It’s time for more whistle training.
If you are having this problem with your Labrador gundog or any hunting dog, you need to do more whistle training. Below I have posted a short clip of whistle training.
It came from a DVD we did showing how to train a gundog from start to finish. The star of the DVD is a dog called Kayla; she was trained by Ron at 10 months old as her previous owner could not cope with her. I think you will agree Kayla has turned into a great Labrador gundog.
If you would like a copy of the DVD, click below, it’s sold exclusively by Amazon
Click Here To Get The Gundog DVD
Things to make sure of when whistle training
- You should buy a 210.5 or 211.5 whistle (use the same numbered whistle all the time)
- One long toot on the whistle means stop
- Two quick toots means return
- Make sure you use the same types of sound at all time
- Train your dog when its young, the sooner he gets use to the whistle the better
Here is a extract from the book ‘Fancy Training For Your Gundog’ on whistle training in the field:
When our pupil has become so well established in the knowledge of what is required of him that he will, when at quite a distance from you, instantly stop at the signal of the upraised hand and retain his position until given permission to move, we will advance him another step, and teach him the meaning of that other sound of the whistle, that we have mentioned as being used to attract his attention.
We always use for this purpose two very short, quick toots, with the second one following the first instantly. As the meaning of this signal is entirely different from the one that he has become accustomed to, so should the sound be also so different that he can never mistake the one from the other, not for an instant be in doubt as to what is required of him when he hears the sound of the whistle.
As much depends upon first impressions, we will take good care that we start right, and that we let him hear the first sound of this signal at an opportune moment, and as we wish to teach him that this sound is only to attract his attention, we will be very careful that he is not looking toward us, but wait until he is at some little distance from us, and looking the other way.
At the same time care must be taken that he is not particularly engaged about anything that would tend to distract his mind. At just the right time you should sound the signal in a short, sharp, quick way, but only loud enough for him to hear distinctly, At the instant he casts his eye in your direction, raise your hand as a signal for him to To ho. Be very sure that your hand is raised at the proper time, for, as we have remarked before, first impressions are very important, particularly in this lesson, and he should instantly see and obey your signal, thus learning if this course is always pursued that the two short blasts mean nothing in themselves, and are only a warning to call his attention to something of importance that you wish him to do.
You will find it necessary to vary this or he will come to associate this signal with your command of To ho, and at once stop when he hears it. Now we wish to train him so thoroughly in this that, when we come, a little later, to teach him to quarter his ground, he will not slacken his speed at the sound, but merely turn his head in your direction, and quick as a flash obey whatever signal you may give him ; therefore, when you repeat this lesson, instead of raising your hand for him to stop, command him to charge.
Of course you will see that he is near enough to hear you plainly. Perhaps it will be as well at the next trial to sound the long note as soon as he looks around, and call him in, not forgetting to abundantly caress and praise him when he performs his task in a pleasing manner. We think it a very good plan to always have in our pocket something good for him to eat, and when he minds this long note and comes in quickly, we reward him with a bit of something substantial as well as with fine words.
This is a little more advanced but a excellent extract from a excellent book. For your copy Of this great manuel Click on Labrador Gundog