Re: Whistle for training Acme whistles are good - and if you lose one you can buy one exactly the same (without changing the sound). There are different styles and different frequencies. The 210.5 or the 211.5 are recommended in this article: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/should-you-buy-a-dog-whistle/ The 211.5 is a lower frequency which means it sounds louder to our ears and also carries further than a higher pitched whistle (all to do with how sounds of different frequencies 'bend' through the air). I have a 211.5 for those reasons.
Re: Whistle for training If you look at the Acme whistles you'll see: 210 210.5 and 211.5 They all look the same but the ones with the ".5" don't have a pea, meaning they produce a single note (not the more warbling sound of a whistle with a pea). The 210.5 and 211.5 come in lots of colours Get a lanyard too so you can hang it round your neck.
Re: Whistle for training I use acme 212 - but it makes no difference whatsoever which whistle I use, Charlie responds to 210 and 211.5 in exactly the same way. I think he responds to the pattern of how I blow a whistle.
Re: Whistle for training Definitely Acme, easily replaced with the same tone if lost. Traditionally 210.5 for Spaniels, 211.5 for Labradors: in reality it makes not a blind bit of difference to the dog IMHO. Practise with it before you start using it so you get the hang of making the same noise and do it quietly, your dog has amazing hearing, you don't need to be loud. Keep loud for the field when he's quite far away. It's also easier on your (and everyone else who is around) ears
