Calling a dog is without any doubt one of the most important commands that the dog should reliably master at any situation. Most often, we call the dog using the command “come”, but we can also emphasise it with a whistle. It pays off mainly in situation when the dog gets so far away from you, that the voice itself is not enough, or in time of diseases when your vocal cords just give out.
Have you also lived through situations when your four-legged friend focused so much on something else, like when they caught a smell and followed a track, that they didn’t react on a classic calling command at all? Dog has a significantly better developed sense of hearing than human, so they hear the sound – of a classic or ultrasound whistle – for up to several kilometres depending on the ruggedness of the terrain. Not only for the cases when your dog is overcome by strong hunting instincts and they immediately follow a track, but also for unfledged puppies, which are still fighting with the calling training, the whistle can be a useful tool. The whistle is also very popular not only in hunting or scent hounds where the dog gets far from its handler for great distances, but you will use it even during usual walkies.
The dog has to react to a calling immediately without hesitation or thinking. Therefore, in the beginnings of training, use this command only if you’re sure that the dog will definitely run to you. In situations where you are certain, use the command and whistle excitedly. Then the whistle is going to hold a special position and the calling will work better with it. If your dog already masters the calling command, it isn’t difficult to teach him to react to a whistle. Just whistle after a routine command. The length and pitch of the whistling shouldn’t change. After the dog obeys immediately and comes to you, reward them. But at first, reward with a compliment such as “good boy” and with a stroke, even if the dog comes after several times for them to get motivated. It is a good idea to switch rewards – one time, use a favourite toy, other time, a treat or a stroke – so that the training is more exciting for the dog and doesn’t start to bore them. Gradually, we can move the training from a calm environment to busier locations.
There, we are going to reverse the process: first, we whistle, and only then comes the command. It may happen, that the dog reacts immediately and there won’t be any need for the command. Again, we switch between light terrain and stimuli up to the most difficult and strongest ones. In the same way, extend the distance between you and the dog before giving a command. As a result, you will achieve that whistling which didn’t have any meaning for the dog, is now an impulse for them to run to you the shortest way possible, without you giving them any voice command. As with a training of any command, be consistent, calm and don’t rush.
I began to use a whistle only with our youngest doggy, already since his first walks. Today, I am immensely grateful for it. He is a bit feistier than the rest of the pack and at that, he still has the craving of a young dog to explore the world around him. When the usual “come” due to many reasons doesn’t work even for the second time on the dog junior, I use a whistle. Since we have been training regularly since he was little, it won’t happen that he wouldn’t come. And it works even when I need to recall him from a game and he’s not reacting to my voice. If you would like to teach your adult dog to react at a whistle, the principles are going to bet he same, you only have to count with it taking a bit more time and treats :-).
And what is your experience with a whistle?
Heroparkour is a great sport for problem dogs. Since a great part of problem behaviour has roots directly in timidity. Such dog is unable to handle more complex situations of ordinary life due to fear. It doesn’t believe non-standard conditions.
The use of dogs in search and rescue (the so-called SAR) is an integral part of natural disasters, mass accidents or, for example, when search for missing people. Do you know, when the first dog rescuers appeared?
Every dog has its individuality and is unique in its own way, so even the period of growing up can differ significantly in every individual. I know dog owners, who didn’t know what to do with puberty excesses of their otherwise loved four-legged...
A handy assistant not only for dog owners, who need to work on training with their dog, but also for sport cynologists who, on the other hand, are refining the discipline called the “track” with their dogs. The original purpose of the long cord with a...
One dog isn’t enough for you and you’re looking for an excuse that will help you vindicate having a whole pack at home? One option is to become a musher - a dog sled racer. For adrenaline lovers, who’d love to ride through the landscape on a sled using...
Of course there are more apps, we chose only the ones for you that intrigued us the most. Have you tried an app or have you got a favourite one that you could recommend to others?
It’s like a rollercoaster ride with outside temperatures this winter, once you’re up and then back down. All the more attention should we pay to the care for our dogs. Since it’s not only us, people, who don’t take well to the changing temperatures.
Unfortunately, in the life of dog owners, even unpleasant situations occur, which aren’t only an intervention in the life of your dog partner, but also affect your wallet. For example, if the dog gets hit by a car or it is otherwise injured and the...
With changes of the temperatures accompanying the autumn, higher demands are put on the organism and thus its immune system. That’s why it’s not unreasonable to start and boost the immunity already now. Remember, that prevention is always better and...
Before we get to winter sports that you can do with your four-legged buddies it’s good to remember the care that you shouldn’t forget about in this period.
If you’re planning to go abroad, even just for a few days, then definitely don’t forget about the animal’s passport. When you’re packing this dog passport, make sure that you check off-hand, that your four-legged friend has all its vaccinations valid....
Kittens, as well as a number of other animal offspring, are born blind. Their eyes open around the tenth day of their life and only after another week, they are fully functional. Even though the sight in a cat belongs among the best-developed senses,...
