By Mary Thompson
It’s very important to start learning to whistle early on in your herding career. You will not be able to move effectively beyond NN without them, given the greater distance. Find a whistle that is to your liking (plastic, brass, aluminum, horn, corian, tin). I personally tend to grip the whistle with my teeth, and I don't like the taste of
metal, so I have stuck with the less expensive plastic whistles. However some handlers prefer the thinner metal ones; you need to try a few to see what works for you personally.
Practice with the whistle away from the dog until you can play a tune; Happy Birthday, Jingle Bells,….or along with the radio and your favourite song. This will give you the subtle variations that you will need in order to teach them to your dog and to be competent blowing your whistles on the trial field. The need for consistency is of utmost importance.
Choose wisely. I teach my pups a recall whistle first “that will do”, and mine is a two tone. Then move on to trial whistles. Typically a walk up is a “peep peep” while a lie down is a loud/long flat tone that can be heard by the dog at 500 yards. The next step is to choose flank whistles that are totally different from each other, and ones that you can blow consistently every time. Do not choose “high to low” for one side, and then “low to high” for the other flank. You will get mixed up. I would suggest a two tone note for one flank, and a single flat note for the other side. From there you can add a slowdown (a softer version of the lie down), a half halt or stand (a sharp short version of the lie down) a turn back, shift up....etc.
If you struggle with consistency, don’t choose difficult whistles even if your mentor or friend uses them. Pick what you can blow effectively. I do not recommend three tone whistles as it takes too long to get them out, and if the
action on the field is fast and furious you will not have time to get it out before you need to blow something else.
Being able to whistle effectively on the trial field will help you and your dog be a consistent, winning team, and it’s so nice not to have to resort to yelling and straining your voice. Happy whistling!
Plastic Whistle
Corian Whistle
Metal Whistle
