Communication. Specifically, communication through the use of a whistle. The whistle is a language all its own, and mastering it means conveying different messages through variations in tone, volume, and duration. It’s a sophisticated skill and, when done well, can elevate a handler’s effectiveness to the next level.
In this month’s video BLOG, I share an “aha” moment I experienced this past year, along with a conversation I had with a new acquaintance, Faansie Basson. Faansie, from South Africa, is one of the world’s top Border Collie handlers. After watching the Bluegrass Classic Sheepdog Trial, I was struck by the precision and depth of communication that these handler-dog teams achieved using only a whistle. It made me reflect on how we use our whistles in the world of retrievers and the potential we have to refine our own communication.
In the video, I discuss what’s achievable when we focus on conveying clear, precise messages through our whistles. I hope you’ll find it insightful and inspiring.
Thank you for taking the time to watch and listen. I believe it will help you on the journey to becoming that “Above Average Handler.”
See you in the field (or online) soon!
Pat Burns
P.S. Exciting things are on the horizon for Retriever Revolution membership in 2025! Join the waitlist now to be the first to hear about all the details. We’re building something truly special, and I’d be thrilled to have you along for the journey
Interesting...
I have often wondered (but never done anything about) whether we could use the same type of "in the mouth" whistles that sheep dog handlers use. These are not deafening to judges and the gallery yet the dogs seem to be able to hear them at amazing distances. The next question of course is whether we could then use "hands free" casting by teaching our dogs to go back, turn left and right using different whistles as the sheep dog handlers do. Of course sheep dogs do have a target - a flock of sheep, so they have a reference point in front of them whereas our dogs do not, and also have centuries of genetics behind them.