Whistle Training

[henryjack1dogs]

I want to start using a whistle for recall for my dog Max - 8 mths!  Never used one before!  Which whistle should I get?  Whats the best way to get started in using one!  Recall is pretty good with him but I would love to change it to a whistle it must be very off putting for everyone when I give a big shout when he's in the distance to come.  Which he does happily

[Nicola]

The Acme 210.5 is generally considered to be a good spaniel whistle but it doesn't really matter which one you use as long as you don't chop and change. There's a sticky thread at the top of this board called 'How To Teach A Reliable Recall' which should tell you what you need to know to go about it.

[Black Red + Yellow]

Yes we use this whistle.....can be useful if you've got an older dog too - this was the only thing our old Lab could hear in the end

[mooching]

I use the Clix one that is a clicker and a whistle combined.

Like this: http://www.seapets.co.uk/products/dog-supplies/dog-toys-and-treats/dog-training/dog-training-whistles/clix-whizz-click-clicker-and-whistle-combined.html?ref=googlebase

It means I only have to remember/carry one thing, not two, and it has a really good sharp sound as well. It's also bright red so easier to find in the house (and if it's dropped on the grass).

[Bluebell]

I use an Acme whistle. I start off by  blowing the whistle when I am preparing/giving dinner - each meal time . Then move onto blowing it when they are in a different room, and giving them dinner, and then when they are in the garden etc
Whistles are fab 

[vixen]

I followed Top Barks recall lessons and can vouch for their efficency. 
Today, my girls were in hot pursuit of squirrels    but a toot of my whistle bought them both running back instantly. 
My Acme is a 211.5 (cos that was the only one that came in purple, at the time    )

[Bluebell]

My Acme is a 211.5 (cos that was the only one that came in purple, at the time    )

That the one I have too 

[rubyduby]

I use the shepherds whistle that you place inside your mouth, that way you can change the tone(as in sheepdog training)

[Emma xx]

I have started to whistle train Alfie (10 months) and am using the acme 210.5 with a neckstrap from black gundog. I'm using Top Barks method so i cant actually tell if its working just yet as im calling him before blowing the whistle then giving him food, so that he is 'conditioned' to come back as soon as he hears the whistle and also learning not to ignore it. The thread is at the top of this board xxx

[vixen]

I got mine from here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/211-5-ACME-WHISTLE-LANYARD-211-1-2-GUN-DOG-TRAINING-/350397669098?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&hash=item5195541eea
They do different colours and 210.5 too.
They sell lots of other dog stuff as well. 

[Sheepscheeks]

I followed Top Barks recall lessons and can vouch for their efficency.  
Today, my girls were in hot pursuit of squirrels    but a toot of my whistle bought them both running back instantly.  
My Acme is a 211.5 (cos that was the only one that came in purple, at the time    )

I have the whistle recommended by Top Barks and have also been following his reliable recall thread. Still on the long line stage though  after a long time (couple of months). He is OK if he hasn't got a scent/seen something to chase/play with. He knows the whistle means come back and you will get a treat but he is by no means consistent. I still only blow it when he is on the way back to me already as if he isn't, he often just carries on sniffing or whatever so I have to reel him in in order to try and maintain the conditioning. I didn't start with the whistle until he was 9 months old (wish I had started on day 1!) and I think he will be on a long line forever! (BTW the only place I let him off lead entirely is I use my own whistle/call but not the dog whistle - feel mean having him on the long line all the while although he doesn't seem to mind).

Good luck to the OP. Would be interested to know how long it took others using TB's method to get off the long line?

[mooching]

I used Top Barks' method but skipped Step 5 and went straight for off-lead. The place we went was quite safe, and I was reasonably confident. I do hope it was ok to have done that! I guess I was just a bit impatient. 

[Top Barks]

one key to effective dog training is patience!!!!!!!
Just do not let the whistle fail!
If you can't stake your mortgage on your dog coming back in the early days then don't blow your whistle.
If you rush things you may get a response that is not sufficiently conditioned and breaks down when you most need it.

[Top Barks]

I followed Top Barks recall lessons and can vouch for their efficency.  
Today, my girls were in hot pursuit of squirrels    but a toot of my whistle bought them both running back instantly.  
My Acme is a 211.5 (cos that was the only one that came in purple, at the time    )

I have the whistle recommended by Top Barks and have also been following his reliable recall thread. Still on the long line stage though  after a long time (couple of months). He is OK if he hasn't got a scent/seen something to chase/play with. He knows the whistle means come back and you will get a treat but he is by no means consistent. I still only blow it when he is on the way back to me already as if he isn't, he often just carries on sniffing or whatever so I have to reel him in in order to try and maintain the conditioning. I didn't start with the whistle until he was 9 months old (wish I had started on day 1!) and I think he will be on a long line forever! (BTW the only place I let him off lead entirely is I use my own whistle/call but not the dog whistle - feel mean having him on the long line all the while although he doesn't seem to mind).

Good luck to the OP. Would be interested to know how long it took others using TB's method to get off the long line?

It took me 5 months with Alfie, but then I wanted to be sure as i was walking him around sheep at the time, I didn't fancy explaining to Penny B that the dog i'd just adopted via her had been shot for sheep worrying.
There is no set time, i could have done it earlier I'm sure, I guess I'm just cautious.
Caution paid off as he has the keenest recall of all my dogs.
I also think it depends on the relationship you have with the dog, I'm the second most valuable thing in his life and i'm usually holding the most important (his ball).
Do you guys ever just sit and feed and cuddle on walks? do you just sit and chill out together, i do lots of this alongside the training.

[Geordietyke]

I started Odie's whistle training as soon as I was able to have him out (around 14 weeks).  I followed TB's advice and Odie's recall was very good - up until the point he discovered his 'wilful' streak (around 6 months old) and he won't come back to me when another dog is off lead.  His recall is almost non existent now so I have to start all over again with him.  I too use the Acme 210.5 (bright orange so I don't lose it ).  Good luck!  Lesley