Another Retriever training question

I'm training my retriever pup, and have a question for anyone out there familiar with training. Once I throw the dummy, I'm supposed to hold my dog in position until I give the command for him to retrieve (as in when actually hunting), correct? What is commonly used as the command? Is there a whistle command? Also; what are some of the common whistle commands that are used? Thanks for the help. If only I could find a retriever trainer in Tampa.

There is no 'standard' command. Some people use whistles, spoken commands, grunts or even hand signals. Whatever you choose, STICK WITH IT!! Do not change the signal because this can confuse the dog.

If you ever plan to hunt the dog I would suggest that you use the dogs name to send it. As long as Sparky is not called 'NO' Use the same energetic tone etc. Keep your volume down and your actions minimal. i.e. Momentum will be implied by your tone if you are consistent. You can use little volume for close retrieves and louder 'sends' for longer retrieves. Common whistle commands depend on the handler. One long burst is usually SIT Several short trills are usually COME If you want your dog operating in the SONIC realm make up your commands and keep them clear. You can train your dog to go right, left, back or whatever dependant on your consistency. Good Luck

Just don't make the mistake I made one time. I was training a lab and wanted a 'fetch' command that couldn't be confused with other hunters' commands. I chose 'go'. Dumb. My dog couldn't tell go from no. I had a lot of backtracking to do with that one.

<snip>

: > : Just don't make the mistake I made one time. I was training a lab and : wanted a 'fetch' command that couldn't be confused with other hunters' : commands. I chose 'go'. Dumb. My dog couldn't tell go from no. I had a : lot of backtracking to do with that one.

I had the opposite happen to me. Spike, my GSP, knew the meaning of NO, so the first time I yelled WHOA at him, he stopped on a dime. Make each command a distinctly different sound.

samg

1) teach basic obediance (sit, stay, heel, here) before doing serious retrieve training.

2) yes, the dog should be steady (not leave) until you release him to make the retrieve(s)

3) Most people use the dog's name as the signal to 'go'. This is generally good unless it rhymes with somethign else. For example, I would not use 'Moe' to release the dog since it's too close to 'NO'. Of course, I wouldn't name a dog 'Moe' for that very reason....

4) I only use 3 whistle commands: a) a long, hard blast which means 'sit, looking at me' b) 4-5 short, very fast, twilling, whistles which mean 'here' c) 2 short, medium toots which mean 'Hunt' (used only when I am quartering a field).

I trained my lab to release on GO. This was the same release command that a friend used. When he would say GO both dogs would release.

I switched mine to Vamos which is Spanish for let's go. Whatever you use make sure it is unique, so someone else you may hunt with doesn't have the same release command for their dog.

<<stuff snipped>>

I don't think I could name a dog 'Moe' for any reason, in fact I don't think I could even name a cat 'Moe'; just something about that name. <grin>

Alex

* Spinner of the WWWeb Page at: * http://www.well.com/user/amv/amv.htm

I've been using the word 'hunt' for the past few weeks and he pretty much has it down. Is it to late to change? (He's only 4 mos). One question, though, If I use his name when I'm out hunting and I want to send him off to retrieve a duck, won't that confuse him then if we are at the house and I call his name to get him to come?

: If I use his name when I'm out hunting and I want to send him off to retrieve : a duck, won't that confuse him then if we are at the house and I call his name : to get him to come?

If he's only 4 months old, you should be able to change a command with no real problem. Start using both commands. If he knows what hunt means, and you want to use xxx, then use both commands, i.e. hunt, xxx, gradually using hunt less, and xxx more.

I have three GSPs, so most of my commands consist of two words, first the dogs name, then the command. That way they know which one I'm talking to, plus it's an attention getter. i.e. Spike, NO!. So Spike knows I'm talking to HIM, and he's now listening when I say NO!. You could make the release command something like SPIKE, OK. Then if you have two dogs, only Spike knows he can go.

Of course, this works better with MY dog, as his name is Spike.

samg