Whistle Recall Training

We’ve definitely shouted after Mrok more than once – only to watch him keep running, then slow down, and eventually return, panting like nothing happened.

Not exactly a picture of perfect teamwork… but Mrok’s still young, and so are we – at least in terms of experience. So yes, we’ll probably shout again (though we’re slowly learning better ways). If it weren’t for our trainers, we might have screamed ourselves hoarse by now.

Instead, we’ve discovered new tools – like dog whistles. They’ve been around for decades, but to us, they’re a practical little breakthrough. Give them a read.

Mrok in full sprint, chasing his partner-in-crime Fifka — no recall needed, just pure joy

We believe that recall training is one of the most important parts of working with a dog - especially because it directly affects their safety. Different dogs may need different approaches – ideally, a good trainer can help choose the most effective method for teaching recall.

In Mrok’s case, we’ve had good results using the word “Baza” as an emergency recall. But what really works better than words is when we suddenly turn and move quickly in the opposite direction from where he’s heading.

Calm, focused, and fully equipped. The collar stays in place – whether he’s working, waiting… or just licking his nose

When does recall stop working?

1. When Mrok is overwhelmed by something far more attractive than us – for example, a fresh scent combined with the sight of a deer running away. The best moment to react is before he launches into pursuit – if we do that, he's usually still responsive. We’re still learning to catch that moment. Just as Mrok is still learning to work with us.

2. When he’s too far away to hear our voice – just a few hundred meters combined with a strong wind is enough.

This is our ACME 211.5 – the whistle we use when voice isn’t enough. Simple, reliable, and surprisingly effective

What do we do in that case?

For a while now, we’ve been training whistle recall. We use the ACME 211.5 whistle from the UK-based company ACME. What’s interesting is that ACME produces whistles tuned for different environments. The same whistle sounds different – and carries differently – across a meadow, in the forest, or in a built-up area. If you know the type of terrain you usually walk your dog in, and what kind of dog you have, you can choose the most suitable whistle.

Below is a table that compares different ACME models, with notes on which one may work best for your needs:

ACME Dog Whistles – Comparison Table

ACME Model	Frequency	Effective Range	Best Use Environment	Target Use	Notes
210.5	6200 Hz	up to 90 m	Calm, short-distance situations	Spaniels, close-working dogs	High-pitched, easy to blow
211.5	5700 Hz	up to 1.5 km	Open spaces, fields	Retrievers, long-distance working dogs	Consistent tone, unaffected by blowing strength
212 (Pro Trialler)	5200 Hz	up to 1.5 km	Dense terrain, forests	Pointers, setters, terriers	Stable frequency across conditions
535 (Silent Whistle)	Adjustable: 5200–12800 Hz	up to 1.5 km	Quiet zones, cities	All breeds	Often inaudible to humans
Thunderer 560	N/A	High	Windy or noisy environments	Working dogs	Very loud and weather-resistant
ALPHA 210.5	6200 Hz	up to 1.5 km	Calm, closer range	Spaniels	Modernized 210.5 design, improved clarity
ALPHA 211.5	5700 Hz	up to 1.5 km	Wide open terrain	Retrievers	Modernized 211.5, better reach and tone
Shepherd’s Lip Whistle	Variable	Depends on technique	Rural pastures, hills	Herding breeds	Traditional shepherd whistle, requires skill

 Which whistle should you choose?

• If your dog works close to you and you’re in calm environments, the 210.5 (or the updated ALPHA 210.5) is a great option.

• For open fields or when you need long-distance communication, choose the 211.5 or ALPHA 211.5.

• If you often walk in forests or uneven terrain, the 212 Pro Trialler performs better in complex acoustic environments.

• In cities or areas where silence is preferred, try the 535 Silent Whistle – just remember that you might not hear it yourself.

• In windy, noisy, or chaotic conditions, the Thunderer 560 can help your signal stand out thanks to its loud and sharp tone.

• Want full sound control and variety? The Shepherd’s Lip Whistle lets you create custom sounds with skill – but it takes practice.

A properly chosen whistle can be heard by your dog up to 1.5 km away under good conditions. But a dog in full prey drive can cover that distance very quickly – even at just 10 m/s, that’s 1500 meters in 2.5 minutes. And he might still be running.

Our full setup: Garmin Alpha 300i for long-distance signal control, and the ACME 211.5 for everything closer. One for tech, one for instinct

What can we do then?

Right now, we’re still learning to read Mrok. We know that when he locks onto a strong stimulus – like a deer – he can “switch off” everything else. That’s the critical moment. A few seconds later he usually slows down, and after a few hundred meters he starts turning back – and that’s when he begins responding again.

Of course, we’re trying to reduce the risk of triggering hunting or chasing behaviors at all. That’s going to take time.

Garmin Alpha 300i – our backup plan when the whistle isn’t enough. Reliable, precise, and always within reach

What if Mrok gets more than 1.5–2 km away?

We’ve started experimenting with using the sound signal from Mrok’s tracking collar as a recall. We can trigger the sound from the Garmin Alpha 300i unit, which is linked to his collar.

Right now, we use both the whistle and the collar. Eventually, we might switch fully to the collar’s sound.

Mrok’s collar – Garmin Alpha T20 with GPS and audio signal. Rugged, reliable, and ready for any chase

The benefit? As long as we have signal, we can send the sound – in open terrain, up to 10 km. In the mountains, we’ve managed about 4 km.

...and proof that the collar doesn’t get in Mrok’s way. When he wants to roll, he rolls

And that’s how we’ll spend the coming months – building this new form of communication together.

If it proves successful – we’ll definitely tell you more.