Hi,
Just got a dog whistle but realise it will only work if I learn how to use it properly - no wisecracks about just put lips together and blow!!! Any clues?
Thanks in anticipation

As you have found out, a whistle to an untrained dog is just another noise! :d

I take is that you have the making of a trained dog from point of view of a recall so the thing now is to combine the whistle with the usual voice command. The usual way of whistling for a recall is a series of three pips on the whistle so it's, "Fido come" followed immediately by PIP,PIP,PIP on the whistle.

Don't try to train too much in one go, get one bit right first.

Later train you dog to sit on a voice command then add the "Stop" whistle command into that in the same way as with the recall. The usual stop whistle command it one single whistle, PIIIIP!

I would not train much more than that as whistle commands, anything else wanted can be done with a stop whistle command to get the dog’s attention then a hand signal for the desired action.

Best wishes with your training, John

Hi John,
I don't know if this is a good idea to recommend to a working gundog person, only having experience of companion dogs myself, but I taught the recall three 'pips' to my dogs by blowing that when I put down their food bowls. It will teach a fast recall, but maybe not in the way a working gundog needs?

Whatever gets it done Jean. I use feeding time for so much when training! Sits, Stays, Recall. It's the reward for doing the business! :)

Best wishes, John