Are dog whistles more effective for certain types of training than others (e.g. control barking vs. getting them to sit)?
A dog whistle can be used in a variety of different ways. It is most commonly paired with recall training, as it is more distinct and discreet than a human’s voice. However, the dog whistle can be used to stop barking, train basic obedience, or even modify specific behaviors.
Remember: without proper training, the dog whistle is just another sound in the world. Just like with other sounds, they will become desensitized to it and learn to ignore it over time, if not used properly!
What is a dog whistle and do you need one?
When most people think of a dog whistle, they immediately think of the silent kind that only dogs can hear. Truth be told, this is perhaps the least common type of whistle used with dogs.
Most dog whistles create a loud sound that can be clearly heard. Similar to a referee’s whistle.
By blowing into the whistle, you can create unique sounds. With training, your dog will associate the different sounds with commands.
For example, a long blow from the whistle can tell your dog to sit while two short bursts will let her know to return.
Many expert dog trainers and hunters rely on dog whistles. And, it’s easy to see why. Using a whistle to issue commands has a number of advantages over using your voice.
1. Save your voice – After a long day of yelling commands at my dog, my voice becomes hoarse and raspy. Puffing on a whistle is much less straining.
2. Sounds unique – There is no mistaking the blow of a whistle. Your dog won’t confuse the command with another.
3. The sound carries – Even if your dog is running off into the distance, the blast from a whistle can easily be heard. Good luck yelling that far!
4. Use in any weather – The sound of a dog whistle is loud enough to overcome wind, rain and crashing waves.
As you probably guessed, the above features make the whistle a perfect tool to recall your dog. The unique sound travels and can be heard from long distances, so your dog will come running no matter how far away she is.
Hunters often use whistles for their gun dogs. The clear, crisp sound can be heard through trees and over bad weather.
Now, dog whistles are by no means an essential doggy product. After all, your voice can also issue commands.
But if you feel you would benefit from any of the above advantages that a dog whistle offers, grab a dog whistle.
Want to train your dog with a clicker instead? Check out our guide on the best dog clickers.
Note: Dog whistles are loud. With the exception of silent dog whistles, all the whistles we tested were. Any long-term exposure to loud sounds can damage your hearing. While a casual dog owner likely won’t use a whistle often enough to cause major damage, we recommend ear protection when using dog training whistles.
How do I get my neighbors dog to shut up?
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make that pup clam up and get the peace and quiet you need without being a jerk.
Do dog whistles work?
Even though many of us pet parents have loved dogs for our whole lives, few of us have actually used a dog whistle before. What are dog whistles, exactly? What do people use them for? Do they whip dogs into a frenzy like in cartoons?
A dog whistle, known also as a silent or Galton’s whistle — after inventor Francis Galton — is a high-pitched whistle generally used for dog training. The sound it emits comes from what is known as the ultrasonic range, a pitch that is so high humans can’t hear it.
Dogs can hear these sounds, however, as can cats and other animals. Because of this, the dog whistle is a favored training tool, though it may not be for every dog parent. Here’s what you should know about dog whistles.
Dog whistles are most commonly used during dog training. You will often see them coupled with clickers and treats to signal to a dog that they have performed a task correctly.
The noise they make will likely grab a dog’s attention, but they will not usually make dogs go wild like you may see in cartoons or movies.
The type of dog whistle a person uses doesn’t matter that much. While the most commonly used are physical whistles, you can also use digital ones. I actually have a dog whistle app on my phone!
Training with a dog whistle, like all other forms of dog training, will take time. But it can be one of the most successful forms of communicating with your dog when you want them to perform a certain behavior or task.
While many pet parents enjoy the directness whistle training provides, this method also helps with other dog activities as well.
Many canine sporting events and competitions utilize silent whistles to communicate to dogs when to go and when to stop. You will see this a lot in sheepdog competitions where whistle commands instruct the dogs on what to do. These whistles are usually not “silent” whistles, but their purpose is more or less the same.
The silent whistle is employed with hunting dogs or gun dogs, as well, since the range of frequency that hunting dogs can hear at is higher than many animals.
This is the most important question. Unfortunately, like with all other training techniques, that answer can only be given as a “maybe.”
Every dog is different, and some simply don’t respond to a whistle command the same way another might to voice or treats.
It’s best to know your dog when you proceed with this method of training. Don’t dismiss training your dog completely if they don’t take to the whistle. Try another method until you find one that works for your individual pooch.