Hi there.. quick question about clicker training recall. I've been consistently pipping my whistle x3 whenever Bob (15w) is running back towards me. At what point would I pip the whistle if he is looking the other direction or focussed on something else? I don't want to ruin the association of him running back when I'm pipping.. but equally I need to know at some point, whether it works! Thank a lot for your help! Lou x
Re: Clicker training recall Hi Louise, I am not the recall/clicker expert around here, but....... He is still little, I would only peep for a recall when you are pretty darn sure there aren't any distractions around and he is almost certain to come. Keep doing that just now. If I have ever had a "failed" whistle recall (*guffaws* quietly : ) I would rest the whistle recall for a couple of days then restart it in an easier place or with less distractions. I found it REALLY difficult to know the answer to this question, its trial and error. I never used the clicker with a whistle recall, and in fact haven't really got the clicker training up to speed, though have used it for some indoor shaping. I hope someone else can add to my scant advice who has gone through this. Jac
Re: Clicker training recall Are you using a clicker? With your whistle recall, shifting from creating an association to using it as a cue, you should first try it in the house in the lowest distraction situation possible - with you and the dog in the same room and with him just mooching or relaxed (not asleep) not chewing something or really busy with something. If you have Total Recall, this exercise is described at the beginning of Chapter 11 (and the end of Chapter ten gives you a check list for the things you should have tried before you try this).
Re: Clicker training recall I had great success with just starting with a verbal recall. Only once that was in really really good shape did I introduce the whistle as an secondary associated cue, so first calling "come!" then blowing the 3pips immediately after once she was was in flight. About 15 goes later the whistle started working alone. That way the whistle became instantly rock solid because it was only backing up a tested and proven response, and only ever used once the response was happening perfectly. I love having two cues to be honest, if one ever gets damaged we have the other to fall back on! And for the days I've rushed out and forgotten the whistle We did do a lot of clicker training but never used it for recall. Timing when to click seemed overly complicated and technical. I just never really saw it serving any purpose, as the praise, a toy or a handsome treat for returning was plenty of reinforcement in itself. As the dog is heading back a "yeesssss thats it! what a good boy/girl" is way better than a click in my mind. I do share some concern about going straight for the whistle, or just trying to capture any "random" running back as a recall. Like Julie says, think of it more as a cue than a captured association. As much as I value and admire and constantly recommend the Total Recall book, I feel it has a slightly false premise in assuming you have an existing sucky recall and need to start over. We didn't, but it did provide valuable idea's on proofing. At 15weeks old I'd have thought there was plenty of time to work on recall the simple old fashioned way - bending down, a big smile, welcoming body language and a cheery call. Show a toy or treat lure to begin with, fade the lure out but always reward, and go from there. I'd be wayyy too scared to go straight in with the whistle in case it became weakened or ignorable. Words and verbal cues can be replaced but getting the whistle right is a once in a lifetime thing in my book!
