[Nanci]

OK . . so recall for Sami has always been a challenge, and VERY selective on his part!! Sooo he has never been on an off lead walk! I took the plunge and on several other owners advise ordered the ACME 210.5. I received it last week and have tried it several times in the back yard with a reward for comming with the whistle. He has been BRILLIANT with it!!! Sooo I took them both to a play park yesterday and found a large fenced ballfield. You cannot believe how nervous I was, but I let them both off leash!! They ran around for a few minutes, then I noticed at the far end of the field the gate was opened a bit, so I waited to see if they went near it . . . and they did . . so I bit my lip and waited til they were close and gave a peep on the whistle . . they both stopped in their tracks and RAN back to me!!! OMG!!! I was so very pleased. We did it about 4-5 times and it worked every time!!
Of cource . . there were no distractions, like other dogs or squirrels etc, but I was very pleased with the trial run!! Am I doing anything wrong? Seems great so far . . . do I keep rewarding them . . or do I discontinue it and just praise?

 

[mairi1]

GOOD JOB

Well done for taking the plunge... And what great results!!!

I'm sure they loved you for it too...

I'd carry on doing what you're doing... Its obviously working.

Recall is so important it deserves plenty of treats ....I think anyway

xxx

 

[dmgalley]

good job Nanci. i am getting one.

 

[Von]

The trainer we go to told us to use the whistle when we feed the dogs, give the blast that you use for recall as you put the food down for them. You can use the whistle when you give them a favourite toy and play with them too. The idea is so that the whistle has a very strong association with enjoyable things, particularly food, and the dogs develop an automatic response to come to you. So far it has worked very well with Meadow and Jenna.

 

[Jedicrazy]

Sounds good Nanci, well done for being brave to go off lead. I'm sure you'll enjoy the walks much better now.

Every Poo owner should have a whistle. Best thing I've trained so far and highly recommend.

 

[Nanci]

Great idea Von . . . they both LOVE feeding time!! I will try that.
Donna . . I bet Jake will love it . . he tooo cute to be disobedient!!
Mairi . . you know I'm silly crazy about my poos!! Scared me to death . . but a little more confident now . . up for round 2 tomorrow.
Clare . . wish I had done it a long time ago . . poor poos were like daffy ducks running about off lead . . kept looking back to see where I was!

 

[dmgalley]

Ok I just ordered mine but I won't have it until Monday. For a while Jake had pretty good recall but lately he is slipping. I had him over the park for a run when he noticed an opening in the gate. He looked at the opening and looked at me. I said COME. He said NO I don't think i will and he bolted out through the opening. He did a few laps around someone yard with me yelling Come...Come.... and then he came back.
We can't have that kind of thing going on.

 

[Marzi]

Yay Nanci - way to go! I can just see Sami and Carley enjoying having some off lead fun. Now you just have to crack Sami's car sickness and you'll be able to get out and enjoy all sorts of lovely walks!

 

[colpa110]

My trainer said the same as Von's....which is what I did. The results were amazing!! We waste loads of breath and energy calling them to no avail when we can just blow on a whistle

 

[DB1]

I find mine works well for a while then I have to use it just at home again for a while, those of you that have been using them for a while - do you still use it at home or just when out? Dudley just realises after a while that he can (and does) ignore it!
Well done Nanci, I don't think there is anything nicer than seeing your dog have a mad off lead run.

 

[Jedicrazy]

I think the key to success with the whistle is not to over use it. I very rarely use it at home, can't remember the last time I did...

When out walking I tend to only use it when they are a long way off or out of sight (in hedgerow etc.) or for urgent recalls when I want them back very quickly or they are doing something naughty .

 

[DB1]

I think the key to success with the whistle is not to over use it. I very rarely use it at home, can't remember the last time I did...

When out walking I tend to only use it when they are a long way off or out of sight (in hedgerow etc.) or for urgent recalls when I want them back very quickly or they are doing something naughty .

Thanks - but the doing something naughty time is when Dudley ignores it!!! I do keep it with me though as I think it will help him find me if he goes too far.

 

[Jedicrazy]

Thanks - but the doing something naughty time is when Dudley ignores it!!! I do keep it with me though as I think it will help him find me if he goes too far.

Are you giving a high enough value treat? Or what about play? Does he like a game of tug or rag with a toy. Perhaps use that as the reward instead of food? It does mean taking the toy out with you.

 

[Sue T]

We use an Acme 210.5 whistle after being recommended on our puppy training, and our dog comes back straight away. We have only let her off lead probably half a dozen times. I do worry that she won't come back to me as I am not "Pack Leader", but I did let her off on my own a week or so back and she did come back to me. We use a high value treat (gravy bone) when we whistle. I think it is a confident issue for owners.

 

[dmgalley]

My whistle came in yesterday. It is working brilliantly!! I am working with it in the house and then this morning I took him over to the park. He came straight away every time!! Jake has his first puppy/teen class tomorrow night. Things are looking up

 

[DB1]

Are you giving a high enough value treat? Or what about play? Does he like a game of tug or rag with a toy. Perhaps use that as the reward instead of food? It does mean taking the toy out with you.

Yes I think it may be worth trying that, although I don't think anything would stop him from charging over to say hello when he spots another dog - now if I could just carry another dog around in my pocket and reward him for coming back with a quick play with it I think I could crack it!!