Which Whistle Works Best For Gundogs? Training

I've just been on a gundog site to find a good whistle for Louie to start training him on recall.

Anyway this site allows you to hear the the sound of a couple of whistles - Louie listened but wasn't very interested.

So what Whistle do you use?

Acme 210 1/2 is the most common, did the breeder use a whistle?

I have Acme 11 1/2 whistles...three sharp pips for the 'come' command.

try this one

gundog whistle

Personally I don't think it makes much difference I use the one I like and my dog seems fine with it. Some you have to blow harder to get a clear whistle it makes my ears ring so I'm not keen on them. I'd pick one your happy with and stick with it - keep it simple.

This is the one that is recommended for spaniels.

I use the higher pitched Acme whistle for my lot, can't remember if it's the 210 1/2 or 211 1/2 without looking though?

Either way it doesn't matter what whistle you use, it's the training that's more significant.

210 ½ is recommended for spaniels as it has a good range and a higher frequency, to get their attention with. It’s also good with old and hard of hearing dogs.

211 ½ is what is preferred by Labrador gundog trainers, it also has a lower frequency than 210 ½, so is a bit easier on the ears.

Is there an inbetween? Louie is half and half

He's good with my whistle which is my fingers in my mouth but it isn't really good when I have gloves on or I don't position my fingers right - hence the need of a whistle.

Thanks for the help guys and I will get the spaniel one as I have noticed he does work like a springer and has longer ears than a lab, but if not - the lab whistle should work.

I don't know if his mum - who I know was a working Springer was used with a whistle. We had no intention of using a whistle until recently.

Thanks guys

I have a 211.5 that I would swap for a 210.5 if you got it and changed your mind.

I only just found out that there was a difference depending on dog type so it would be interesting to try the different frequency.

Does anyone use a 212?

Acme 211 in fluorescent orange cos I keep losing them.
You have to train the dog to respond to the whistle. Whistle at dinner time etc.

Erm, the one it comes back to.

Surely there isn't a rule to the type of whistle, it's more about the training with a whistle?

A common mistake, focusing on the tool (eg whistle, collar, lead) rather than the training.

A dog will not "automatically" recall to a whistle any more than it will to a hand signal or a vocal command. It has to be taught to do so.

The main advantages of a whistle is that it travels further (very important if you are working a dog in the field at some distance) and that it is consistent (ie it does not matter who uses it or if you have lost your voice to a cold etc) and unemotional.

A dog will respond to whatever you train your dog to respond to, whether it is a gundog whistle, shepherds or referee!

I use a shepherds's lip whistle as it travels further and you can very the tone, a gundog whistle only has one pitch, and it is the number and length of the pips that provide commands. A sheepdog whistle means you can have a lot more variation and thus a lot more commands.

If you only want a recall then it matters not what model you buy! I have found that HPRs respond to all sorts!

There isnt a 212.

Paul

Er I think you will find there is!

She hasn’t got a HPR; a gundog whistle doesn’t just have one pitch it varies anything up to 20 +/- depending on how hard you blow.

Like I said 210 ½ is very successful with spaniels, due to its high pitch.

SLB; if you want Something in-between buy the 211.5

There is but its more for the professional field trialers.

Er yes I know she does not have an HPR! The pitch of a whistle is irrelevant re breed. Most people end up with a particular pitch as they do what the original poster has done here, ask someone what THEY use and follow!

Cockers, Springers, Field, Sussex etc Spaniels respond to a variety of tones.

Retrievers whether Labrador, Golden, Flatcoat, Chessie or Curlies do the same!


Let me put it this way, you cannot blow a tune on a gundog whistle, but you can play "Rule Brittania" on a sheepdog whistle!

There is but its more for the professional field trialers.

The question was "has anyone used a 212", the answer you gave was incorrect.

There is nothing to stop ANYONE using a 212, whatever dog they work, whether they are an amateur or professional and whether for Field Trial use or pleasure!