Gundog Training Forum

Yep

I have read in books to stop the dog on the stop whistle and give him a tug on the ear accompanied by the turn whistle

When he does it correctly, what reason or reward is there for him to repeat the behaviour?

He finds a tennis ball every other cast

I say aj-aj-aj (ah-ah-ah) and walk after, put leash on, put dog back to where i whistled the turn, sit dog down, walk back a bit and whistle turn. When the dog turns and run towards me i praise lots lots. What i am super extra careful with is to never let an ignored turn whistle slip. You may think my reprimant is weak and not really effective but it does work for me so i see no point in adding more growls, runnings and yellings. If i ever feel like taking a few quick steps i won't beat myself up cos of that but i honestly don't think it will make a difference to the dog. I have to add that my dogs try their best to follow what i want so when training turns or whatever it's not obedience training. I never use hunt training to get a more obedient dog.

Helene

Cocker spaniel boy wrote:He finds a tennis ball every other cast

... and is he ignoring the turn whistle on the casts where there is no tennis ball? I would in any case make that more random than alternating casts so he never knows when he will be successful.

Cathy

You have a number of ideas in your replys , my advice pick one you think suits the way YOU train and PM the poster for advice when needed , before you get confused Bri

When I asked for advice I think I asked the wrong question what I ment was how do u sharpen the response to the whistle so he does not hunt so wide

Cocker spaniel boy wrote:When I asked for advice I think I asked the wrong question what I ment was how do u sharpen the response to the whistle so he does not hunt so wide

No, that was exactly what i answered to, every time my dog goes out too far or ignore my whistle i do what i said i did. Or try to.

Helene

I say aj-aj-aj (ah-ah-ah) and walk after, put leash on, put dog back to where i whistled the turn, sit dog down, walk back a bit and whistle turn. When the dog turns and run towards me i praise lots lots. What i am super extra careful with is to never let an ignored turn whistle slip. You may think my reprimant is weak and not really effective but it does work for me so i see no point in adding more growls, runnings and yellings. If i ever feel like taking a few quick steps i won't beat myself up cos of that but i honestly don't think it will make a difference to the dog. I have to add that my dogs try their best to follow what i want so when training turns or whatever it's not obedience training. I never use hunt training to get a more obedient dog.

Helene

When I tried this he comes back stays there for about 2 sec while I fuss him then shoots of again hunting on the other side I don't think he is relly bothered about fuss he just wants to hunt on