In recent years, dog whistles have become one of the most popular tools for dog training and communication. Many pet owners today rely on dog whistles to help train their dogs, or to give them simple commands. But are dog whistles really effective, and do they actually help make training easier? In this blog post, we will discuss the various pros and cons of using dog whistles for training, and explore whether or not they can be an effective tool for dog owners. We will also look at the different types of dog whistles, and consider which type of whistle might be best suited for your particular dog. We will also provide some tips and advice on how to use a dog whistle correctly, in order to get the best results. Finally, we will discuss some of the potential drawbacks of using dog whistles, and why some pet owners may choose to avoid them altogether. By the end of this post, you should have a better understanding of the potential benefits and drawbacks of using
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Being a good dog parent includes training your pet, which has many advantages like socialization and obedience. A dog whistle might be a good option for you and your dog if you’re looking to incorporate a training tool.
However, as a pet owner, you might have questions like: How does a dog whistle work, Do dog whistles hurt dogs ears, and What are the Benefits of Using a Whistle?
For centuries, people have used whistles to train and communicate with dogs. Before that, humans used the traditional method of whistling with their breath to converse with their dogs. As with verbal commands, clicker training for “sit” and “stay,” or playing fetch, you can use a whistle to “talk” to your dog and establish a routine.
Dogs respond to even the quietest of whistles because they hear at a much higher frequency than humans. “Dogs and people hear about the same at low frequencies of sound (around 20Hz). This changes at high frequencies of sound, where dogs hear up to 70-100kHz, much better than people at only 20kHz,” say scientists at the University of Adelaide in Australia, and dogs “hear sound frequencies at least three times as high compared to people.” It may seem as if dogs react to a noise thats not there when, in reality, theyre highly sensitive to something we cant hear.
You may have to try out a few different types of whistles to see which one offers you the range of sounds you (and your dog) prefer. Start by learning how to use the whistle properly (practice, practice, practice), and then play around with the sounds to figure out which tones will work for which commands.
There are two types of whistles available: audible and silent, where “silent” here refers to silence for humans only, not for dogs. Some whistles are equipped with adjustable pitches, too.
When determining the sounds you want to use and making sure you’re being consistent, audible whistles are helpful. This design is used during herding dog competitions even though it resembles a whistle used at sporting events.
Many dog parents prefer silent whistles because theres less noise interference for people. This type of whistle, invented in 1876 by Sir Francis Galton, was used to test hearing levels in humans, cats and dogs. The term “ultrasonic whistle” is more accurate because, as noted above, the whistle isnt silent — it emits ultrasonic sounds to which dogs respond. According to researchers at Psychology Today, the advantage of this type of whistle is that these sound signals travel farther than the human voice and, therefore, can reach dogs at farther distances.
Acme 212 Pro TriallerBest Dog Training Whistle
Over 21 different whistles were tested and reviewed in our quest to find the best. We spent a lot of time narrowing them down to the top 5 whistles for dogs.
I begin by sharing the ideal dog training whistle with the general public. Then I share our top picks for those seeking something more specialized, including wilderness whistles and even an extra loud choice.
It’s simple to understand why many seasoned dog trainers, including Martin Deeley, owner of the Florida Dog Training School, favor the Acme 212 Pro Trailer whistle. It’s the perfect whistle for dog training.
It’s crucial that the sound remains constant when using a whistle instead of a clicker as a training marker. Hearing the same sound makes it easier for your dog to connect the whistle’s sound with the behavior you are teaching it to perform.
No matter how hard or softly you blow on the Acme 212 whistle, it will always produce the same sound and medium pitch because of its pealess construction. Naturally, blowing louder makes it audible from a farther distance, but the tone remained constant throughout the distance Perfect for recall training!.
The whistle is loud, but not obnoxiously so. And that’s exactly why it’s the ideal whistle for training at close range. Compared to the extreme volume of louder dog whistles, it is less painful to the ears.
However, when we were testing in a wide field, the tone was clearly audible over the wind. Unsurprisingly, even our hard-of-hearing Beagle tester could hear it and respond when we blew this whistle.
Despite being entirely made of plastic, the Acme 212 is very sturdy. I dropped and stepped on it accidentally while testing it, but it was unharmed. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Like all of their whistles, Acme creates high-quality goods, and this one is made in the UK.
I strongly advise selecting a whistle that is brightly colored and is available in a variety of colors. The orange 212 we tested could not be lost; the vivid orange hue could be seen clearly in the grass.
The Acme 212 can be attached to a lanyard using the ring at the base of the whistle. You will have to purchase a lanyard separately. But don’t put it off; doing so will keep the whistle easily accessible during training.
The Acme 212 Pro Trailer is the best option if you want to whistle-train your dog.
It might come as a surprise to you to learn that you’ll need a louder whistle if you intend to train your Retriever in the woods.
Even though the open field at your local dog park is noisier, sound simply doesn’t travel as well in the woods. You have to contend with tall trees, the sound of the wind and rain, and rushing streams.
Thankfully, one pealess training whistle was an expert at making the loudest sound in the world.
The Fox 40 CMG Mini
The Fox 40 whistle used by referees in the NBA and NFL has been upgraded into the Fox 40 CMG Mini. CMG stands for cushioned mouth grip. Long-term use of the whistle is made more comfortable by the mouth grip, which also shields the plastic whistle from bite marks.
The Fox 40 CMG Mini has a smaller mouthpiece than the Fox 40 CMG, which is important to note. Nine out of our ten testers found the Mini’s slightly smaller mouthpiece to be easier to hold and blow, which is why we recommend it.
Despite its diminutive size, this whistle is loud. The Fox 40 CMG Mini produces an intense, high-pitch whistle. When blown, the whistle’s shrill reverberates throughout the forest and can be heard from over blinds when you can’t see your dog.
Many owners we spoke to praised this whistle for being audible over howling winds and crashing waves. This whistle is for you if you have trouble being heard over the weather.
In the Upstate New York woods, I put the whistle to the test. When running in the water on a windy day, our Labrador Retriever testers were able to hear only a few whistles; the Fox 40 CMG Mini would be ideal for duck dogs.
Because there are no moving parts, even in subfreezing temperatures, the tone produced is constant. And if you live in a state with a lot of rain, you’ll be happy to know that the Fox 40 CMG Mini can be blown even when it’s wet. However, in the rain, our dogs’ ability to hear the whistle was significantly diminished.
Closer to home, at the neighborhood park next to a busy highway, one could clearly hear the Fox 40 CMG Mini whistle.
You shouldn’t be surprised to learn that this whistle isn’t the best choice if your dog is easily startled. Additionally, if you blow it in populated areas, your neighbors will complain about it.
However, no other dog training whistle does it better than the Fox 40 CMG Mini for overcoming loud noises and dense bushland.
The Acme 535 was an easy winner. This is the only all-metal silent dog whistle on the market that was made in England and is constructed to last. This silent whistle is made of rust-resistant brass with a nickel plating, so you can use it for many years.
It’s important to note that the Acme 535 makes some noise, just like all silent dog whistles. It appears that the sound was perceived differently by each of our whistleblowing testers. Some people heard what they thought was air escaping, like when you blow through a straw. Some people heard a very faint whistling noise, similar to when a teapot first begins to boil.
Nevertheless, all of the testers concurred that the Acme 535 was virtually undetectable from a distance greater than a few yards. The Acme 535 was the only whistle I could test in my apartment that my neighbors couldn’t hear through the walls.
The whistle’s frequency can be changed from 5,800 Hz to 12,400 Hz. This is done by twisting the base of the whistle. As the whistle extends, the frequency gets louder. You’ll eventually discover the ideal pitch for your dog, though it might take some trial and error.
I found that longer distances benefited more from the higher pitch. I was amazed at how well the sound traveled out in the open. My dog could hear the whistle from 550 yards away on a calm day.
Windier days dramatically reduced the range. It appears that a silent dog whistle’s sound doesn’t travel as far in strong winds. My dog wouldn’t respond at any distance farther than 50 yards on one particularly windy day.
This renders the Acme 535 unsuitable for long-distance recall while hunting, as you might have guessed. However, it’s ideal for dog training in a wider area or in close quarters. Every time we blew this silent whistle, all of our canine testers ran. Well, all except one….
Molly, an elderly Beagle, is partially deaf. Unfortunately, she simply wouldn’t respond regardless of how hard we blew or which pitch we used. They were all loud enough for Molly to hear, so I would suggest picking another one of our suggested whistles if your dog has hearing impairment.
During testing, my inner child came out. While dogs were being walked on the opposite side of the street, I couldn’t resist blowing this whistle. All dogs reacted when I blew on the whistle.
The reactions were mixed. While others began frantically barking and pulling in the direction of the sound, some immediately turned to face me. The owner assumed their dog was acting inappropriately because they couldn’t hear the whistle. Now that I think about it, I feel bad for the dogs, so I don’t suggest imitating my foolish actions.
In order to prevent loss, the whistle also has a protective cap that is chained to the base. When not in use, the cap prevents the whistle from gunking up and keeps the mouthpiece clean and hygienic. This whistle is going in your mouth after all, so this feature is helpful.
The cap snaps on like the lid of a marker. The Acme 535 now resembles a bracelet when the cap is connected, and you can loop it around your dog training pouch or attach it to your keychain to keep the silent whistle close at hand.
The Rolls Royce of silent dog whistles is the Acme 535. This is the best whistle you can buy for your dog if you want one that is silent. Highly recommended.
We weren’t surprised to learn that hunters favored the Acme Thunderer. This whistle is frequently used to train pointing dogs and retrieving gun dogs.
What did surprise us is which Acme Thunderer whistle everyone liked the most. I was confident it would be the Acme Thunderer 60. Its all-metal design made it extra-durable while the shiny finish made it easy to locate if dropped in the woods.
Almost every hunter we spoke to preferred the plastic variety. In particular, the small Acme Thunderer 560. And, all our testers agreed.
It turns out that holding the plastic versions in the mouth is much more comfortable. When you bite into metal, there is a peculiar sensation that arises. Not to mention that it isn’t enjoyable at all to press your lips against cold metal in a cold climate.
But the Acme 560 really shines when it comes to the variety of sounds that it can produce. Inside the whistle chamber sits a pea. You can produce a variety of sounds by blowing more or less forcefully or longer or shorter bursts of air.
This enables you to command a hunting dog who has received proper training by simply blowing a whistle at it. For instance, “sit” is signified by a short trill, “recall” by three quick blasts, and “turn” by a long trill. ”.
The Acme Thunderer 560 was one of the easiest to trill, according to our testers, out of all the whistles.
This whistle is known as the Thunderer for a reason, so I guess that tells you how loud it is. It was the loudest pea whistle we tested, easily audible even in the thick forest.
It is important to note that the Acme Thunderer 560 is ineffective in extremely cold climates. Your saliva may cause the pea inside the whistle to freeze in place on blustery days. When this happens, blowing won’t make a whistling noise.
The Thunderer 560, like all Acme Whistles, is produced in the UK. The whistle feels sturdy and will last for years to come despite being made of plastic, provided you don’t lose it first.
I should also point out that if dropped in the woods, the black plastic is hard to see. However, this can be easily fixed by purchasing a lanyard in a vibrant color.
The Acme Thunderer 560 is the best hunting whistle available today if you want something that can produce a variety of sounds.
At first, I didn’t believe the advertising. Loudest whistle? Yeah right, we’ll see about that….
I blew the storm whistle in my apartment, which was a mistake. The sound it produced was deafening. I managed to frighten my own puppy and every other dog in the entire apartment complex, and they all started barking.
This whistle is aggressively loud!
In fact, it outperformed every other whistle in our test of loudness!
I’ll be honest with you: Most of you won’t ever need this whistle because it is so loud. A whistle this loud should only be used for extremely long-distance recall because it can be heard from miles away.
If you don’t own any land or your dog doesn’t frequently roam far, take a look at my earlier suggestions. When training dogs up close, where a whistle this loud could startle them, they are significantly more convenient.
But if you want loud, then this is it. I had my husband blow this 1. 5 miles into a trail hike. My dog and I could both clearly hear the noise it made. It’s incredible how well this whistle transmits sound.
The sound pierces through all other noises. Nature cannot compete with the thunderous sound that the Storm Whistle produces despite wind, rain, and noisy birds. This whistle is excellent for long-distance recall because it can be heard above all other noises.
One dog owner we spoke with in rural Nebraska who uses this whistle religiously She uses it to call her dogs back when they wander into the nearby woods. When it’s time for dinner, she blows the whistle a couple of times, and they come running; occasionally, they are so far away that it takes them a few minutes to get to her.
If you want loud, then the Storm Whistle delivers. From a great distance, your dog will be able to hear you.
As with any loud dog whistle, ear protection is highly advised.
At-A-Glance: Our Top Picks
When training your dog to obey your commands, especially in noisy or far-off environments, a dog whistle can be an excellent tool. Dog training whistles can be used for a variety of everyday purposes, including teaching your dog to stop barking, recall, correct undesirable behaviors, and herding, hunting, and police dog training.
Dog whistles come in two basic varieties: audible and silent.
Many people believe that using an audible whistle is preferable because you can clearly hear the whistle blasts. There are some audible dog whistles that have a ball inside of them (referred to as a pea or pearl) that you can use to create more distinct sounds like trills. If you want to assign commands to different sounds rather than just the frequency of whistle blows, this can be useful. It’s crucial to note that the pea freezes in cold weather, rendering the whistle ineffective.
Higher “ultrasonic” frequencies, which are loud and simple for dogs to hear, are used in silent dog whistles. Although using a silent dog whistle in a dog park or around people may be preferable, you should be aware that most silent whistles aren’t completely silent for humans. They simply aren’t as loud as audible whistles to the human ear.
Based on each whistle’s quality and performance as well as user reviews, we’ve selected our top picks.
FAQ
Do dog whistles annoy dogs?
Use A Whistle Or Noise Emitter A dog whistle emits a sound that is not harmful to humans or other dogs but will annoy any dog that can hear it due to its high frequency. Blow the whistle when the neighbor’s dog starts barking.
Do dog whistles attract or repel dogs?
Dog whistles are most commonly used during dog training. They are frequently used in conjunction with clickers and treats to let dogs know when they have completed a task correctly. Although the noise they make is likely to attract a dog’s attention, they rarely cause dogs to run riot as you might see in cartoons or movies.
How far are dog whistles effective?
Dog whistles will produce tones with a frequency of 23,000 to 54,000 Hz. This frequency range goes far beyond what the average person can hear. Despite slight variations in type, most dogs can hear a dog whistle from about 400 yards away.
Are dog whistles effective to stop barking?
Dog training whistles can be used for a variety of everyday purposes, including teaching your dog to stop barking, recall, correct undesirable behaviors, and herding, hunting, and police dog training.