Hello all, This is something that I've been wondering, as I'll be getting pup number two in a few days. They're both trained to the whistle for recall. When we're out on walks with the two of them, this will obviously bring them both for treats (until they're teenagers, when it will make them both ignore me). Would you start training two different recall signals for the individual dogs? I'm thinking, if we're out and one is running towards something unpleasant, but the other is fine, I wouldn't necessarily need to recall both. They're only ever going to be pets, since there's no opportunity for hunting or trials around here, so I don't need to "control" them individually. I can't think of any situation off the top of my head where it would be a problem with them both coming running, but any experience or advice would be welcomed!
Re: Recall with two dogs I use the same whistle or command for my two, if one is close to me, it doesn't matter , they just come closer . I guess, as you say, if they were going to be worked it would be different, but the same recall works for me , best not to complicate things x
Re: Recall with two dogs I do think I might end up using the wrong signal for the dog I'm trying to recall. I'm a bear of little brain!
Re: Recall with two dogs Don't try and have two different whistle signals as you will get in a dreadful muddle eventually ;D If I use the whistle recall I expect them both to come; but by voice I use the dog's name I want, so 'Drift come'. However, at one gundog class I went to, we were told only to use the dog's name, so if I said 'Drift' that was the recall!
Re: Recall with two dogs That's interesting, Stacia. Willow's default behaviour when I say her name at home is to look at me, but on a walk (so far) she will come if I call her name. I suppose some of it is in the inflection. At home, it tends to be spoken, whereas if she's a little way away on a walk, it tends to be a bit higher pitched and sing-song.
Re: Recall with two dogs I'm going to train my spaniel to retrieve on his name so if by some miracle I ever succeed in training two gundogs (training one would be nice tbh) I can send them both for retrieves independently. Their recalls are different whistles as the recall I chose for Riley is too similar to hunting commands for Obi. I'm about to get in an awful muddle ;D ;D ;D
Re: Recall with two dogs [quote author=bbrown link=topic=8728.msg123598#msg123598 date=1415873157] I'm going to train my spaniel to retrieve on his name so if by some miracle I ever succeed in training two gundogs (training one would be nice tbh) I can send them both for retrieves independently. Their recalls are different whistles as the recall I chose for Riley is too similar to hunting commands for Obi. I'm about to get in an awful muddle ;D ;D ;D [/quote] Willow's parents do this. It's very impressive. Place the dummies, then send them away by name. I was amazed the first time I saw it, especially since you can see how excited they are!
Re: Recall with two dogs I usually get both dogs running towards me on the recall whistle, which I don't mind as they both need a lot of recall work right now. With Benson I may use the "stop" whistle, followed by his name, then the recall. This is because Casper is usually closer, and generally more attentive, with Benson I use stop to grab his attention. I use a lot of eye contact, verbal praise if one of them has completed a particularly good recall. Normally if I am recalling, it is because I need both dogs close, so I don't think in 90% of cases it really matters.
Re: Recall with two dogs I use the same whistle and command, but walk them separately as often as possible. I don't want one relying on the other for recall. Gypsy was playing with two red setter pups today and came away to the whistle - hurrah! I hope this continues teenager-hood is round the corner! Interestingly teaching her recall has been really easy - and she didn't get a free run outside at all 'till 19 weeks.
