he's such a little tyke! but a gorgeous one....
you will get through this mich, and bailey will be fine - he's a bleedin' bird dog unfortunately
failing the frisbee, do you have a chuckit??? makes tennis balls very appealing! (another air concept!)
the whistle is good, if you're anything like me when i call jarvis you can tell EVERY emotion going on - with a whistle he can't tell how i'm feeling!
this is how we were whistle taught (sorry if you've got all the info anyway...)
prior to feeding, blow a whistle, get the dogs food ready and feed. prior to going for a walk, blow the whistle and then get the dogs lead. prior to playing a game, or anything that the dog looks forward to, blow the whistle - the dog will soon learn that the whistle means reward. now whistle your dog in the garden without distractions and only reward the good recalls - send him straight back with a 'go play' (or find the birdie in someone elses case!) to show you're still in control. once he's mastered that, back to the park.
when i whistle jarv, i only try twice - if he doesn't come back on the second one (usually as his head is underground communicating with moles.....) i either walk towards him to get his attention and once we have eye contact i turn around (no word/whistle/call) and walk the other way - and he comes hurtling! (then he gets rewarded big time with his tennis ball being thrown or a treat)
xx h