Recall training with whistle.

amazonstarlight · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:41 am Post subject: Recall training with whistle.

Okay, I have been working on training Sadie for over a year and she is absolutely amazing, but her recall isn't that great. But it's also something I haven't worked on that much. I am still training Scooter the basics and he is doing okay so far. But the main thing I want to do is a recall for the dogs. My best figure is to train them to recall to a whistle sound. I plan on using chicken bait, which I have never trained on before, and have them come back to me at a sit before they get a treat. Does anyone have any tips on training with treats, training on a recall up to larger distances, and training with a whistle(which I have never done before either)? Also is a regular PE whistle okay or does it need to be a silent dog whistle?

Thanks in advance for any info!

h20fwlkillr · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:59 pm Post subject:

The best way to train recall w/ a whistle is to get voice or hand signal recall down perfect. After that, overlay the whistle and eventually lose the voice command. It just takes repetition. A regular PE whistle will work fine or any other whistle you want to use, just make sure you can match the sound if you have to use a new one, or the dog may not respond.

amazonstarlight · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 7:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks h20fwlkillr. I appreciate the info. That makes a lot of sense. I didn't even think of the sound maybe being different and throwing off the dogs. I got a PE whistle and a 75 foot check cord so I think I'm ready to start on the simple commands first. I am trying to find some land to work the dogs on after I can get them to recall in the yard and the parks.

peppernaei · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:14 pm Post subject:

Once the recalls were reliable at closer distances, we practiced long distance recalls between two people at the park - with yummy treats at random calls. I introduced a standard "Fox 40" whistle by calling and blowing the whistle - we also have a hand signal. It only took a few times for him to catch on and now the whistle is more reliable than my poor yell. I have been with a few people with different whistles and he catches on quickly that their whistle means to come as well.

You may also want to consider the cue that you whistle - one long blow, two short, etc - whatever you wish as long as you keep it consistent.