What are the best wistle commands?

[Spike]

I'm trying to train one of my Brits to whistle commands and have scoured the net to try to find what are good whistle commands for the various behaviors. So far I think this is the consensus:

• One long blast = stop or whoa
  Two short pips = hunt or go out
  A series (3 to 5) of two short pips = come here

Beyond that there seem to be little info and no consensus.
Is there a good book(s) that any of you would recommend?
How about the whistle, audible (pea or no-pea) or silent?
Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Spike

[crazyboy]

I've been trying to teach mine one long one is woah, and 3 short ones is come. Those are really the only commands I'm concerned with the whistle on.

[gonehuntin']

I use one blast for Whoa.

Two blasts means NO or change direction.

Three means Here.

To release the dog, I just say OK.

[jcbuttry8]

I'm with Gonehuntin. I run pretty much the same whistle. Again it is preference but I am not sure you need a whoa whistle. you will train the dog to hold on birds. the change directions should be one you want.

Joe

[pointshootretrieve]

One that the dog obeys I use the Acme dual tone, 1 quick blast = WOAH, 2 quick blast = change direction, 2 blasts on the pea less end of the whistle = COME. I have never believed in a long drawn out whistle command it is like pleading IMO.

[pointshootretrieve]

I'm with Gonehuntin. I run pretty much the same whistle. Again it is preference but I am not sure you need a whoa whistle. you will train the dog to hold on birds. the change directions should be one you want.

Joe

If you properly teach WOAH it means more than just hold on your birds, it is a command to stop when, where, I say and look to me for the next command. This can be used in helping the dog on a blind, or to keep it out of danger.

[slistoe]

I use the pealess whistle because it is easier on my ears.

[Dave C]

I use 1 long blast to stop her dead and make her sit.
2 pips make her change direction / quarter in the opposite direction.
more than that brings her back to me.
I also use hand signals to reinforce the whistle, obviously directions and if i point in the air it makes her hunt out further.

Dave.

[Spike]

I'm with Gonehuntin. I run pretty much the same whistle. Again it is preference but I am not sure you need a whoa whistle. you will train the dog to hold on birds. the change directions should be one you want.

Joe

If you properly teach WOAH it means more than just hold on your birds, it is a command to stop when, where, I say and look to me for the next command. This can be used in helping the dog on a blind, or to keep it out of danger.

Thanks all.

I like the idea of the whoa command (or whatever you want to call it) meaning stop, watch and wait for my next command. This seems very useful, especially at a good distance. But, I'm tired of shouting "WHOA!" This is what I have taught other dogs. But, I figure I'm never too old to learn so wondered if anyone had other better ideas. I also like the idea of combining hand signals with whistle commands. Makes sense.

Are there any books that talk about this, i.e., whistle commands, hand signals, etc?

And what about whistles... audible vs. silent, and pea vs. pealess on the audibles? Slistoe expressed a preference and explained why (thanks).

Thanks again for the responses and again in advance for further input.

Spike

[bigmike86]

I have a double ended whistle, one is a flat tone, the other has the ball with the trill. This allows for a multitude of distinct commands. Just a thought, it is the standard here in Germany. Good luck

[AzDoggin]

I have a double ended whistle, one is a flat tone, the other has the ball with the trill. This allows for a multitude of distinct commands. Just a thought, it is the standard here in Germany. Good luck

That must be the one that Bodo Winterheldt uses on the NAVHDA video. One end is a much softer tone - that's the one he used for "whoa." The other end carries longer distances - and are for turning the dog, bringing them in etc..

[bigmike86]

Actually the one end is a piercing flat tone. I use it for come and it works pretty well. It would be hard to get it confused with any othe whistle sound. My wife gets really mad when i blow it without a warning...