Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:17 pm Post subject: I've got a whistle, but don't know how to use it...
After having a go at the Pick-up and the Scurry on Sunday at the Paws in the Park show. I saw exactly how much Mojo enjoyed the challenge of finding hidden dummies (she'd never even seen a proper dummy before either ).
Now I know I have little or no chance of ever working her properly, but I would love to be able to teach her whistle commands (left, right , stop, etc) and Mojo being Mojo would just love to learn too .
I took two toys out with me today and while she waited at my feet, I threw them in different directions, then sent her off to get one at a time.
I know she was using her nose and brains (probably far more than I was), but I would love to be able to tell her which way to go and which one to pick up first.
She runs out and looks back at me expecting some sort of guidance and at the moment all I can do is wave my arms about and point, to which she more or less gets the jist of it and goes off to collect the toy I've asked for (well 90% of the time ) .
The thing is I have a whistle (a 211.5) but I haven't a clue how to put the whistle and the command together.
Are there any books out there that can give me some idea of what to do, as Mojo thoroughly enjoyed this mornings game, but she would like her Mum to look a bit less like a frantic idiot ???
Aww Thanks Di.......Oyster reminds me of Bambi at the moment..... long legs that go in all directions .
They all look so composed there don't they....but within seconds of me taking that picture. Oyster launched an attack on Mojo's head and Tara walked off in a huff .
I think first you have to prime the whistle. Starting with a sit tell Mojo to sit and as she does one toot and treat. Keep doing this till you can get her to sit with just the toot, then I think you start to do it from a distance.
I've not been able to get this far yet as Fudge doesn't like the whistle and I need to get a friend to blow it from a distance while I treat etc but as I'm on my own most of the time this is proving a little difficult.
To get her to come is similar really its shout her to come and as she is bounding towards you 5 short toots and treat. Building this up.
Sorry can't help with left and right but would presume it's similar, using a different sequence of toots, maybe 2 for left 3 for right. hth
Oooh yes - whistle is great! Have you got JohnW's book Jules? Its a really good little book and would give you lots of help.
Basically: 3 pips on the whistle = come; 1 pip is the 'stop'/sit whistle. If your dog is going away from you or coming towards you or going in the wrong direction and you want to 'stop' it - one pip. Technically the dog should stop and look to you for the next command ( yeah right!) - actually, I have to say that my Dan is actually quite good at the stop command. I also use it on walks - if we are approaching a car park or the road, and he is ahead I will blow the whistle once, he should stop (should!!) and I then raise my hand when he's watching me and do another pip and he sits and I tell him to wait.
We have done a bit of direction control at training but I'm no expert! Basically we are taught that if the dog is hunting in the wrong place and you know where it should be looking, give a pip on the whistle so the dog stops and looks at you (perfect world again!) and then do an extravagant movement with your body in the correct direction - so like if its to the right of the dog, take a step out to the right as you put your arm out. Just like if the dog is not going far enough out and needs to go further down the field or wherever, you almost have to take a step forward and throw your arm forwards over your head and say 'Back' so the dog goes further back. And then when the dog is very close to its dummy or whatever you can say "high lost" and repeat this which means to the dog that there is definitely something there to find.
Oh gosh - I'm sure all those experienced working people will tear this apart, but this is what we do - in our very small way. Although I do have to say I have learnt so much from my group and Dan has really come on and works like a proper dog now, so I'm not too embarrassed!
____________ Philippa and Dan
She could have wiped my feet first
I bought this book and the basic kit from the Gundog Club and have found it really helpful and incitive. It takes you through the basic stages of training yourself and your dog, ready to take the grade one test.
I'd forgotten that our own JohnW had written a book (head like a sieve these days ). I'll have a look on Amazon for a copy.
Ohhh I wish there was a club near me that does Gundog work...I shouldn't complain, I've got every other type of dog club local to me, but Mojo really seems keen to learn this . Her little face lit up this morning, as I was jumping up and down and waving my arms about . At least she goes in the direction I'm pointing so that's a start (although I'm probably starting from the wrong end of training and working backwards ).
Right I'll order Johns book and get whistling... .
Jules, you can order the book from the Furbabies shop on here.
Such a pity there isn't a gundog club near you for Mojo. Have you looked on the www.thegundogclub.co.uk website for anything in your area? I am so lucky having one so near me. I didn't realise it at the time. To me it is just the best thing watching them do it so instinctively. I'm sure you will pick up enough to give her some basic commands and she will enjoy it so much whatever you do! Hiding the dummy in bushes on walks that she hasn't seen you do and then sending her back so she has to hunt - her tail will practically fall off! Then finding a pond, throwing a dummy, and sending her in.....she might just enjoy that a little too
Wish I was nearer to you and we could do some chucking of dummies together
____________ Philippa and Dan
She could have wiped my feet first
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).
. At least she goes in the direction I'm pointing so that's a start (although I'm probably starting from the wrong end of training and working backwards 
