Right then I'll set to work on the sit command, Scarlet had progressed to obeying commands via hand signals so I could try the one toot accompanied by the hand signal for her but with Ava is the best method just motioning my hand over her head to make her "park her bum" 'cos I wont be able to say "sit" and toot my whistle at the same time, bet you think I'm really dim - you wouldn't be far wrong though! ;)

Don't be daft Mair, I admire you for wanting to learn :-)

It may seem hard now, but in a short space of time (and with practice) you will be able to blow your sit whistle, say "sit" (with the whistle still in your mouth) and give a hand signal all at the same time! Eventually you will be able to hold a full blown conversation with a whistle in your mouth too ....lol
And when you get really good, you will be able to do all that and be looking at what else is going on and not at your dog... lol

So you need to practice : whistle, say "sit" and do the hand signal all at once and don't forget if she doesn't sit instantly, push her butt down :-)

With Ava, start out with her at heel, give her the whistle and sit command and push her butt down. Worry about the hand signal later .

Leigh

Thanks for that Leigh, I'll set to work on it just as soon as I've sorted out my minor domestic crisis, - just fetched Ava in from the garden because she was chasing a frog around (she's quite partial to frog), but my son George in his wisdom has decided to bring the frog indoors and it's hopping around the kitchen!! - there is no way I'm touching that!!!:O

Hi Leigh,

Sorry to butt in - this is all quite new to me too. I've read a couple of books on gundog training, but never been shown how, so everything I try is based on my interpretation of what I've read. Therefore I could be doing everything wrong! :o Is it three short pips for recall and one long pip for stop whistle? Not that Monty listens!!

Thanks,
Monty's Mum

Yes that is what we use for training HPR's, although I have had a working spaniel recalled to me, whilst blowing a stop whistle at my dog ...lol

Ideally, you want 1 short pip for a stop/sit and 3 short pip's for a recall ... followed by another 3 pip's and then another 3, until you can get the bugga back ....lol

Leigh :-)

NB. This is only a guideline to what I use, it really does not matter how few or how many you use. The secret is in repetition. Choose your Number and stick to it ! There is no right or wrong way, but obviously if you are going to work the dog on game, the fewer the better applies.

If Monty can't see me and I recall him, he'll come galloping back to me, usually straight away. :) However, if he is within sight, that's a different matter, lol. :rolleyes:

MM

There are all sorts of variation on a theme with whistles. I use three pips for a recall but 3 short double pips for "Come back this way a little and hunt" Spaniels have turn whistle signals to learn as well.
The secret is to get the simple ones working first.

John :)

John, We also use a two pip as a turn/quartering command when we want the dog to turn into the wind and hunt on. I also use a half blown continuous whistle when I want the dog to stay in a set area and locate the game that has fallen.
So all in all they are taught five different whistle commands and several other voice only commands.
Not to mention one or two expletives ;-)
As you said, start out with the simple but vital ones first.

Leigh x

Leigh you had me laughing my backside off. Doing all that stuff with a whistle in your gob at the same time, I'd probably swallow the whistle which would definately produce a few choice words, oh and not forgetting a couple of handsignals :p Do ya reckon I would be allowed out :o

As for watching the dogs at the same, well the dogs would have a smashing time with me in charge and god help anyone if I had a weapon in me paw

Think I like watching the best :rolleyes:

Claire
It's amazing how quickly you forget you have the whistle in your mouth at all and walk along quite happily with it in there like a dummy!!! :D
You end up getting very strange looks sometimes from people especially when I'm out with Otto because he usually isn't in sight!!!!! ;)
Siobhan

Clair,

Methinks a good strong landyard attached to the whistle is best ;)
Saves getting all that fluff out of your pocket and into your mouth too!

Alan

Woody is right Claire, you would be amazed at how quickly it all becomes part of everyday life...lol... I am lost without my whistle ...lol

Alan is also right , a good lanyard is a very worthwhile investment.I bought a leather one a couple of years ago (cost me £10!) but it was worth every penny, because I can not feel that I have it on and it does not give me friction burns (I will leave you to puzzle over that one) ;-).

Alan, have you got last season's obligatory sticky, feather covered "toffee" in your pocket too .......LOL

Leigh x

Leigh,

I don't have toffees, they make too much mess of the hip flask ! ;)
I can never feel my fingers long enough to be able to open them either !!
I'm still finding goose feathers everywhere though!

Bearing in mind my 'extensive' :rolleyes: knowledge of training dogs,;) , I would plump for the stop command being more important.

Though I see this as a good subject for our lemonade session after the first shoot of the season!

I know just what you mean about 'feeling daft' , I came into work with whistle around my neck. Got some very funny looks!

Alan

John .. of the Recall and Stop commands, which do you consider to be the most vital or do you consider them to be of equal value ? I would be very interested to hear your views (or anyone elses come to that) :-)
This has been a long running 'debate' amongst my peers ...lol...especially in the pub after a hard days toil in the field ...lol

Leigh x

I think, particularly with people new to handling we use far too many whistle commands (talking retrievers that is) it interferes with the natural hunting of the dog. But personally I think the stop or more correctly the "Look at me" whistle is the most important in the field, If I can get that I can put her where I want her. (If “The Flower” doesn’t come back I’ll get one of the guns to shoot the b***er!!!) Turn commands in Spaniels are obviously important but as I don’t work spaniels and most people I know who do only use them as little more than glorified retrievers anyway, I’m not qualified to comment. I was proud of the fact that in the Game Conservancy test I never blew the whistle once. (Although I must admit I was tempted!!!) I know I am inclined to over handle but I am trying to put that right

John xx :)

I think that we are all guilty of over handling John. But isn't it a great feeling on the days when the both dog and handler are in tune and the whistle becomes redundant :-)

Leigh x

By the way, when you steward for me ....bring your ear plugs....lol ;-)

On holiday today, just been over to Windsor Great Park to do a little training. Been blowing the whistle like a steam train in a tunnel! As far as memory retrieves were concerned, she couldn't even remember where she left the car! Arr well, back to the drawing board!

LOL, You think you've got problems ! I set Bear up for a split retrieve this morning and he sat up on his back legs, pulled his substantial ears over his eye's with his paws, shook his head and said in his best Goofy voice......

"Gosh .... TWO dummies ??" :rolleyes:

Leigh x
You have to do the Goofy voice to get the true effect!

They do have a knack of bringing you down to earth with a bump, don't they!

John x

For the Guest and Mair, I havn't forgotten about you, I've not got anything much yet but I have my spys out sorting a club for you. Sorry it's taking a time but rest assured, I'll find one it there is one.

Regards, John

Thanks John, I'm still watching ;)

I telephoned Mr Boston (West mids Gundog club) and he was very helpful, he said I could take my dogs along for a one hour lesson in which we could explore what sort of thing I'd be looking to do with my dogs, he is based near to Cotteridge and works mainly labs and spaniels, I'll let you know how I get on;)

Sorry folks, I'm afraid I'm going to have to admit defeat! I've tried all of my contacts around here and have drawn a blank. My only suggestion is to try the Hon Secretary of the midlands area of the URC and have a chat to her, Miss S. C. Jaggard. (Phone 01604-740352) If their training ground is to far from you, (And she is well south of you) because the Field Trials and Working Test people travel quite a distance to compete She may well know of, or know someone who knows of a club in your area. Sorry but that’s the best I can do! Your both a little too far from us for the people around here to have competed in tests much in your area. Glad to see you've found somewhere Mair. Go and have fun!

Regards, John

Mair, Have you tried the GSP Club ? Their training classes are open to ALL HPR breeds.Not sure if there are any in your area but it has to be worth a try :-)

Contact:

Mrs.Arrowsmith at [email]gspcfts@fleetapple.plus.com[/email] or
Mrs.Allerton on 01132 829903.

Good Luck

Leigh

Thanks both ;)