Training a dog with a whistle is essential for hunting. Indeed, hunting dogs often tend to stray from their owner during walks because they are quickly distracted by the scent of other animals and game. This is perfectly normal if you consider that they are following their deep-seated trait of predation, for which they were selected. However, to ensure that the outing goes smoothly and for the safety of the dog, it is necessary to instill a discipline that the dog can respond to instinctively and without error. The whistle is a highly used tool among hunters to train dogs for recall and to communicate certain specific commands. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of using a whistle with hunting dogs, and especially how to use it effectively.
The Importance of a Whistle in Training a Hunting Dog
The whistle is an extension of your voice that allows you to continue giving commands to your hunting dog from a distance. When the dog is nearby, you can easily speak to it, but when it begins to distance itself, hunt, or even relax, it becomes necessary to use the whistle, simply to call it back, or with training, to make it stop, among other coded commands.
The whistle is a particularly useful accessory because it has a neutral sound, always consistent, that carries well even in windy conditions. It serves as an auditory marker that can be conditioned for recall, always with positive reinforcement when the dog returns. Initially, you can set a virtual perimeter that the dog must not cross under threat of recall (for example, the dog should always stay within sight).
Main Commands and Steps for Whistle Training
1. Useful Commands for Hunting
The two main commands used with a whistle are recall and stop. Depending on the duration of the whistle, different behaviors can be taught: a short or double whistle for recall, and a long and descending whistle for stopping, with lying down, for example. Based on the type of whistle, the dog will understand whether it should stop or return to you.
Generally, short, sharp whistles correspond to recall! These can be used with hounds to gather the pack. Stopping at a distance, on the other hand, allows you to stop the dog, whether it is a pointing dog or a retrieving dog. For the retriever, this allows you to give it a command, and for the pointing dog, it allows you to make it stop on game. Additionally, a third command, the start, can be issued with a loud, short whistle.
2. The 5 Steps of Training
We will review the different steps for whistle training, from puppy training to adult dogs prepared for hunting. With young dogs, it's important to try to work a little every day, with sessions lasting 5 to 10 minutes, ideally 5 times a week. This way, after 2-3 months, the dog will have a solid understanding of what is expected.
a. Puppy Training: Teaching Recall with the Whistle
The first steps of whistle training in puppies can ideally begin at 3 months or earlier. At this age, the animal is still in a playful phase, making it easy to capture its attention by making the training fun. At the same time, you can start teaching recall with the whistle, getting the puppy accustomed to the sound of the whistle with several short blasts. At this stage, it's important to be generous with rewards as soon as the dog understands and performs the exercise: a whistle, the dog comes back, a small reward, "Good job!".
b. Training a Young Dog: Teaching Stop with a Leash
Next, we will teach the 6-month-old puppy to stop, using the whistle and a leash: guide the dog while walking with the leash, stop, give a whistle, and offer a small reward! This simple exercise can be practiced daily by all family members, even when walking in the city, as long as the dog has acquired the basic skills early on.
Practically speaking, training for stopping at a distance with the whistle starts with heel walking, with the dog on a leash. The whistle blast is generally long and descending. Begin walking with the dog, stop, ask the dog to sit "Sit", give a long whistle (while simultaneously making a hand signal with a flat hand), then reward or pet the dog. This exercise can be repeated multiple times: continue walking, whistle again (always with the hand signal so the dog clearly understands the visual stop (hand gesture) and the sound (the whistle), and so on over several meters.
c. Reinforcing the Stop without a Leash
Once the dog has fully understood this, you can remove the leash and repeat the same exercise, without the leash. The process remains the same: heel position, walk with the dog beside you, and stop with a whistle blast (a long whistle blast and the dog sits). Then, heel, continue walking, and a whistle blast (the dog should stop), but not the handler.
The handler continues walking forward, then after a few steps, stops and turns toward the dog, reinforcing the stop with another long whistle blast (the dog should stay still). When the dog has thoroughly learned this, you can continue to move away, while insisting with the whistle (long whistle blast) to ensure the dog stays in place, waiting for further instructions from the handler.
d. Varying Commands with the Whistle and Hand Signals
Once the initial steps have been mastered, you can start to recall the dog with the whistle from a good distance (around twenty meters). The recall with the whistle is done with several short, sharp whistles. As the dog approaches the handler, take the opportunity to play with the whistle and vary the commands: stop the dog again with a long whistle blast (wait for it to sit), which allows you to practice and master stopping at a distance.
If the dog moves, return to the dog, always with the hand out flat to signal "Stop", while reinforcing with the long whistle blast. Once the dog is stopped, reward it with petting (the reward), and continue the exercise in the same manner, alternating between recall and stopping at a distance with the whistle and hand signals, ensuring to always associate "Sit", the whistle, and the hand signal correctly.
In fact, it's the hand that directs when the dog is in sight. The whistle quickly stops the dog (thanks to the sound conditioning), and then the hand commands what to do next. You can either recall the dog (by clapping or tapping your thigh, for example, in addition to the short, sharp whistles), or send it to the right, left, or even further away.
e. Increasing the Difficulty of the Exercises
Finally, after mastering heel walking on a leash, then without a leash, stopping and sitting with the whistle, as well as recall, you can also work on sending the dog off with the whistle using a sharp and brief whistle blast. First, send the dog and gradually stop it at 10, 20, and 30 meters. Train in this manner, and if it works well, you can extend the distance a bit further.
For example, after running a good fifty meters, the dog should stop at the first long, decreasing whistle blast, which will be confirmed by a second long whistle blast so that the dog sits and waits. At the following sharp whistle blasts, the dog should quickly return to its handler.
When the dog is well-trained, no matter the distance, with a long whistle blast, the dog will be alerted, look at us, and await further commands. Once the whistle training is well ingrained, the dog usually does not forget. However, periodic refreshers will always be beneficial.
Training Your Dog with a Whistle: Achieve Your Goals with Perseverance and Patience
Training hunting dogs with a whistle is essential for controlling your dogs at a distance during hunting sessions. However, it is no easy task. It requires patience and perseverance, and depending on the breed of the dog, you will achieve results at varying speeds. Some owners may prefer to enlist the help of a professional. However, if you are passionate and dedicate the necessary time, within a few months, using the tips and methods provided in this article, you will achieve the desired success with your hunting dog. With regular training, recall, stopping, and sending off with the whistle will become second nature to you. We wish you successful dog whistle training!
