Why You Should Train Your Dog To Recall To A Whistle

Dog training, recall training to a whistle

In my opinion and experience, and when it comes to training your dog or puppy, training an amazing recall is one of the most vital skills you can teach them. In this blog I’ll be exploring the reasons why.

A strong recall can mean the difference between safety and danger, freedom and restriction.

Lots of dog owners rely on voice commands to call their dogs back, however that isn’t always the best way to do it. Training your dog to recall to a whistle is not just a fancy trick, it’s a powerful tool with a huge amount of benefits. So here’s why I choose to train my own dog and my clients’ dogs to recall to a whistle; and why you should train yours to do the same too.

Consistent sound

One of the main reasons a whistle is more effective than a voice command is the consistency you get with the sound. Human voices can change depending on emotions, environment or even health. You might yell more loudly if you’re scared, or your voice might waver if you’re tired or you might shout sternly if you’re frustrated or angry. These fluctuations can confuse your dog, who may not understand why the command sounds different. Not only that, if you’re calling your dog back in an angry tone, it is unlikely they are going to want to return to you.

A whistle, on the other hand, is consistent. It always sounds the same, no matter who blows it or what mood they’re in. This makes it incredibly clear to your dog each and every time it is blown and helps them understand exactly what is expected every time they hear the sound.

Range

Another significant advantage of using a whistle for recall is its range. A human voice, even the loud mouths out there, can only carry so far. In a noisy or windy environment, even shouting might not be enough to reach your dog’s ears.  Or if your dog is fixated on something, or perhaps they are chasing prey, you need a recall cue that is going to cut through all of that in their heads. 

A whistle is designed to cut through noise and travel long distances. Whether your dog is playing in a field, running on the beach or exploring the woods, a whistle’s sharp, clear tone will reach them far more effectively than a voice cue ever will.

No Emotion

Dogs are incredibly sensitive to our emotions. If you call your dog in a panicked or angry tone, they might pick up on that stress and become anxious themselves. This can lead them to hesitate or even worry about returning to you as they might not want to approach you if they sense something is wrong.

A whistle is entirely neutral. It doesn’t carry the weight of human emotions, so your dog will respond to it in a calm and predictable way.

Multi-User Friendly

In many households, multiple family members need to be able to recall your dog as, quite often, lots of different members of the family will walk your dog at different times. The same goes for dog walkers and people who help you look after your dog.  Since everyone’s voice is different, it can be challenging for a dog to respond consistently to different tones and pitches. A whistle solves this problem because it sounds the same no matter who is using it. This makes it easier for your dog to understand and respond to the recall command, regardless of who is giving it.

Effective in Emergencies

If you don’t have a reliable recall then your dog is not safe off-lead outdoors.  Emergencies are where a reliable recall can be life-saving. Imagine your dog running towards a busy road or getting too close to livestock/wildlife or even needing to return to you because of an aggressive dog. In situations like this, there’s no time for your voice to falter, for your dog to not hear your recall or second-guess your command. A whistle can quickly and effectively grab your dog’s attention, bringing them back to safety without delay.

Freedom for All of You

Training your dog to recall to a whistle gives them more freedom to explore, enjoy their surroundings and engage in natural dog behaviours that being on lead restricts them from. With a reliable recall, you can confidently allow your dog off-lead in safe areas, knowing they will come back every time.  This gives them and you more freedom on walks and makes walks so much more enjoyable. Not only that, more freedom means that your dog’s physical health will improve through better exercise and they will be far happier being able to naturally explore their environments off-lead.

Training an amazing recall in your dog takes time, patience and consistency. Training an amazing whistle recall needs carefully planned steps to get it right. It is an investment in their safety and everyone’s overall happiness and enjoyment on walks. It means you can give your dog the life that they deserve, knowing that they are safe off-lead.  It is a small effort to train that pays off in a big way.

If you need help to train your dog an amazing recall, head to the Book Now button and get in touch with me for a free no-obligation chat today. I have developed a highly powerful and extremely successful award-winning magnetic recall programme and I would love to help you with your dog.

The whistles I choose to use for my recall training are made by ACME. They are simply the best in the business. Whilst they are predominantly used for working gundogs, I choose this particular whistle for its tone and pitch and find it is the best to train your recall with. Head here to buy the ACME 211.5 whistle

Have fun training your dog and thanks for reading,

Jo xx

*please note I may receive commission on any purchases made*