Hi, I have a 6 month old black lab boy that I am in the process of training. He was doing really well with his whistle recall, but unfortunately, due to mistakes on my part, he has twice now ignored his recall in favour of seeing other dogs. My plan is to go back to basics and re-train his recall using the total recall book. Having started reading the first few chapters, I have a question. The book advises that I will need to select a new recall signal if he has ignored the old one and been able to self reward. I really would prefer to continue using a whistle for my recall as it is what I have always used and what my older dog responds to. Is it possible to retrain using the same signal? Would changing the number of pips on the whistle or buying a whistle with a different pitch be enough of a change if not? I would really appreciate some feedback on this as I am not sure which way to go with this. Thanks
Hi @Nicola Porter before going down the route of introducing another cue, go back to long line. See if you can proof a recall when other dogs are present. Do it in small steps gradually reducing the distance between you and the other dogs. Experiment. You may not have to go back to square 1. Use high value treats.
Keep using the same whistle and the same number of pips but yes, you do need to get a long-line on your dog to prevent the dog from getting reinforced by reaching other dogs...
I've retrained my lab on 'ruined' recall very quickly (7 year old son got hold of whistle and blew it till no one cared anymore). With that said, a 6 month old lab is very unlikely to recall EVER when other dogs are present. Maybe its possible, doing a lot of work with a long line? But as you move through the teenage months, I would think it pretty hopeless. If my lab is within 20 meters of another dog, there's really little point in recall.
Then make the recall on line at 25 or 30 metres and reward. It will work. Keep your 'teenager' under threshold. It is a crucial part of proofing. And use the yummiest treat you can think of that is valued by your dog. My dogs will do anything for Greenies. Don't bribe with the treat Surprise your dog with a true jackpot. Patience and consistency and you will get a brilliant recall.
Gosh with expectations this low.... Of course it's perfectly possible to recall a 6 month lab away from other dogs. Before you can hope to train something, you at least need to believe it is possible, so I think a little attitude adjustment on your part might be necessary here.... Well, if you resign yourself to that, you will never achieve anything. I pity the other dog who may not want to meet your dog, and who you allow your dog to run over and greet....
