I am thinking of trying a dog whistle when training my new dog. Has anyone tried using one? Has it been useful? I would appreciate any comments.

Hi
I started using one for my dobe about 6 weeks ago -mainly just for the recall and I have been pleased and wished I'd done it earlier to be honest ,because he can get so far away so quick my voice won't carry across the fields but two peeps seems to be working ( so far )
Liz

I have used whistles for years and they are very good especially when you get a cold and a bad throat. Wouldn't be without it.

I have to admit they are just as good at being deaf to the whistle as my voice when they want to be!!!

I use a gundog whistle with mine, and it's brilliant. The sound carries really well, even against the wind! I trained them to it by blowing it to give them their dinner - when we're out, they know the sound of it means a really tasty treat, frankfurter or something, so they come full gallop!

Gundog whistles are good. They carry a long distance but they do not train your dog! It is just a noise just like any other and it is only by training that the noise begins to become a command

Regards, John

Link to thread on Whistle Training

Hope that helps! Monty's Mum :)

Hee Hee
yes that was me
and as I said it has been working -just the recall for now and I'm ( or we :rolleyes:) are working on a distant sit ( bit harder )

I'm glad you're having success! :) I'm sure you are doing this already, but with the sit, starting close and gradually building up the distance is the best way to go. Have fun!

Monty's Mum :)

Hi Montys Mum
That is exactly what I am doing :)
But we are having sucess -he chased a rabbit -I peeped ,he looked ,rabbit got away and he came back :D
Sucess in my book
thanks for the advice you gave :)
liz

That is excellent, Liz! Do you want to come and train my dog????? :D :D :D

We have started using a whistle for recall with the girls and have seen a really good improvement with Moose and Min. MB is still tottering along with us and doesn't run off too far ! ( Her tubby belly and short legs restrict the speed !!) :D

Moose seems to be more focused when the whistle goes as before she seemed to be more focused on seeing what was around her than to come back ! It even works now when she is on the run to go and meet one of her doggie friends which we often meet on the walks! It isn't nice for the owners to be greeted with a lump of muddy wet Labrador at full pelt ! Min is going slightly deaf and so this has also helped with her recall as she seems to be able to pick up the high pitched tone !

I would recommend one but as John said they are an aid for recall at distances rather than they train them to come back !

Lucy

:D No chance -I'm just about ready for my breakdown with this one thanks ;)

:D Oh well, it was worth a try!! :)