Whistle While You Work

Everyone who has read previous articles on my blog will know I'm an advocate of clicker training. As well as clicker training, I train my dogs to work to the whistle.

Each dog has it's own whistle and each whistle has a distinctive pitch.

So why do I use a whistle?

• A whistle has a constant pitch which equates to a consistent command request.
• A whistle carries further than a voice command.
• Dogs relate to whistles better than voice commands.
• Whistles are generally more discreet than bawling at the top of your voice.

What whistle commands do I use?

• Well I only need 2 commands for genera use but I sometimes train a 3rd command
• My 2 basic whistle commands are recall and stop.
• I train some gundogs to turn to the whistle. This is used when a spaniel is quartering.

What whistle sounds do I use?

• I use a long continuous blow to indicate a stop command.
• I use 5 short sharp peeps to indicate a come command.
• I use 2 peeps to indicate a turn command.

How do I train a dog to come to the whistle?

This is really easy.

All I do is wait till the dog is coming towards me of it's own accord and issue the whistle command. I then treat the dog when he comes to me and immediately release him again. I cant emphasise enough that you must release the dog when your training any sort of recall. You don't want the dog to associate the recall command with him being tied up or constrained. This is no incentive for him to return to you.

After a few 5 or 10 minute sessions try issuing the recall whistle command while he's lightly distracted. If your foundation work has been successfull , he'll hear the whistle and start making his way towards you. At this point you want to get really animated and encourage him by stretching your arms wide apart to emphisise welcoming body language while you repeat the whistle command. When he reaches you reward him with tasty treats and kind words and immediately release him or engage him in play.

Keep the sessions short and try to attain a 100% record with him. Like everything in dog training, try and set the dog up for success not for failure. Don't whistle him while he's got his eye on another dog or being distracted with a toy or food. Be selective when you recall him. The more he succeeds,the more he'll enjoy working for you and the more confident he'll become.