Hi Not sure where this would sit. We use the Acme whistle 210.5 (have plenty around the house and car). I was just reading the article on rge mainsite that says most lab owners would use the 211.5. When we first started out it was all about the 210.5 on things I read. Is there a big difference (apart from the pitch) if we want to use this for retrieval down the track? Thanks
I've got 210.5, my trainer advised when I started out when she was small. I remember now that the gundog suppliers I got it from queried it at the time saying usually it's 211.5 for a Lab and 210.5 for spaniels. But I'm no expert and have no plans to set the world alight with our gundog work. I can't remember what my trainers reason for it is, I shall have to ask him.
The 210.5 is 'best' for spaniels as it is higher pitched (to get through floppy ears )and doesn't carry as far and soaniels work closer. The 211.5 for retrievers carries further and retrievers work further away in the field. In reality of course it's which ever one you choose to train your dog with - they recognise your peeps in amongst others what ever the whistle pitch
I have used 210.5 for German Pointers and my 2 Labs. I find the 211.5 is far too loud for me. I don't think it matters a toss which whistle you use as long as you don't chop and change, even so that should be ok as I forgot my whistle last week, friend lent me hers and it was 211.5, dog still obeyed it
Luna was recalling to Kate @Beanwood's whistle, which is a different tone and a different pattern of pips to mine. She clearly just figures that lots of short pips means come back!
Cool thanks I was just trying to work out the difference. Sounds like if I want you want to introduce distance you might potentially be better off with the 211.5. Recently Vanilla will look at me and if she sees me putting the whistle in my mouth she will come back without me blowing. I still do but so wierd...
Dogs are so canny. I do a bit of whistle work (with my 210.5) as I'm walking Coco down a particular stretch of road. As soon as he hears it rattle as I pull it out from my coat he starts to watch me, as am probably going to throw some food into the grass - I have to be devious to get him to look away.
My lot do the same; if they see me putting the whistle in my mouth on a walk, they know we're going to be doing some ad-hoc stop whistle and stay close, focussing intently on me, which is just what I don't want
They really are - Cass does all of those things @edzbird, @Sven, @snowbunny, when doing the indoor stages of Total Recall it got quite silly, I had to try and pretend I hadn't got the whistle! It got to the stage were she almost said "ok, you put the chicken on the table, then we both pretend to do something else, you blow the whistle I get the food!" Not always the case outdoors though!
