Hi all
Im thinking of training my 8mth shep with a whistle for things such as recall and downs and was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to go about this? Ive never used the whistle for training so I am a complete novice when it comes to this.Anyone got any advice on how they would train or if indeed anyone here uses the whistle?

Hi MacyMay

When starting whistle training you must first decide what type of whistle you need. Do not select a 'silent' whistle as you will not be able to hear how hard you are blowing or if ~Shep can actually hear it, eg. when using it in strong wind, or even if it is blocked and therefore making no sound at all.
I prefer to use an Acme plastic whistle, 211 1/2 pitch  ( the lower the number on the whistle the higher the pitch, eg. 210 1/2 will be higher ) as it is loud, of an average pitch, won't rust and is cheap to buy, usually around £3-£4, and so it doesn't matter if it gets lost. Oh yes, buy 2 or 3 at a time, because they do get lost, often :D

Whistle Recall
1. At every meal, as you put his food down, give multiple pips on the whistle. (Always use the same number of pips). This is the only time to use the whistle for the next couple of weeks. Shep is learning to associate the sound of the whistle with food.

2. After a couple of weeks, still using the whistle as in step 1, try blowing it when he is mooching around the house. So, give your pips and when he comes to you immediately reward him with a really tasty titbit.

3. After a few days , when you are confident that he will always come to you around the house, try whistling him in the garden, always remembering to reward him with a tasty treat.

4. When he is recalling well in the garden go to the park, when it is quiet with few distractions. If you are unsure of his reaction you can put him on a long line.

5. Gradually increase the distractions and distance as his reliability improves.

REMEMBER to continue using the whistle at mealtimes during every step to continue reinforcing his behaviour. Only stop when he is really reliable.

Whistle Stop
Shep should already know the command for sit.  (Me making assumptions again) :) You can now introduce one long pip on the whistle followed by his usual sit command. As a general rule, when adding a new command always try to place it before a command / cue that Shep already knows.
For example:
new cue     +        old cue   =    desired response
(whistle)   (voice & hand signal)       (sit) 

To sit shep must stop, so essentially a 'whistle stop' is a 'whistle sit'.

NB  You can teach Shep to lie down at the sound of the whistle in exactly the same way as the whistle sit/stop. You can of course do this instead of a whistle sit/stop or in addition to a whistle sit/stop by using a different whistle command.

In general, one long blast is usually best for an emergency command as it combines urgency with a direct command.

Top Training Tips

1. Plan ahead - what exactly do you want Shep to learn?
2. Write down your training plan.
3. Always reward Shep for doing the right thing, or trying to do the right thing.
4. Break the exercise down into small sections, rather than trying to teach the exercise as a whole
5. Make each step clear for him. Set him up for success. If he finds it too difficult he will become too stressed, if he becomes too stressed he cannot learn.
6. When training only move forward a step once shep has understood the current step. If training separate steps simultaneously, do not link them until he understands them all.
7. You can always go back a step if he seems confused.

Thanks for that info Kayc,I have copied and saved it.Now the question is where can I buy the whistle? *l* Bit of a silly question really but to be honest I cant actually recall seeing any whistles in the shops apart from the odd silent one and that obviously will be of no use to me at the mo.

I get mine from a good fishing tackle shop quite locally, which also carries FT and gundog training aids, clothing etc.
But the following link should give you an idea of what you are looking for,

http://www.safe-servers.co.uk/~dogstuff/acatalog/Whistle.html

http://www.turnerrichards.co.uk/pages/products/whistles.html

I've been wanting to have a go at whistle training, mainly just for a good recall.

Both my Labs will recall on a voice command (usually!!).   So to start whistle training would I still call them and whistle as well? or should I leave whistleing until they're coming promptly for food and tidbits and then start to use the whistle on walks....

Do you think it's okay to train both together,  they normally both come when either one is shouted for.

Thanks, 

You can start conditioning the dogs to the whistle at meal times so that the dog is classically conditioned to associate the whistle with food.

Then once this is reliable whilst out histle first, then call, soon the dog will be conditioned to know that the whistle always precedes the recall voice command and you can fade the voice (where required).

It matters not if they come together or individually.

A whistle is handy if you have lost your voice, it carries further and it is always consistent, whatever your mood or whoever takes them out! :D

Thank you Tohme,

Does it matter that they are only fed twice a day (3 times for pup).  Should I start giving them a whistle and a biscuit  several time a day or just at set meal times.

You can divide the meals up into smaller portions or reduce the meal size and give the rest in treats, whatever works for your particular circumstances.

You know how to whistle don't you, just put your lips together and blow .....  :D

Sorry, couldn't resist - in a silly mood :rolleyes:  Will be gone soon when 24 comes on lol.

Teri ;)

Teri I am shocked at you :P  Just how much Ribena have you had  :D :D :D

I use a whistle, a shepherd's whistle for fast recall, slow recall, stop, go right, go left etc.

Much cooler than shouting ;) and the beauty of a whistle is a) that it is always consistent and b) no one can tell if your dog is disobeying you! :D 

It also travels much further than the voice.

How would you train to the whistle if the dog isn't food orientated ? My friend has a terrier like this .

Presumably it has to eat to live?

therefore I would only feed it when it came to a whistle.

Divide the day's ration up into say 20 parts, each time it ignored the whistle, just bin or put aside that portion, only feed when it comes.

I think you will find that the dog will become extremely food orientated and whistle conditioned...................... after a few days.