Does your dog have a strong hunting instinct or likes to disappear from your view when you're out on a walk? Then a dog whistle is exactly the right tool to ensure your dog's recall even over long distances - we'll tell you exactly how to do this and what else you need to know about the dog whistle in this blog post!
How does a dog whistle work?
Unlike conventional whistles, the dog whistle produces a high frequency tone that is barely perceptible to the human ear - which is why these whistles are often known as silent dog whistles.
The human ear can perceive a frequency range of 20 – 20,000 Hertz, whereas dogs can hear a frequency range of 15 – 50,000 Hertz. The secret of the dog whistle lies in the high-pitched sound it can produce. Since such sounds rarely occur naturally in everyday life, dogs do not know them and perceive them as unusual. This helps you to gain your dog's attention and train him to respond to the sound.
Are dog whistles unpleasant for dogs?
Some dog owners are still a bit skeptical about the dog whistle. They are concerned that the high frequency range can damage the dog's hearing in the long term. But we can take this worry away from you, as long as the whistle is used correctly, your dog will not suffer any health consequences from the dog whistle!
Whistling in the immediate vicinity of the dog or directly next to its ears should of course be avoided, as this can actually lead to hearing damage.
How useful is a dog whistle?
If properly conditioned, a dog whistle is useful. It can not only convey learned commands over long distances, but also interrupt instinctive behavior such as hunting.
When is a dog whistle useful?
The dog whistle is often used as an educational measure to train out bad behavior or to enable easy recall.
The dog whistle can be useful for a variety of dogs, but can only work effectively if the dog has learned what it means. Although the whistle is usually used for the recall, you are free to decide which command you want to assign to it for your dog.
Other benefits of the dog whistle are:
- The consistent tone without emotional and vocal fluctuations.
- The good acoustics, which make the sound audible to the dog even at a greater distance or in bad weather.
- The ability to convey commands even when the dog is not in sight.
- After appropriate training, it is also possible to recall dogs with prey drive or to recall dogs from other situations with a high level of distraction.
Of course, even good training is not an absolute guarantee, the whistle may fail or the stimulus/distance may be too great for the dog. Generally, we always recommend that you keep your dog in your sights so that you can react in time to dangers, stimuli, but also other dogs and road users.
Another risk are the unfortunate cases in which another dog owner has the same dog whistle model as you – In this case it can happen that your dog reacts to the whistle of the other dog owner.
What is the best dog whistle?
You are now spoilt for choice when it comes to dog whistles.
If you value sustainability, tradition and appearance, you should use natural materials and a dog whistle made of horn, wood or antler. If you want to be very precise during training and train with a dog whistle that always produces the same frequency, you will need a standardized dog whistle made of unnatural materials such as plastic or metal.
The dog whistle types differ not only in the material, but also in the type of wistle. Here is an overview of the different dog whistles:
- The single signal whistle
- The double-tone whistle
- The ultrasonic whistle
The single signal whistle:
Here, the dog whistle produces a simple, audible tone that is usually at the same frequency. With most dog whistles, the whistle frequency can often be regulated by a locking nut.
The double tone whistle:
This dog whistle has two mouthpieces, allowing two different sounds to be produced: Whistle & Trill.
If a dog whistle contains the trill whistle, it has a ball inside the whistle made of plastic or metal.
This whistle allows you to train two different commands with one whistle.
The ultrasonic whistle:
This dog whistle is often nicknamed "high frequency whistle" or "silent dog whistle".
Due to the ultrasound, the whistle is barely or not at all audible to humans. Therefore, it is not possible to test the dog whistle to see if it is working properly.
What should you pay attention to when buying a dog whistle?
When buying your dog whistle, you should pay attention to two points:
1. Standardization of the dog whistle
This means that the dog whistle is standardized to a very specific frequency. This means that the sound does not change easily, even after a long time. This ensures that the dog does not become confused as it has become accustomed to a certain sound.
2. Key ring or lanyard
This contributes to the comfort of the dog whistle. It also allows you to hang the dog whistle either on your key ring or simply around your neck. This way you can be sure that the dog whistle won't get lost in the heat of the moment and you'll always have it ready to go.
How do I train my dog to respond to the dog whistle?
Whistle training explained step by step!
Are you unsure how to best introduce the dog whistle and start training? No problem! We have explained dog whistle training step by step using the example of the recall:
Step 1: Getting used to the sound.
It is best to start training at home. Stand near your dog and make sure that your dog has little to no distractions. Give a signal with the dog whistle. As soon as your dog shows even the slightest reaction, praise him for it. Repeat this exercise a maximum of 2 times a day.
Once you notice that your dog responds to the whistle, you can increase the challenge by whistling when your dog is distracted. Start with smaller distraction stimuli first and move on to larger distraction stimuli when the behavior is positive and safe. If this works, you can move on to the next step.
Step 2: Add distance.
To start establishing the desired behavior, i.e. the recall, now go into another room and give the signal tone. If your dog comes to you immediately, praise him with a special reward and leave it at that for the day. Repeat this exercise the next day and make sure that you do no more than 2 repetitions per day. On the third day, take a break so that your dog can process what he has learned. On the fourth day, start training again with a maximum of 5 repetitions per day.
Step 3: Transfer to the walk.
If the exercise works indoors, you can practise the recall on the walk next. We recommend that you take a 10-meter tracking leash with you to help and to provide backup.
If your dog is running a few meters in front of you, give him the signal with the whistle. If your dog reacts immediately and comes back to you, praise him profusely. If your dog does not respond, help him with the leash by giving a little tug to give the impulse to come to you.
Repeat the exercise a maximum of 3 times on your first walk. Proceed with the practice and rest days as in step two. If the exercise now works perfectly, you can let your dog off the leash or have him drag a tracking leash without hand strap behind him and practice the recall while running free. If your dog responds immediately, you have done everything right!
If your dog does not listen to your signal, do not punish him, but go a step back. Whistling wildly should not take place under any circumstances!
Our tip: Give yourself and your dog enough time to get used to the sound and associate it with a command.
Especially with older dogs, this can take a little more time. In addition, your dog should only associate the whistle with something positive. It is best to use special treats or your dog's favorite toy. Last but not least: Think in advance about which signal tone you want to use for the recall (or the command of your choice).
