-lead. The place we went was quite safe, and I was reasonably confident. I do hope it was ok to have done that! I guess I was just a bit impatient. ph34r
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one key to effective dog training is patience!!!!!!! :005:
Just do not let the whistle fail! ;)
If you can't stake your mortgage on your dog coming back in the early days then don't blow your whistle.
If you rush things you may get a response that is not sufficiently conditioned and breaks down when you most need it. ;)
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I followed Top Barks recall lessons and can vouch for their efficency. :D
Today, my girls were in hot pursuit of squirrels >:( but a toot of my whistle bought them both running back instantly. :luv:
My Acme is a 211.5 (cos that was the only one that came in purple, at the time :005: :005:)
I have the whistle recommended by Top Barks and have also been following his reliable recall thread. Still on the long line stage though after a long time (couple of months). He is OK if he hasn't got a scent/seen something to chase/play with. He knows the whistle means come back and you will get a treat but he is by no means consistent. I still only blow it when he is on the way back to me already as if he isn't, he often just carries on sniffing or whatever so I have to reel him in in order to try and maintain the conditioning. I didn't start with the whistle until he was 9 months old (wish I had started on day 1!) and I think he will be on a long line forever! (BTW the only place I let him off lead entirely is I use my own whistle/call but not the dog whistle - feel mean having him on the long line all the while although he doesn't seem to mind).
Good luck to the OP. Would be interested to know how long it took others using TB's method to get off the long line? ph34r
It took me 5 months with Alfie, but then I wanted to be sure as i was walking him around sheep at the time, I didn't fancy explaining to Penny B that the dog i'd just adopted via her had been shot for sheep worrying.
There is no set time, i could have done it earlier I'm sure, I guess I'm just cautious.
Caution paid off as he has the keenest recall of all my dogs.
I also think it depends on the relationship you have with the dog, I'm the second most valuable thing in his life and i'm usually holding the most important (his ball).
Do you guys ever just sit and feed and cuddle on walks? do you just sit and chill out together, i do lots of this alongside the training.
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I started Odie's whistle training as soon as I was able to have him out (around 14 weeks). I followed TB's advice and Odie's recall was very good - up until the point he discovered his 'wilful' streak (around 6 months old) and he won't come back to me when another dog is off lead. His recall is almost non existent now so I have to start all over again with him. I too use the Acme 210.5 (bright orange so I don't lose it :005:). Good luck! Lesley
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sounds like the flight instinct stage of puppyhood kicked in, during this time they do turn a deaf ear and conveniently forget lots of stuff you think they know >:D
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Whilst out on walks with my two, I call them randomly with the whistle and reward them. A whistle recall is the ONLY time they get pilchard cake. :005: :005:
I do call them to me by voice and they get a reward of either a lower value treat or a cuddle :luv: They are always watching me on their walks. :luv: (it's the only time I feel important :005:)
It is tempting to rush through the stages but I did want them 'conditioned'. I did follow the instructions to the letter but it did help that my girls come from a very biddable line. Having two also helped as they race each other back to get the pilchard cake first. :005:
I have to say a MASSIVE thank you to Mark (Top Barks) for putting his lessons on this site. I am VERY grateful. :D
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Thanks everyone for all the tips - will start on this pathway when the whistle arrives...p.s how do you make pilchard cake!
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[I also think it depends on the relationship you have with the dog, I'm the second most valuable thing in his life and i'm usually holding the most important (his ball).
Do you guys ever just sit and feed and cuddle on walks? do you just sit and chill out together, i do lots of this alongside the training.
I guess this is where I am not succeeding. Even though I am Freddie's favourite person and I do chat with him when out on walks, I haven't made a habit of doing a lot of cuddling or chilling out. I do give him a big fuss every walk and try and get him interested in his squeaky ball. I think if I had unlimited time with Freddie then I would have been more successful by now but I have a job 20 hours a week and two children. That's maybe just an excuse and maybe I am lacking motivation? I do more for Freddie than any other member of my family, though.
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Thanks everyone for all the tips - will start on this pathway when the whistle arrives...p.s how do you make pilchard cake!
Here is a link to a recipe:
http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=70340.msg1037084#msg1037084
;)
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Couple of questions- how do you actually know they are ready to have the whistle blown first, without them being already on their way back to you?
Also, I have been doing it where i sit Alfie in another room or in the garden, call his name and then blow the whistle (3 pips) when he's coming back, then praise and treat. Is this right? Should i have him in a stay, which means he is anticipating coming back, or should i only be calling him when he's being 'natural' (which is very hard when i have a pouch full of sausage and he knows what's coming ;))?
Im confused!! :005: xxx
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Couple of questions- how do you actually know they are ready to have the whistle blown first, without them being already on their way back to you?
Also, I have been doing it where i sit Alfie in another room or in the garden, call his name and then blow the whistle (3 pips) when he's coming back, then praise and treat. Is this right? Should i have him in a stay, which means he is anticipating coming back, or should i only be calling him when he's being 'natural' (which is very hard when i have a pouch full of sausage and he knows what's coming ;))?
Im confused!! :005: xxx
I agree it is quite hard to do the indoor/outdoor bit - this is what I did. I called Freddie regardless of what he was doing then when he started to come back to me I started pipping the whistle. Then I tried pipping the whistle without calling his name. He is excellent indoors and in the garden - knows he will get a really tasty treat so comes every time whatever he is doing. Outdoors is another matter, though... ph34r
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Sorry to hijack a thread but on a related note how much of a problem is it if someone else has the same whistle as you?
Ive always used verbal recall but now im increasing the distance on some of the training im doing a whistle seems like a good idea except loads of people use whistles round my way and everytime some gives their whistle a blast a number of other dogs obediently coming running.
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I was out with Alfie on some heathland last week; he ran quite a long way ahead towards some people so I pip-pip-pipped him to come back .................. and a lovely collie rushed up to me and sat at my feet as well, looking up at the whistle. The owner looked bewildered, lol (and didn't even seem to have a whistle with her!) :005:
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I suppose the way round it is to teach your dog that whoever blows the whistle they come running to you. That doesn't stop you attracting half the park when you blow but at least yours are under control irrespective of where the noise comes from
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My dog are very much of the mind set that if someone doesnt do something for them they certainally aint gonna listen to them so tend to completley ignore others commands :005:
i can only think of two occasions where they have listened to someone else and that was when mark gave Alfie a stop whistle, all mine stopped and they once came in to Nic recalling her dogs.
Genrally people can call/whistle them all they like and even call them by name but unless there the ones walking them they dont give a toss.
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Sorry to hijack a thread but on a related note how much of a problem is it if someone else has the same whistle as you?
Ive always used verbal recall but now im increasing the distance on some of the training im doing a whistle seems like a good idea except loads of people use whistles round my way and everytime some gives their whistle a blast a number of other dogs obediently coming running.
My friend with her 3 border collies has the same pitch whistle as me and we have no problem. My friend blasts her whistle as loud as possible to get her dogs back (just don't stand next to her :005:) but I have two pips for come back (open arms and bending down to encourage if necessary), one pip to watch me (we may be changing direction on our walk) and one long toot to stop in their tracks and wait. I don't blast the whistle though, the theory being that they listen for the whistle all the time whilst we are out, they mooch and have fun but always expect to hear me telling them something. 99% of the time it works!!