Whistles. What do you use and

[Guest pax]

I was given a plastic whistle by my husband, as a stocking stuffer at Christmas. It was a token of encouragement!

 

I couldn't make a sound with the thing and put it down on a shelf and ignored it until the other day, when I was cleaning and moved it and my 5 yo wandered up and swiped it. Two minutes later I'm hearing all kinds of whistles coming out of the play room.

 

Poor kid, I went down there and watched her for a minutes and then literally pulled her lips apart, trying to figure out how she was doing it. When I finally got it back and dried it out I found I was able to make noise. All kinds of new and interesting noise.

 

 

 

I'd like to order another whistle and I'm wondering what's out there and what everybody likes. I'd be especially interested to know whether there's a lot of difference in whistles in terms of tone. I'm asking this because I'm having a hard time getting lower tones, I just get sputter. Is that something that might come with practice or is it just I don't have a resonant enough whistle?

[Pipedream Farm]

Celia,

 

There are a few of shapes and several materials (stainless steel, aluminum, sterling silver, nickel silver, plastic, buffalo horn, corian, and brass) used to make whistles. Often the material will dictate the thickness (softer material = thicker). Some whistles are made of one piece while others are several pieces pressed (riveted) together. I find that I don\'t like the taste of some materials (i.e. buffalo horn & brass). Some find certain shapes don't work/fit well in their mouth. This can be a process of trying several until you find a shape and material you like.

 

I don't like the taste of brass or buffalo horn.

 

Mark

 

Whistles

[airbear]

I used to use a metal whistle, but was told by the set-out folks at one trial that they could barely hear my whistles (and it was only a 300 yard set). The next day,a friend brought me a lovely purple plastic whistle, which definitely carries better (for me, anyways). Now when my dog ignores my whistles, I know it's not because he can't hear them!

 

I played flute for 6 or so years, so making a noise wasn't much of a problem. Making a noise under stress and confusion is another story - it generally blows as a "SQUACCCKK", but I don't think that's the whistle's fault.

 

To make the lower noises, I think of it like I'm trying to blow sounds with a pop bottle. I find the lower notes a bit harder to blow (especially a short flank) but with practice, it's getting better. Most of my practice is done whistling "O Canada" on my drive home. This draws strange looks from the drivers of the cars around me, but it's better than torturing my dog.

 

I might get another metal whistle, as I think they are cleaner (I can boil them if they fall into something gross), and my metal one didn't get as full as spit as my plastic one does. I've been wanting a baby blaster, but they're always sold out.

[stockdogranch]

It's definitely a personal thing. Just try different ones, and see what works best for you. The tones are slightly different with each material, and each will feel better or worse in your mouth (and there's the taste thing, too, that Mark mentioned). I've had a sterling silver one (custom made, so it's super thin) for 10 years, so that's what I'm used to, and everything else feels really "fat" to me. I have a friend who loves the buffalo horn, and another who thinks the brass is the best thing going. I also know someone who feels the tones are best when the whistle is cold, so he stands at the post with his whistles soaking in a cup of ice (for real). Anyway, have fun trying out different ones...

Anna

[Rebecca, Irena Farm]

I liked my classic metal whistle OK but I still like my plastic the best. The cold of the metal's a bit of a shock when you are not thinking about it of a frosty morn.

 

I've had a chance to try horn and corian. The horn was OK but not worth the price, in my book. The corian was like having a chunk of rock in my mouth, ick.

 

I'm still hoping my finger whistling ability will emerge against all expectation. Hope springs eternal, and all that - I keep trying.

[mjk05]

I use a greenstone whistle, which I love. Haven't ever tried any metal varieties, but the greenstone was easier for me as a beginner than the plastic. Plus I can wear it around my neck all the time, people at work think its a pendant. Expensive though.

[Black Watch Debatable]

Ooooh, greenstone. I want.

 

I have used/tried a bunch of different whistles over the years. I like my buffalo horn whistle [from Ray Coapman] so much I got extras. To me it has a very clear, "clean" sound, and it's easy to hit the high notes. When I try to get a decent noise from some of the metal styles, I sound like Daffy Duck.

 

My old fave, for many years, was the metal whistle sold by Chuck O'Reilly (I think --- it's in the truck). My Bracken won a sterling whistle at an ASCA trial (for high combined score on cattle and sheep --- we were still running Novice/Novice in the border collie trials that summer, IIRC). The whistle looks great, but I never use it, since I can't hit those high notes on it. And I sound especially lame on the plastic ones.

 

Definitely gonna try that cup-of-ice technique.

[mjk05]

If anyone does want a greenstone whistle (even just as a piece of jewellery), I could try to rustle some up. One of the triallers here gets them from NZ, I think, so I could at least find out where she orders them from. I think they cost AUS$70, which probably isn't that bad with the current exchange rate.

 

ETA:

This is like the one I use, but mine wasn't that expensive:

Jade dog whistle

 

This one is cheap, but I'm not sure it works!

Jade pendant/whistle

 

Greenstone is supposed to be given as a gift (bad luck to buy it for yourself)- and interestingly, the first one I bought broke its chain and was lost just weeks after I got it. My OH gave me his own one, and I've had it for ages. So maybe there's something in that?

[Marilyn T]

Unfortunately unless you have a friend that has all styles to try out, you will develop a fine collection of whistles. Almost everyone starts out with the $2.00 plastic. Some stay with it. Easy to find a replacement when you bite through and need a new one. It is pretty thick though, and after a while I found it uncomfortable. Buffalo horn or corion didn't suit me, it felt a bit thick for my use, but of course I had to try them. Metal has various sounds, thickness, and feel/taste in your mouth. You will need to try them to see what you like and are comfortable with. ALERT! If you live in a colder climate like I do, beware of getting the metal whistle frozen onto your tongue or lip in the winter. Not really nice! I have had it happen a couple of times. The Brass does carry sounds further for the long courses or on a windy day, but are a bit of overkill for smaller courses. (I feel it is kind of like shouting all commands, and might make a sensitive dog cring a bit up close) Some whistles are for the smaller mouth, and I find they slip out, or I have to pinch my mouth in at the corners to close off the air leaks. Some shapes will or won't work for you personally. Some end up working but being very heavy and distracting. When you do find the whistle you love, get two, so you have a replacement if you lose it or it breaks or gets run over by your truck and squashed. My personal fave that I keep coming back to after trying out a new style is the Dave Murray Sidewinder in light aluminum. The lanyard hooks up to a neck so it is out of the way, and you have a stem to hold on to to blow out spit if necessary on course. I also have his version in Brass for long distance. The brass version can be found at Border Collies in Action. I needed to have the brass one machined to round out the sharp edges and make the neck small enough for a whistle lanyard hook, however my whistles can be heard 700 yards away on a windy day! Enjoy shopping.

[Pipedream Farm]

Marilyn,

 

I've wondered (from time to time) if the source of the volume of the brass whistles is not so much due to the material but the details of the shape (size and taper of the holes, thickness of plates, gap between plates, etc) which is partly a consequence of the material (softness). I have a brass blaster and did not find it louder than my other metal whistle (as perceived by the other handler during a session of tag). This lack of improvement, for me, may be related to how I interact with the various whistle shapes.

 

Mark

[Marilyn T]

All I know is I have two whistles, same manufacturer, same shape, etc. One is brass, one is shaped aluminum. A friend holding sheep for me told me that she heard my brass whistle much better than the regular one at quite a distance (a friend's 300 acre farm) and seriously better in windy conditions. I THINK I can tell a difference in the reactions of the dogs too, better reactions to brass in windy or distance conditions. I can't say with conviction that they are EXACTLY the same regarding gap, etc, but they seem exactly the same shape, fit to mouth and hole boring. Maybe it is a figment of my imagination, but I use the brass for big courses, and change to the aluminum for the drive and closer work. (I hang both around my neck). Seems to improve my game. Marilyn

[Pipedream Farm]

Marilyn,

 

If it works for you, great go with it. Pehaps the shape of my brass blaster is not ideal for me, who knows. I also get a bad taste from brass, probably due to a reaction between my fillings and the brass.

 

Mark

[Marilyn T]

Hehehe... maybe you should go to all composit resin fillings Wow.. what will we not do to help our handling/trialing?????

[Pipedream Farm]

My dentist is doing that, as the old amalgam fillings fall apart he is replacing them with composite.

 

Mark

[Overlook]

Good analysis Marilyn...

 

I will add my two cents..i agree Buffalo taste like a fingernail in your mouth...not good .

 

I used plastic in the beginning...after a number of years and windy conditions, etc. I came to realize that this whistle did not produce a sharp enough sound. Bought Corian...too slippery in my mouth (or I salivate alot?) couldn't hold on to it. But the stainless steel..yuck. Mom had a silver one made--okay but heavy. Thought about having a gold one made (from some scrap I have) but haven't done it.

 

Purchased an Aluminum (A) from Francis Raley--ABSOLUTELY love this whistle. It is triangular in shape..no tearing at the corners of your mouth, very lightweight, no sticking in cold whether and best of all makes clean whistles. I HIGHLY recommend it. Now the only time my dog doesn't hear his whistles....is when he so chooses...and that is another thread

 

Debbie B

[Guest pax]

It might not be your fillings, Mark, we use copper and brass bits on the horses because they cause salivation. The idea is it produces a more sensitive mouth. And they don't have any fillings.

 

 

Where are y'all getting custom made whistles?

 

Those jade ones are lovely. I left that screen up on the puter in the family long enough that even my absent minded professor ought to have gotten the hint.

 

Now, another question (if anybody is still reading this thread!)....

 

I bought an Alasdair McCrae cd and it's very interesting but a bit more advanced than I need at the moment. I need the Keep it Simple, Stupid practicum. Is there anywhere on the web I might be able to find wav files or something with just basic.. "come by", "away to me", "that'll do", etc? Or, I can buy another CD, but does anyone know which one is the "Whistling for Dummies"?

 

And I've finally figured out how to keep from drooling down the lanyard. For a while there, I needed a bib.

[juliepoudrier]

Where are y'all getting custom made whistles?

 

I got mine from Dave Arnold in Kansas, but I don't know if he's even making them anymore, so I'm holding tight to the two I have.

 

I bought an Alasdair McCrae cd and it's very interesting but a bit more advanced than I need at the moment. I need the Keep it Simple, Stupid practicum. Is there anywhere on the web I might be able to find wav files or something with just basic.. "come by", "away to me", "that'll do", etc? Or, I can buy another CD, but does anyone know which one is the "Whistling for Dummies"?

 

Try Kent Kuykendall's CD. You can get it from Border Collies in Action. It's more basic than Alasdair's and quite useful for the novice whistler.

 

J.

[Guest pax]

I got mine from Dave Arnold in Kansas, but I don't know if he's even making them anymore, so I'm holding tight to the two I have.

Try Kent Kuykendall's CD. You can get it from Border Collies in Action. It's more basic than Alasdair's and quite useful for the novice whistler.

 

J.

 

 

Thanks. I just clicked on it,.... "add to cart".. : )

 

I love net shopping.

[Pipedream Farm]

Celia,

 

Your first set of whistles are already set (probably), Starr comes with a set and it may not make sense to change hers at this point in her life. We can work on them this weekend if you'd like.

 

Mark

[Guest pax]

Oh no, of course I need to learn to do it her way!

 

If I'm going to whistle anywhere near you, you might want to wear your raincoat. And all I can do reliably are the "hot stuff" and "hey YOU" whistles you hear going down the street.

 

The problem I had with the Alasdair McCrae cd was this...although he explains why he whistles what he whistles, and he gives alternatives and demonstrations on different whistles, and he talks about all kinds of scenarios and how they might effect your choices, all of which is fabulous stuff to think about, he never says, "This is a 'come bye' basic.

 

So now although I know not to use the same commands for two different dogs in case I want to do doubles, I have no idea how to blow "LIE DOWN!" Do you get points off for swapping between voice and whistle in Baby Baby Novice? (You can't talk to your horse in the ring at a horse show!)

[SoloRiver]

If anyone does want a greenstone whistle (even just as a piece of jewellery), I could try to rustle some up. One of the triallers here gets them from NZ, I think, so I could at least find out where she orders them from. I think they cost AUS$70, which probably isn't that bad with the current exchange rate.

 

ETA:

This is like the one I use, but mine wasn't that expensive:

Jade dog whistle

 

 

Ooh, I want one!

 

I bookmarked this website because not only do I want a jade whistle, EVERYTHING on that site is to die for. I have several months free to hint around before my birthday.

[SoloRiver]

Black jade shepherd's whistle:

 

http://www.jadegallery.co.nz/black_jade.htm

 

(beware, drop dead gorgeous jewelry on this site)

[juliepoudrier]

Celia,

Oh my--I don't think you have to worry yourself about brace work just yet, so if it's easier for you by all means use the same whistles on all your dogs. It certainly eliminates the need to remember different sets of whistles for different dogs under pressure. Kat came with a different set of whistles and I didn't bother to change them, but in moments of brain freeze, it can be a bit comical!

 

The best advice WRT to whistles is to find a set that works for you (i.e., that you can blow easily and consistently) and go with them. Later when you're a dog handling superstar you can add all the fancy stuff. I can tell you nothing is worse than having whistles that are personally difficult for you to blow.

 

ETA: Anyone know what the conversion to $American is on the jade whistles? (I apparently don't have java enabled.) Just dreaming...especially since the $$ would be better spent on sheep or a sheep trailer.

 

J.

[SoloRiver]

1 NZD = $1.438 USD

[Guest pax]

Celia,

Oh my--I don't think you have to worry yourself about brace work just yet, so if it's easier for you by all means use the same whistles on all your dogs. It certainly eliminates the need to remember different sets of whistles for different dogs under pressure.

 

Oh trust me, I am SURE I don't have to worry about brace work yet. My triumph this weekend was wading into the flock and being able to pick up a lamb. I was so thrilled with myself Mark had to tell me, "Ok, you can put it down now." In fact, I think he had to tell me *twice*.

 

The best advice WRT to whistles is to find a set that works for you (i.e., that you can blow easily and consistently) and go with them. Later when you're a dog handling superstar you can add all the fancy stuff. I can tell you nothing is worse than having whistles that are personally difficult for you to blow.

 

Well, I just ordered a Silver Moon and a Brass Mini-Blaster, in addition to a bagful of plastic ones so my kid will stop swiping mine. So I guess I will end up with a collection, too. On the cd I have it talks about finger whistlers being more expressive, and I'd probably agree, but I know I wouldn't want to be putting my hands in my mouth after a day in the barn.

 

ETA: Anyone know what the conversion to $American is on the jade whistles? (I apparently don't have java enabled.) Just dreaming...especially since the $$ would be better spent on sheep or a sheep trailer.

 

J.

 

 

I don't know, but I e mailed them and asked about shipping to the U.S. and payment exchange. I'd be happy to let you know what they send back to me. Generally when I buy something from overseas, Bank of America handles the exchange rate on my end, I just plug it into my banking on line dealie, and they pay Bank of NZ or whatever in ...*flummoxed moment* New Zealand dollars, I guess.

 

Anyway, I'll post their response when I get it.