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Posted by KDiamondDavis on February 19, 2003 at 15:06:59:
In Reply to: Do \ posted by carver on February 18, 2003 at 22:11:46:
:I am trying to learn how to train a year old lab that we adopted about a month ago. He is doing very well. I have a problem with him now and then wanting to run a bit further than I want him to run. This is particularly a problem in the early morning when our neighbors would probably rather I not issue a sharp command to recall him. I wonder if a dog whistle would do the job there? I have never seen a dog whistle, let alone used one but am under the impression that it is something the dog would hear but not our neighbors. Do they work?
:I have been advised to get a long lead and not let him run off the lead until he returns to me on comamd immediately 100% of the time. I will do that but I am still wondering whether a dog whistle would be worth trying?
:Thanks for your help.
:>>>>>>>>
Like a word or a signal, a whistle will only mean to the dog what you have consistently trained for it to mean. It could take the place of yelling out a command, and it could work in a situation where a dog is not looking at you and therefore would not see your signal. But all the whistle will be is a different "voice." It has no special power. Dogs only know the meaning of our commands--no matter what form those commands take--as that meaning we have carefully and consistently established the command to mean. I vote for continuing to use a long line until the dog stops thinking of ignoring your command. Before even trying the dog again off leash in the situation where it has ignored the command, I'd recommend keeping the line on for about six weeks. If you're not out there daily, it might need to be longer than six weeks. The idea is to change the habit, and establish a new habit that when you say "Come"--or signal, or whistle, or use a different word, anything you want to now be your command--that action is going to happen. Once that habit is re-established and the habit of blowing off a command is given a substantial period of time to fade away, you have a much better chance of a dog who reliably comes when called. I'd also advise carrying some highly desirable treats and having other surprise rewards, so that the dog learns it's always a terrific idea to come to you. And don't just call the dog when it's time to go, or every time you call will be associated with the end of fun time. Do some recalls when you are just going to reward the dog and release for more fun. Also, don't "show your cards."--Don't dangle the food out in the dog's sight as a bribe to come. Keep the food hidden until the dog has come all the way to you. Keep some mystery in your rewards. Also, if you always show food with the command, the dog won't think it's a command when there's no food! Bribes eventually fail, but rewards work.
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinarypartner.com