In the Retriever world one whistle blast is "stop" which is also sit for a retriever if they are on land. 2 short blasts are go or release command mainly used when the dog is out of range of voice, on a blind taking directionals for example.
So when training my upland dogs, I usually avoid whistle release altogether and opt for just the "okay" voice release.This is NOT for a release after whoa, but a release to start hunting. But I have seen many trainers using a single whistle as release for their pointing dogs.
I have used a short 2 blasts in the field to give directionals, but don't stop the dogs for this like you would a lab. Just double blast and dog looks my way and I direct and they take off, because I don't want them to stop hunting just change directions. Now the lab handles like this in the field too when flushing, with no stop and does not seem confused. [For the lab on a retrieve, I would whistle once, she would sit, I would give directional, then whistle twice and she would take off in direction indicated (sometimes she does
anyway)]As I intend to hunt my GSP's for ducks possibly with the lab, I want to avoid confusion. So the question is... should I continue to use only verbal, or should I train to release on a double whistle.
And I suppose last question is does it really matter voice or whistle on this?
