As a trainer, I’ve come to value dog whistles. They’re seen as both useful and harmful, but I believe with proper use, dog whistles are highly effective training tools. In this post, we will talk about the proper way to utilize a dog whistle as well as which products are the best quality.
Let’s take an in-depth look at the world of dog whistles…
Choose The Best Whistle for needs:
Top 9 dog whistles
Ortz Dog Whistle to Stop Barking
Our Rating:
3.3/5
Price Range: $
The Ortz Dog Whistle to Stop Barking is adjustable to multiple frequencies. We chose this whistle as one of our favorite picks because you can find the perfect frequency to get your dog’s attention if you’re a beginner. Or you can use different frequencies and patterns to teach multiple commands if you’re a seasoned whistle trainer.
Better yet, the Ortz Dog Whistle comes with a free lanyard strap and protective cover! Keep that whistle around your neck so you can focus on training and not juggling a tiny whistle between your busy hands. Prevent your whistle from getting clogged with dirt or scratched when you’re not using it.
The Ortz Guarantee gives you the right to contact Ortz with any issues your come across. Simply contact the company and they’ll make it right, either with a refund or the shipment of a replacement unit at no cost to you. No questions asked!
What We Like About It
- Humans are able to hear the whistle. If you’re a beginner user, you’ll be able to hear if you’re making clear, loud tweets.
- The adjustable frequency gave us a range of options. We tested the various frequencies to see which would get our dog’s attention the best and chose that one as our recall frequency.
- With proper training and a bit of persistence, we were able to teach our Chihuahua to stop barking at the sound of the whistle. So, if it works on a Chihuahua, it could work on nearly any barking dog!
What We Don't Like
- The whistle didn’t come with an instruction book, so it may be difficult for beginner users who’ve never trained with a whistle to the hang of it. We must understand that dog whistle training won’t be an overnight success. We must learn the techniques and be persistent.
A quick tip from the Trainer
Use treats or kibble when training! Dogs are highly food motivated. They’re more likely to do what you want if they get rewarded with tasty morsels.
Erligpowht Professional Dog Whistle
Our Rating:
3.3/5
Price Range: $
The Erligpowht dog whistle also has an adjustable frequency for people who need to find the pitch that works, or for people who use multiple frequencies for multiple commands. The ultrasonic sounds emitted from this whistle will get your dog’s attention without hurting their ears. (Remember, though, if your dog shows fear of the noise, don’t use the whistle.)
The Erligpowht whistles come in a 2 pack, both with lanyards. We loved that you get 2 whistles for an affordable price. That allowed 2 beginner whistlers to train the dog without…ahem…swapping spit.
The small size and stainless-steel material make the whistle easy to carry (and hard to lose, thanks to the lanyard) while lasting forever without rusting or disintegrating.
And if you’re not happy with the Erligpowht whistle for any reason, just contact the company and they’ll send a replacement or a full refund. Customer service promises to respond to your request in just 24 hours.
What We Like About It
- You get 2 whistles with lanyards for a very affordable price. For the bargain hunters out there like me, this is a great deal.
- It’s tunable if you pull the black piece off and lock the solid tuning knob into place. You can find the specific frequency that works best and lock in in place.
- We tested this whistle on a talkative German Shepherd who loves to let the neighborhood know when a human walks past the house. A few days of training with this whistle and it got his attention and reminded him to be quiet.
What We Don't Like
- While the whistle is adjustable in frequency, some dogs may not respond to it at all. High frequencies like the one produced by the Erligpowht quite simply might not bother dogs who are determined to bark at everything. Not every training method works well on all dogs.
Athenas Pets Adjustable High Frequency Ultrasonic Dog Whistle
Our Rating:
3.8/5
Price Range: $
The Athenas Pets dog whistle is another adjustable frequency option. This whistle would be great for beginner dog whistle users who want to train specific commands with their whistle. The whistle comes with a lanyard for easy handling as well as a clicker with a wrist band and a training guide. New to clicker training, too? Don’t worry, the book covers it. All that for a low price. Not bad, right?
To adjust the frequency of the whistle, all you have to do is remove the plastic cover and rotate the pitch rod while blowing. Rotate the rod until your dog responds. You’ve found the ideal pitch to train your pooch!
The Athenas Pets whistle has a range of 500 meters. This means you don’t have to be right next to your dog (or your neighbor’s yappy dog) to get your point across.
The training book will be emailed to your as an eBook. So, if you’re out in the field and need to check on how to teach a particular command, just grab your phone and there’s your answer.
What We Like About It
- The versatility of training thanks to the whistle, the clicker, and the book. Clicker training is also a proven successful training method, so combining the 2 should produce learned commands with your dog.
- The book does a great job of explaining how to train with a whistle and clicker. If you take the time to read the book and practice with your dog, you’ll see the results of your work.
- We tested the Athenas Pets whistle with a Golden Retriever. We got her attention with the whistle, which told her to pick up an object. When she brought the object to us, she heard and click and received a treat. It was a quick and easy way to teach a dog to retrieve!
What We Don't Like
- We noticed that the whistle had a tendency to change pitch while we were using it. We had to be careful and gentle with the whistle so it wouldn’t twist. Not a huge problem but still somewhat inconvenient when focused on training.
A quick tip from the Trainer
Wait until your dog is not paying attention to you. Blow the whistle with 1 short tweet. Wait until your dog comes to you to investigate. Give him a treat and praise him. Repeat this process until he understands what you that tweet means.
SportDOG Brand Roy Gonia Special Whistle
Our Rating:
4/5
Price Range: $
The SportDOG Brand whistle is designed for hunting or field work with your dog. You have the option of purchasing a whistle with a pea or without a pea. Color choices include highly visible orange – which is perfect for hunting – as well as clear or red.
This is not a silent dog whistle. It emits a lower pitch that is supposed to travel farther. It’s easy-to-blow design provides effective communication with your dog while training, working, or hunting. It’s also considered a quiet whistle so you can use it while standing next to your dog without hurting his ears.
You may be able to get the attention of even the most focused and stubborn dogs. (There’s no guarantee it will get their attention because each dog is different.) Use your training techniques so your dog associates the tweet of the whistle with you and treats. With practice and hard work, eventually he should recall when he hears the tweet.
What We Like About It
- While dogs are able to hear much higher pitches than humans, they still hear lower pitches better. The lower pitch of this whistle generates more responses from dogs than some of the high frequency whistles we’ve tested. While you will be able to hear the whistle and may get tired of it, your dog is more likely to respond.
- The easy-to-blow design makes it easy to tweet the whistle with minimum air. This means you can emit whistle commands without making yourself go deaf.
- For the price you pay, it’s a great whistle. It gets the job done and teaches your dog without breaking the bank.
What We Don't Like
- Not completely detrimental, but the whistle didn’t come with a lanyard. Not all whistles do, but it’s nice to get a lanyard without having to purchase one separately. On the bright side, if you plan on putting the whistle on a keychain or something, it’s no big deal.
Mighty Paw Training Whistle
Our Rating:
3.6/5
Price Range: $
The Mighty Paw Training Whistle is a silent dog whistle with a retractable belt attachment and a neck lanyard. Being able to attach the whistle to yourself in different manners gives you the freedom and flexibility to use your hands while training to provide treats or physical praise.
The Might Paws whistle is useful for both obedience and recall training. The whistle removes the frustration of yelling commands at your dog when he’s far away from you. The frequency of the whistle carries farther than your voice and saves your voice from injury.
You can use this whistle to teach your dog to stop barking. You can also use it to teach your dog recall when he’s off leash. It’s a versatile training tool. Remember to train your dog one-on-one so he understands what the whistle means. Simply blowing on the whistle won’t teach him anything.
What We Like About It
- The whistle comes with a little cheat sheet on how to use the whistle and how to train your dog with the whistle. It suggests commands for long tweets and short tweets. You can adapt your training as you desire, but the cheat sheet gives you a solid start on training.
- The choice of retractable belt clip versus the neck lanyard was nice for different activities. We used the retractable belt clip for walks when the whistle wasn’t always needed. Then we used the neck lanyard for training sessions when we needed the whistle near our faces most of the time.
- While the whistle isn’t completely silent (we could hear a faint high-pitched woosh of air), it’s quiet enough to not bother people but loud enough for dogs to hear.
What We Don't Like
- People who are looking for a completely silent whistle should look elsewhere. This whistle makes slight noise.
A quick tip from the Trainer
If your dog is sensitive to high-pitched sounds, be careful to blow the whistle quietly. You don’t want your dog to fear the noise.
Aptoyu Professional Silent Dog Whistle, 3 Pack
Our Rating:
3.3/5
Price Range: $
The Aptoyu Professional Silent Dog Whistle is – obviously – a silent dog whistle. It features an adjustable ultrasonic pitch for recall training. The anatomy of the whistle includes a hook for either a lanyard or keychain (the whistle comes with a lanyard) and a grip cover for easy handling. The mouthpiece connects to the frequency bar, which connects to a screw rod and lock nut to adjust the frequency and hold it in place. The whistle is merely 3.23 inches in length so you can store it or wear it without inconvenience.
The 3 pack of whistles includes 3 different colors – black, white, and red – each with a smooth, black lanyard. Team up with a couple friends or family members and train your dogs together. Or save the other 2 whistles for future use in case your is lost or damaged.
The Aptoyu whistle is made of premium stainless steel to last through many years of use. No cheap plastic in this whistle!
What We Like About It
- The whistles come with instructions. The guide is good for beginner dog whistle users who need help teaching those first few commands.
- Besides training commands, this whistle seemed to work well in keeping dogs away from us. We tested the whistle with dogs who wanted to beg while eating or cooking and with dogs who wanted to chase us down the street. The frequency was high and aversive enough to convince these dogs to stay away.
- The frequency was very easy to tune.
What We Don't Like
- With a lot of dog whistles, not every dog responds to the noise. Maybe it’s the pitch. Maybe the dog is just that stubborn. But this whistle, like many whistles, aren’t fool proof.
A quick tip from the Trainer
The whistle should be the only stimulus while training. Do not use other commands. Do not coax your dog to come to the sound of the whistle. Merely blow the whistle, wait until he completes the task, and reward him.
JBER Dog Training Whistle – 2 Pack
Our Rating:
3.3/5
Price Range: $
The JBER Dog Training Whistle is designed to stop barking or to teach commands. The 2-pack of whistles has an adjustable frequency with ultrasonic sound for training or bark control. Each whistle comes with a premium quality lanyard, as well.
The adjustable frequency lets you find the ideal pitch to train your dog or teach your dog multiple commands with multiple frequencies. Just use the adjustable nut to find each desired frequency.
The whistle is made of premium stainless steel material for a long lifespan. The high-quality lanyard prevents you from easily losing the whistle while training.
If you’re not completely satisfied with the JBER whistle, the company offers a 100% money back guarantee. Just contact customer service and they will send a replacement or a full refund to best suit your needs.
What We Like About It
- A 2 pack of whistles for such a low price will fit any budget for dog training. No need for expensive tools to teach your dog good manners!
- Getting 2 whistles for the price of 1 is great if you want to train your dog as a couple or family.
- It was easy to find the perfect pitch to work with our dogs. Lock the pitch and place and start training. It’s that simple.
What We Don't Like
- Like a lot of dog whistles, not all dogs respond to them. This tool is great for training but not necessarily fool proof.
Michael Josh 2PCS Survival Whistles
Our Rating:
3.3/5
Price Range: $
The Michael Josh Outdoor Emergency Survival Whistles are another 2-pack option that each comes with a carabiner and lanyard. They work well as dog whistles while camping, hiking, playing sports, or training.
The double tubes in this whistle provide up to 150 decibels of sound to reach farther distances.
The whistle is made of stainless steel for durability and resistance to rust. It does not contain a pea, so you don’t have to worry about moisture causing mold or bacteria.
The Michael Josh whistles are available in black, gold, or silver. They each come with a lanyard and a carabiner.
Since this is also an emergency whistle, you can take it camping or hiking and use it in case of an accident with injuries. It’s incredibly loud so you have a good chance of someone hearing you.
What We Like About It
- It’s super loud so you can communicate with your dog from very far away.
- It doubles as an emergency whistle! Camping, hiking, biking, or boating are all options for using this whistle and taking your pooch with you.
- Fun color options other than black are always great. The gold and silver are sleek and stylish!
What We Don't Like
- If you plan to hold the whistle between your teeth while training, it might hurt a bit as it doesn’t have a rubber tip or anything to protect your teeth. Maybe try holding it between your lips instead.
A quick tip from the Trainer
Using a whistle with an adjustable frequency may be the best option for beginner whistle users. Different dogs respond to frequencies differently so being able to change frequencies and find out which works best may be more useful.
forepets Professional Dog Whistle
Our Rating:
3.3/5
Price Range: $
The forepets dog whistle claims to stop barking and be a proven training tool. It also comes with its own lanyard. You should be able to train your dog to stop barking or to recall. Simply adjust the frequency to best suit your dog’s attention and lock it in place with the locking nut feature. Place the snap on cover over top and you’re ready to start training.
Like all other dog whistles, this one is not guaranteed to work on your dog. Each dog is different and may or may not react to the sound. You will have to try it and see what happens. If it doesn’t work on your dog, forepets will accept a return shipment.
Have a bit of patience and see how your dog reacts. This could be the perfect dog whistle to train your pup. The lanyard will help prevent losing the whistle while training, walking, running, biking, etc.
What We Like About It
- Adjustable frequency to customize the training to your pup.
- Fun lanyard that with “forepets” printed on it.
- Plastic cover over the metal whistle to protect it from dirt and damage.
What We Don't Like
- It seems as though young human ears can still hear the frequency of the whistle. Use your discretion if you can handle the noise.
A quick tip from the Trainer
Practice recall in a confined area to know if your dog will reliably return to you when hearing the tweet of a whistle.
ACME Silent Dog Whistle
Our Rating:
3.6/5
Price Range: $$
The ACME Silent Dog Whistle Model 535 has an adjustable frequency to best suit your dog’s hearing needs. It’s nearly inaudible to humans. Remember, young ears can hear higher frequencies than older ears, so kids may be able to hear the whistle that you can’t.
Dogs can hear the whistle up to 400 yards away. You can communicate with your dog while in the field or in the woods. Whether you need your dog to retrieve the duck you’re hunting or if you need him to come back to the house after play time, the whistle will let you instruct him either way.
The ACME whistle is made of solid brass with nickel plating. It’s built for many years of use in both wet and dry conditions as well as cold or hot.
ACME is the leading quality brand of whistles so you know you’re getting a great product. They’ve been building whistles for over 130 years in the United Kingdom.
What We Like About It
- The sound carries very far with this one. If you’re trying to quiet the neighborhood dog, it just might do the trick.
- Solid, sturdy construction. This whistle feels indestructible!
- Very sleek design. It looks so much more professional than your average boat whistle type of product. We looked like expert whistle trainers!
What We Don't Like
- It’s not exactly silent. We tested the whistle around young adults and a few kids. They could hear it but it wasn’t extremely loud. It was more like a quiet woosh of air at a higher pitch. Older folks may not even notice the sound.
What is a dog whistle?
Dog whistles are a traditional form of communication between dogs and owners, dating back to shepherding in early agricultural times. Some very rural areas of Europe still have people who practice a language of complex whistle commands to tell their dogs to conduct intricate herding maneuvers.
In modern areas, dog whistles are either average boat whistles or a specialized whistle with a pitch too high for humans to hear but low enough for a dog to hear with ease. They’re used to communicate commands for basic commands or specialized training, such as hunting.
4 Types of dog whistles
- Silent: A silent dog whistle makes no noise that you can hear. Your dog, however, will hear the sound of a silent whistle. They operate at a frequency too high for human ears. A young person may be able to hear the pitch at a quiet volume since younger people can hear higher pitches than older people.
- Dual-Tone: A dual-tone dog whistle is a 2-in-1 whistle. One end of the whistle emits a lower tone that humans can hear and has a pea. The other end emits a higher tone that humans cannot hear and does not contain a pea. A pea is a small wooden bead that bounces around inside the whistle and creates a trill multitone sound.
- Whistle with Pea: Lower-tone whistle with wooden bead inside that bounces around and creates a trilling multitone sound.
- Whistle without Pea: High-pitched whistle that emits a noise at a frequency too high for a human to hear, but dogs hear just fine.
Dog whistle materials
Dog whistles are usually made of either plastic or metal. Both are high-quality materials that will produce a clear tone. Which material you choose depends on your personal preference.
Why should you use a dog whistle for training?
While there is an ongoing debate over the use of dog whistles, the benefits seem to greatly outweigh the potential disadvantages.
Distance
Whistles allow you to communicate with your dog from a much greater distance than your voice could travel.
Customization
You can customize your commands so you and your dog have a unique language that no one can interfere with.
Training
Specialized training isn’t necessary to use a whistle, either. You can use any type of whistle for basic commands. You can even combine whistle commands with hand signals to make more complex and customized instructions.
Usability
A dog whistle can be used by anyone! That may sound obvious, but think about family dogs who hear multiple voices in just one day. That whistle never changes tone and never gets mixed with emotion. It’s consistent and reliable. A dog will always know what that whistle means.
What is the controversy behind dog whistles?
Some dog handlers argue that a dog whistle hurts the dog’s hearing. This could be true if you blow the whistle too close to the dog’s ears. If you’re standing and your dog is standing next to you, the whistle shouldn’t be too loud for your pup. If you lean down and blow the whistle next to his ear, it’s definitely too loud.
Some dogs have no reaction to dog whistles, which persuades some people to argue that we just shouldn’t use dog whistles at all. Personally, I’ve attempted using a dog whistle on my Pit Bull and she had zero reaction. Want to know if your dog will react before buying a whistle? Download a free dog whistle app on your phone and see what happens.
Fearful dogs may only become more fearful when they hear the sharp sound of a whistle. Instead of responding, they simply cower away from the sound. People claim that whistles should not be used on this type of dog, which makes sense.
Unfortunately, too many people use silent dog whistles in an attempt to get their neighbor’s dog to stop his constant barking. Whistles don’t always work that way. When their plan fails, people argue that dog whistles are useless. You have to work one-on-one with a dog to teach him to be quiet after hearing a whistle. In fact, a dog may bark more after hearing a whistle because they don’t know what creature is making that noise and they let off warning barks to stay away from their territory.
When And How To Use Them Safely?
Using a dog whistle in training is a learned technique. It’s best to educate yourself before attempting to train your dog with this method.
Moderation
If you use a dog whistle too often your dog may become accustomed to it and begin to ignore it. For example, if you use it to deter bad behavior without any follow-through of punishment, your dog will eventually learn that he doesn’t need to fear the whistle and he can do whatever he wants.
Commands
Make the whistle a positive experience. Teach your dog that a particular pattern of the whistle (2 short whistles) means he must sit and then he gets a treat. Your dog will remember the pattern and do what he’s asked in order to get that coveted treat.
Confusion
Don’t use a whistle for commands and correction. Your dog will get confused as to whether he’s doing something right or wrong.
The frequency of a dog whistle
Silent dog whistles typically start at 35,000 Hz and increase from there. 35,000 Hz is the maximum range that humans are capable of hearing. However, veterinarians state that dogs hear best at 4,000 Hz, which is well within the range of human hearing capabilities. So, your dog may be able to hear the 35,000 Hz whistle but not as well as you expect, which could be the reason he doesn’t respond well to the silent whistle. A lower frequency whistle under 35,000 Hz may be a better option.
Choosing the best dog whistle for training and recall
There are a few things to think about when purchasing a dog whistle for use in training and recall.
Acoustic Consistency
Some whistles have adjustable frequencies, so you can teach your dog to respond to different pitches accordingly. This type of acoustic (in)consistency might be ideal for hunting or herding where you need many different commands.
On the other hand, if you plan to teach your dog a few basic commands, you could opt for a single-pitch whistle so you don’t have to worry about choosing a frequency.
Range
With good hearing, a dog can hear a whistle up to 400 yards away. Older dogs or dogs with poor hearing may not be able to hear that far away.
If training your dog for hunting, herding, search and rescue, or another activity that leads the dog far away from you, the longer range is better. Basic commands do not require such a great range of volume.
Purpose
Your purpose for using a dog whistle could be basic commands, such as 2 short tweets to sit or 1 long tweet to return to your side. Your purpose could also be advanced training in hunting and retrieval. In this scenario, you could teach your dog that 1 tweet means turn left (to find the hunted animal) and 2 tweets mean turn right.
Ease of Cleaning
All whistles are fairly easy to clean. Soak the whistle in a mixture of lukewarm water and baking soda. If your whistle has a pea, it will greatly benefit from soaking. The pea will be clean, moist, and at optimal usage.
Adjustable Frequencies
Like we wrote earlier, adjustable frequencies are great for complex training methods. The more frequencies you use, the more commands you can teach.
The best dog whistle for beginners
When it comes to specific brands, the ACME 210.5 dog whistle seems ideal for beginner dog whistle users. It features a simple design for an affordable price. (You could spend anywhere from $10 to $100 on a dog whistle…)
ACME was the first manufacturer to make a whistle with a pea (ACME Thunderer) in 1884. The whistle offered complete control and reliability to the user. It’s now the best-selling whistle in the world.
The ACME 210.5 will do what you need it to do. It has a single frequency of 5,900 Hz. It works best at a close range, so it’s good for beginners and basic commands. It also works well with dogs who are hard of hearing.
Can a deaf dog hear a dog whistle?
At the right frequency, it is possible for a deaf or partially deaf dog to hear a whistle. Interestingly, some deaf dogs can hear the high frequencies of silent dog whistles but not the lower frequencies that humans can hear. The best way to know if your dog can hear a whistle is to try out a couple different frequencies and see if he responds.
Do dog whistles make dogs stop barking?
Not very often. In most cases, a dog hears that strange piercing noise and it makes them bark more. Their territorial instincts might kick in and they let off some warning barks to whatever creature is making that noise.
Rarely, a dog will realize that the uncomfortable noise happens when they bark and they will stop barking.
Can I use a dog whistle app instead?
Sure! There are quite a few free apps you can download. They have adjustable volume and frequency. The only downside is, it takes longer to open an app than to pick up an actual whistle. The app may not have as much volume range, either.
What not to do with a dog whistle?
- A dog whistle won’t always stop your neighbor’s yappy dog from barking at 3 a.m. Don’t put all your effort into making him quiet with a whistle.
- Don’t use a whistle for correction as well as commands. It will confuse your dog as to whether he’s doing something right or wrong.
- Don’t blow the whistle – regardless of type – right next to his ear. That will definitely damage his hearing.
- Don’t use a whistle for training if your dog shows fear of the sound.
Prerequisites for training with a dog whistle
- Educate yourself. Read books and watch videos on how to train your dog with a whistle. Know what you’re doing so that you don’t train your dog incorrectly.
- Develop a training plan before you start training.
- Consider speaking with a professional trainer to get the best training advice.
F.A.Qs
What is the range of a dog whistle? Check the package or product description. Each whistle varies.
Will a dog whistle get the neighbor’s dog to stop barking?
Possibly. If your neighbor’s dog is the type to respond to a whistle, you may be able to teach the dog to be quiet. It could take some luck and persistence.
Possibly. If your neighbor’s dog is the type to respond to a whistle, you may be able to teach the dog to be quiet. It could take some luck and persistence.
Can humans hear dog whistles?
Sometimes, depending on the frequency and the age of the person. Younger people can hear higher frequencies than older people.
Sometimes, depending on the frequency and the age of the person. Younger people can hear higher frequencies than older people.
Is the frequency adjustable?
It depends on the type of whistle you buy. You can find many dog whistles on the market with adjustable frequencies.
It depends on the type of whistle you buy. You can find many dog whistles on the market with adjustable frequencies.
My dog is deaf. Could he hear a whistle?
It’s possible! Some deaf or partially-deaf dogs can still hear higher frequencies. You can test a few different whistles and see if any of them get his attention.
It’s possible! Some deaf or partially-deaf dogs can still hear higher frequencies. You can test a few different whistles and see if any of them get his attention.
Our Final Verdict
Our clear winner is the Michael Josh Whistle Not only can it work as a high-quality dog whistle, you can use it as an emergency whistle if you’re out with your dog and tragedy happens. Bike accident? Capsized boat? The whistle will alert for help.
The Woof On The Street
Share your experience with the products mentioned throughout this review in the comments below or Feel free to share your own product recommendations as well.
