Hmm. I'm running into a bit of a snag, just wondering if any of you have experienced this? I'm just at the early stages - recall in the same room (I know, dither, dither....) but here's the problem. The book states to wait until dog is ignoring you and then blow whistle. I'm getting a bit stuck at the "ignoring" part. Once I have the whistle around my neck and juicy chicken close to hand, there is no way that Simba is ignoring me. I'll sit at the table, reading a book, all the while with beady eyes on me. Finally he'll give up and walk away. Yay! I blow whistle....he comes. Good. Now you're supposed to do this 5 times in a row, or 5 times in one day? Well if I try this again, once again I have to wait quite a long time before pooch rambles off. And then I wonder if he's getting the idea that the "rambling off" is what I want him to do, because as soon as he does, I blow the whistle and he gets the treat. And if I decide to space this out, the minute I get it all out again, whistle, treats, etc...eagle eyes are on my again. And again I have to wait for some time before he gives up and loses interest. Now this is all well and good if I had unlimited time in which to do dog training. But I don't! Never mind the OTHER things I need to spend time training, as I know you all do too. And make time for walks. And all the other non-dog things which occupy my time (yes, I do have those too!! ) So...any tips on this? Am I doing something wrong? Second technical difficulty - I'm wondering about my whistle. The only one I could find to buy in the stores here was one of those thin long metal whistles. Not a proper dog whistle as illustrated in the book. The consistency of sound out of my whistle isn't great - it can be very breathy at times. So I'm wondering if I should just order a "proper" whistle off of Amazon? Any thoughts on one type of whistle vs. another? And if I get another one, should I just start at step one again (no big deal as I haven't gone too far in the program yet....dither, dither.... :)
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties Hmm...Charlie was tiny when I did this bit, and he bounced round rooms like a ping pong ball (actually, he still does) so it wasn't a problem. It sounds like you might need a helper to call him away from you? We do a lot of our recall work with two people and it is easier. Might not be quite by the book though. I would definitely get a proper whistle though. I got a plastic one, and i've lost several already, so glad i can order more identical ones. You could just carry on with a verbal command for now? I introduced the whistle later and now both verbal and whistle work. I am glad to have both, as otherwise it's a pain if you forget your whistle!
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties http://acmewhistles.co.uk/xcart/home.php?cat=3 hey lisa, we got one of those whistles for recall training. They aren't very expensive and as JulieT has already said it's a big plus that you can reorder an identical one if you loose your whistle(and trust me you will ;D ;D dropped one in kneedeep grass just next to my feet -> never seen it again ;D ;D)
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties Hi there, I think it is fine to be a little bit flexible. There is nothing magic about the number 5, rather it is meant to convey that 'once is not enough' if that makes sense? People often prefer to be given specific instructions, but ultimately you can only do what you can do given your own circumstances. And yes, you can get someone else involved in distracting the dog, as Julie has suggested, so that you can get in more practice. Just bear in mind that being called away from a person offering attention, is actually a much bigger leap, than being called out of a room where nothing special is going on. As long as you are aware of this, its fine.
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties It is difficult getting them to ignore you I'm having a similar problem. : I use a acme plastic whistle 211.5which is the number recommended for Labradors.not sure what the number is I'm guessing pitch.
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties [quote author=Jen link=topic=3283.msg35447#msg35447 date=1384438959] It is difficult getting them to ignore you I'm having a similar problem. : I use a acme plastic whistle 211.5which is the number recommended for Labradors.not sure what the number is I'm guessing pitch. [/quote] I use the acme 211.5 too, Jen it is the pitch .
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties Oh literally 5 minutes before seeing this post I just bought an acme dog whistle off of Amazon but I got a 210 one Will it still be ok to use for Murphy who is a lab?
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties [quote author=Fwhitt246 link=topic=3283.msg35452#msg35452 date=1384439535] Oh literally 5 minutes before seeing this post I just bought an acme dog whistle off of Amazon but I got a 210 one Will it still be ok to use for Murphy who is a lab? [/quote] I don't think it matters which pitch you get. I have a 210.5 as it's the same as my friends and we occasionally look after each others dogs.
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties I have a Lab and use a 210.5 I don't think it really matters what whistle you use as long as you always use the same number and the same whistle commands, though I reckon my dogs would work to any whistle! Do remember to buy a lanyard to put the whistle on as you will lose it all the time otherwise
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties I bought a multi pack - with lanyards - because I know how often I have to ask for help to find my car keys...
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties I have several too....I leave one in the car for when I forget to pick my usual whistle up on my way out
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties I have a lovely Purple leather lanyard - my favourite colour , lots of spare whistles too, just incase :
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties Hmm...thanks for this. I will definitely order a new whistle, and get several, for sure. I'm still stuck a bit with the "recall in a room"....and when I DO get the chance to blow the dang thing, it's not an auto magic rush to me. It's a, come half way (or not at all), then stand and wait until Treat Dispenser bends down and makes excited noises with treat in hand, and then come get nummy chicken. Perhaps I've been doing this in too much of fits and starts. Perhaps I should order whistles, than start T step one again, and commit to being more consistent?.
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties Perhaps Mummy should show doggie delicious treat and then say "oh bad luck, you didn't come fast enough, so it is going back in the pot", rather than luring him when he comes just half way and won't come further unless you make excited noises with treat in hand. Show him what he is missing unless he comes all the way pronto
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties That's a good point Stacia, Pippa suggests that in Total Recall Lisa just can't remember how far along in the exercises it is though - sorry : Maybe Simba doesn't like chicken he might be like Choc Charlie and like roast beef ;D You definitely have to be consistent too
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties Oh...well I haven't got to that part...so far the advice is to blow whistle, and if he doesn't respond right away or is hesitant, make yourself attractive to him, bend down and make kissy noises...etc...
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties [quote author=Lisa link=topic=3283.msg35519#msg35519 date I'm still stuck a bit with the "recall in a room"....and when I DO get the chance to blow the dang thing, it's not an auto magic rush to me. It's a, come half way (or not at all), then stand and wait until Treat Dispenser bends down and makes excited noises with treat in hand, and then come get nummy chicken [/quote] Lisa maybe he might like warm sausage or something else...might work to up his treats?My house is open plan downstairs ,I had to hide pots of treats around the area and wear my whistle all the time .dexter has always stood up and followed me from day 1 whenever I move,even more so when I started total recall and if he saw me pick the whistle up hedd just come running before I even had a chance to,whistle so I had to have it on me all the time ;D.....my lanyard is bright orange ;D ;D ;D so a bit of forward planning had to be factored in to get my practice opportunities in x
Re: Total Recall - technical difficulties Ya, I'm sure the warm sausage would work but I'll have the same problem....ie I go to the fridge, get chicken/sausage out....if Simba isn't in room with me already by this time he is : and for sure once I out something in the microwave (to warm up) he comes like a shot and then it's eagle eyes again..... :
