Those stitches look sore, but it's amazing how quickly dogs heal, and they often don't notice the pain do they !!
Just reading about Coco's recall - I started training Lola to the whistle on the first day we got her - at her first meal, 7 weeks old. Started off by whistling twice myself, calling her name, and then giving her food. She quickly learned that 2 whistles meant a meal!! - and after a few days I started using a recall metal whistle - 2 gentle pips to start with, plus her name.
She now recognises the whistle from a distance, when she can't hear me call her name. Mind you, if there are birds to chase, or deer scents to follow, I need to be one step ahead of her and call her back sooner. This doesn't always work though !! Coco is Lola's sister, and just as wilful I would imagine - .
I suggest you get hold of a recall whistle ( available on line under "dog whistles " - we bought the same on as we use for Minden, Lola's Aunt - it's called ACME - pitch 11.5 ) An ordinary whistle doesn't work as the sound doesn't carry.
Pip the whistle ONLY when you're feeding her for the first few days - then practise in a safe field, and reward her ONLY if she returns. If she doesn't come back, don't keep blowing the whistle - she obviously hasn't worked out the connection between whistle and food yet, and she'll learn to ignore you. If that happens - go back to whistling when you feed her - and try whistling her back from the garden, or hide upstairs in the loo, with a biscuit or two, and she's downstairs, - whistle her - two short peeps, and watch her try and find you !!
She's a wilful, strong minded and very intelligent dog, - you need to establish who is the boss !!
Have fun, Good Luck, you'll get there !!
