Morning everyone, Charlie is doing brilliantly with whistle at heel and the stop whistle. As we have had to work very hard on getting Charlie to "look at me" it has caused a minor issue with this. I am doing Exercise 1b of Pippa's article as we have taught him to sit when we stop moving. He is on lead on my left I take a few steps and p e e e p, he sits but then he wants to shift round to "look at me" :. I have been moving into position so that he is at heel as I don't want to be tugging him into position. He has stayed at heel a few times and got lots of praise and treats for this. Don't know if that is correct if not any suggestions? Thank you Helen xx
Re: Whistle at Heel?? Hi Helen, how would you describe your 'finished article' with regards to stop whistle? For me it is the dog hears the whistle and regardless of where it is or what it is doing it whips around, sits, and looks at me for the next command. So that's what I train for. I don't do strict obedience work where the dog has to be exactly in the right position by my knee etc.
Re: Whistle at Heel?? Hi Heidrun, my 'finished article' is to have Charlie doing exactly as you describe, ultimately to listen and react to the whistle no matter what. Bless Charlie he looks straight at me when I blow my whistle, so it's me at fault expecting too much. So no need to worry about positioning and obedience. Great one less thing to think about Thanks very much I appreciate it. Helen
Re: Whistle at Heel?? I'm the same, I'd rather he parked his bum and looked at me than stayed perfectly to heel. The only time I correct where he sits is when I want him facing out to mark a retrieve but as he gets more keen he's sorting himself out more anyway.
Re: Whistle at Heel?? Barbara, I feel I tend to over think things and then expect too much from Charlie. I am sure he will park his bum to heel when we come to marked retrieves Helen x
