Recall Whistle Training

Well Miggin is about 13 or 14 weeks old now, and he comes quite nicely when you whistle for him, BUT he does get that stand there and try to outstare you look sometimes, so I crouch down and get him to start coming towards me, then whistle and a huge fuss when he's got back to me, which he loves.

Tess the little Lab pup I'm helping to socialise, is a different kettle of fish altogether, she's very confident with dogs she knows around her, but very insecure at the same time, she's always licking at lips and fussing as much as possible, so any training I do with her I do separately and just try and keep it really, really calm. If I get a couple of really nice recalls on the whistle that's great, and then I just sit and stroke down her back, nice calm long strokes and a good lass is all she needs.

I don't get chance to take any of my dogs out on shoots, my OH is the one that does that, I only got out a couple of times last year to even spectate! But I'd rather have a busy business than plenty of spare time on my hands wondering what to do, chuckle!!!

Did you get your GWP from GWPC Rescue?

I got Lotts before I knew about the breed rescue. I have phoned Ian Roberts on a few occasions though when I have seen a GWP on a rescue forum. I was at the GWP meet the breed in June and Ian grabbed me and showed me one of the dogs I had phoned him about that was there with his new owner.

There was a solid liver bitch called Eva that I desparatly wanted.

Eva certainly was a cracker, just like my own but a little hairier!

Eva had the look of the devil in her eye. Just like my Lottie. She was even called what I would have called her.