How to Whistle Train Your Dog

Get your dog familiar with the whistle. Toot the whistle two short times, and if your dog comes to see what the noise is, give it a treat. Do this a few times on the first day, then on the second day, take your dog outside and see if it comes running when you blow the whistle. Shout "come!" and then give the whistle signal (two short blasts). Keep doing this every day, several times per day, until you can just give the whistle blasts and no voice command.

Teach your dog how to sit with the whistle command. Give it the sit command, and blow one short blast on the whistle. Repeat this every day, several times per day, for about a week. Then, just blow the whistle, and see if your dog will sit. Once it has this down, try moving far away from your dog and giving the "come" and "sit" whistle commands. Try to get it to start coming, then to sit when you blow the whistle as it is running.

Consider using different toned whistles. Many dogs will not be able to distinguish between the number of whistle blows. In that case, try using whistles that have different tones for the "sit" and "come" commands.

Decide what the most important command for you is, if the two-toned whistle is not working. Many dogs will only be able to associate one command with a whistle. For most people the "come" command is the best one to use with a whistle because it eliminates the need to shout at your dog when it is far away.

Use the whistle command at least once per week, or your dog may lose the ability to perform on command, and you will have to start over with your training.