From the July 2014 edition onwards we're having a page of your questions in the magazine. If you have an interesting dog-related question you'd like answered please send an email to thinktank@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk
May issue
May issue
Wednesday 10 March 2010
The dog whistler?
Hi,
I really want to whistle train my dog and I was just wondering if anyone recommended a certain whistle? Does it not matter or are there some really good ones out there? Any tips for the training?
Dave Smith
An Acme 210 1/2 (that's two ten and a half!) Everyone here on Exmoor uses Acme whistles and they are used for training gundogs. None of my Labradors have been gundogs but all trained using Acmes - brilliant! The local supplier recommends starting with the two ten and a half.
The basics are covered here (it's about gundogs but principles are the same) http://www.itsaspringthing.co.uk/gundog.htm
I'd suggest the Acme 210.5 this is a good all-rounder. Do you have a gundog? If you do then I can highly recommend the book "Positive Gun Dogs: Clicker Training for Sporting Breeds" by Jim Barry, Mary Emmen, and Susan Smith. Angela
I too use acme whistles for both my dogs (Pulis not gundogs) starting with 211 and a half with my first dog followed by the higher pitched 210 and a half for my second dog.
Our training club uses Acme with all breeds of dogs with great success (we even have an entire Alaskan Malamute offlead during walks returning instantly to his acme.
We start with 3 pips for recall - do it in the house as you lay down the dogs bowl at feeding time or with treats and your dog will quickly learn 3 pips come to owner for a treat. Two pips means "this way/heel" and one long whistle means STOP.
Both my Pulis were whistle trained from puppyhood and the added benefit is any member of the family can control/recall the dogs as they respond so much better/quicker to the whistle than individual voices.
And the whistles no longer come in boring black, my son has a lime green one for our 6 month old Puli and I have a baby blue one for this pup and a purple one for my older Puli so theres no mix up in who I am working while out with both dogs.
NEVER let a vet give your dog a double vaccination. This practice is outdated and nothing but a money spinner for the veterinary cash machine.
My dog developed CDRM 14 weeks after a vet gave him a double vaccination (without my consent or knowledge). If your vet says you need to go back to the start after having missed an annual booster (also now thought to be pointless and potentially dangerous) then leave and take your dog somewhere else. DO NOT let them inject your dog with the full vaccine - he does not need it.
An Acme 210 1/2 (that's two ten and a half!) Everyone here on Exmoor uses Acme whistles and they are used for training gundogs. None of my Labradors have been gundogs but all trained using Acmes - brilliant! The local supplier recommends starting with the two ten and a half.
ReplyDeleteThe basics are covered here (it's about gundogs but principles are the same)
http://www.itsaspringthing.co.uk/gundog.htm
Hi Dave,
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest the Acme 210.5 this is a good all-rounder. Do you have a gundog? If you do then I can highly recommend the book "Positive Gun Dogs: Clicker Training for Sporting Breeds" by Jim Barry, Mary Emmen, and Susan Smith.
Angela
I too use acme whistles for both my dogs (Pulis not gundogs) starting with 211 and a half with my first dog followed by the higher pitched 210 and a half for my second dog.
ReplyDeleteOur training club uses Acme with all breeds of dogs with great success (we even have an entire Alaskan Malamute offlead during walks returning instantly to his acme.
We start with 3 pips for recall - do it in the house as you lay down the dogs bowl at feeding time or with treats and your dog will quickly learn 3 pips come to owner for a treat. Two pips means "this way/heel" and one long whistle means STOP.
Both my Pulis were whistle trained from puppyhood and the added benefit is any member of the family can control/recall the dogs as they respond so much better/quicker to the whistle than individual voices.
And the whistles no longer come in boring black, my son has a lime green one for our 6 month old Puli and I have a baby blue one for this pup and a purple one for my older Puli so theres no mix up in who I am working while out with both dogs.
NEVER let a vet give your dog a double vaccination. This practice is outdated and nothing but a money spinner for the veterinary cash machine.
ReplyDeleteMy dog developed CDRM 14 weeks after a vet gave him a double vaccination (without my consent or knowledge). If your vet says you need to go back to the start after having missed an annual booster (also now thought to be pointless and potentially dangerous) then leave and take your dog somewhere else. DO NOT let them inject your dog with the full vaccine - he does not need it.