Dog whistles

jeeve

jeeve

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We have two dogs a 18 mth old staffy and a cattle dog cross. The staffy knows some commands such as sit and stay, but is not too good on come, and this needs some work. The cattle dog x is a 3-4 month old pup. It basically comes when you call every time, even though not trained. (Just came to our home very recently).

As the 2 dogs get on well, (which means the staffy does not visit the neighbours as much as she used to if off the lead) I would like to reinforce the come to me with the cattle dog and train the staffy (she does usually come back when you bang on her dinner bowl).

I would also like some thing that is easy for all family members, my 77 year old mum, and the (teenage) kids.

Does any one use a dog whistle, if so, is it silent to human ear, or can you hear it. I am thinking initially lessons on a long lead, and then off lead, with food. Pleas help. If we could always be sure of both dogs returning when called they would get much more off lead play time.

I know I sound a bit clueless, but do theink this should be easy to resolve with a few pointers in right direction, many thanks in advance.
 
They are very high pitched, but not totally silent to the human ear (I know this as someone up the yard has one and blows it alot, not sure the dog knows what it means though)!

You need to train the dog to come to the whistle so I would start with 2x people and sausages. One holds dog one moves back 20ft or so, blows whistle, calls name and gives sausage (assuming dog has come). I would get the obedient one responding to the whistle, then try the pair together on the hope that staffy will take the other dogs lead.

N.B. If the dog does come there is no point blowing the whistle harder or longer or more often, the dog need more training.
 
I use a whistle all the time. Save shouting your head off also in the field they respond better.

I would as said use 2 people to start with. One person holding the dog , you move some distance away give 2 pips on the whistle (I use a 210 1/2 from a gun shop) bend down and with open arms encourage the dog to you. You can reward if you want. I prefer plenty of praise as I do not want my dogs to drop the bird/rabbit or dummy they are carrying just for a treat.

As well as the recall whistle I would try and teach a dog the stop one. This is a long single blast where the dog stops running and then waits for further commands. This one can be very useful in many situations.
 
All three of mine come to 3 pips on a 210.5


Started them by when it was dinner time I blew it and then fed them. And then random treats from other rooms in the house etc I blew it. Spent a few days of not feeding from bowls and only from hand blowing whistle and then feeding. Soon got the idea.
 
Persephone mine comes to a car horn. So do my dogs actually thinking of it. I've taught mine to come to a whistle. Puppy picked it up very quickly. He would wander around the house and I would blow my whistle. He would come running and I'd treat him. He now has the best recall of them all
 
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