Well, I think it strengthens the recall, adding the visual cue. It depends on the dog, of course. Hattie sounds like a dog that is hugely responsive and attentive anyway. Charlie is a dog that is not (well, not without a huge amount of ongoing training involving expensive cuts of fresh fish anyway ). Plus, Charlie is a WHOLE lot weaker on verbal cues than visual cues, so the visual cue helps him - his whistle recall will time to time if he is very excited and a fair distance away just make him stop and look, when he sees the massively reinforced visual cue, he come tearing back. Edited: my Charlie! Not Helen's....
Willow especially responds with far more excitement when i throw my arms out to the side than if I use just the whistle or verbal recall. I pretty much only do the arms when I know they're already contemplating coming back to me, so that's probably why... it's never been contaminated in the slightest by me recalling them from something they wanted to get to. I think the reason I only do it at certain times is because I've conditioned myself to that - it was one of the first things I did during a puppy recall, and you only do that when they're coming back to you, so it kinda stuck that that's the only time I use it. Isn't it funny how someone else's post can open your eyes to something you do yourself?
I use my arms straight out as a signal for recall with Juno. Having forgotten my whistle on today's walk , I did several 'silent' recalls when Juno was at a distance but looking towards me. Whenever I want to recall I try to ensure that Juno doesn't see me reach for a treat (I usually have several ready in my hand) to try to ensure that she is reacting to the cue not a treat. She knows she'll bet treat anyway
Thought I would add, there is a failing with my hand signal to COME, the big swoop. It didn't happen with the three groups of snowmobilers we met today but if you have to contend with them, or dirt bikes or horseback riders, anybody you want to call your dog away from, it can be a problem that They think the signal means for Them to "c'mon." It has happened to me a few times, only a few.
It was just an example. The point I was making is if your dog is already looking at you, paying attention to you, the recall is hardly a challenging situation....if your dog has its head down the smelliest rabbit hole ever, it ain't going to see your silent recall....
Helen,you are so committed with your training,its always great to see progress x I was just reading through all your replies,Dexter is 3 and out of habit I still drop down on one knee and open my arms when I recall him....he probably thinks I'm so embarassing ...............I'd be a right spectacle at a gun-dog class......for MANY reasons!
If you agree with Turid Rugass regarding dogs sniffing, they're not going to hear your whistle or call either . I always give time for a good sniff before calling or whistling
It's perfectly possible to proof a recall against a dog sniffing. It's a bit of a faff, but simple. You start as they end the sniff and work backwards.
I shake my fists in the air and shout "Go Molly, Go" when she is en route to me on a recall. I transferred it from when she bought the ball back. I tap my upper chest with the flat of my hand as a recall, it gives sound an visuals. Only problem is if you have a cough or something caught in your throat and you tap your chest as many do, you find a dog at your feet looking expectant.
