Training a dog may not be easy, but it is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a pet owner.
Whether you’re looking to teach your dog some good manners or a few fun tricks, you’ll need the best dog training whistle.
No idea what kind of whistle professional trainers use?
To help you with that, here are five options that dog trainers swear by.
Best Dog Training Whistle Reviews
1. LuckyTail Dog Training Whistle
In most training situations, you will want a whistle that can produce a strong and clear sound over long distances.
The LuckyTail Dog Training Whistle is capable of doing that.
Product Highlights
LuckyTail is a US-based brand of essential pet supplies.
The brand offers a wide range of products for your pawed friends, from nail grinders to pet training tools.
Among its most well-loved creations is this dog training whistle.
Weighing just 0.49 ounces and measuring 90 mm long, you’ll find no problems carrying this whistle during training.
Plus, it comes with a hook, so you can conveniently wear it like a necklace.
The metal and plastic body is both lightweight and durable and produces a comfortable and useful frequency for dogs.
The Good
The LuckyTail dog training whistle produces sound in an ultrasonic range.
It works effectively to grab a dog’s attention without causing them to fuss, so both you and your pet will have a great time during each training session.
Like the rest of LuckyTail’s products, this dog training whistle comes with a money-back guarantee.
The Bad
While it does say that it can cover long distances, the manufacturer’s website doesn’t specify the frequency range of this whistle.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Simple, user-friendly design
- Comes with a money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Unknown frequency range
- May not last against overuse and abuse
2. FANZ Ultrasonic Dog Whistle
The FANZ Ultrasonic Dog Whistle comes with a clicker, which is a very helpful feature for those new to dog training.
Like the LuckyTail, it also has a lanyard so that you don’t have to bother making a separate purchase for one.
With this, there’s nothing stopping you from training your dog as soon as possible.
Product Highlights
As you can imagine, working with a dog whistle can be tricky.
Good thing, the whistle features a standard frequency that helps your dog recognize your signals.
FANZ is a silent dog whistle with an adjustable pitch.
To adjust the pitch, you simply have to remove the plastic sleeve and turn the screw rod.
Next, rotate the nut clockwise until it is firmly locked and then put on the plastic sleeve back.
This silent dog whistle comes with a clicker.
Unlike other options, this is useful for positive dog training because it prevents confusion about the reward to come.
If you’re just starting with dog training, using a clicker is an easy and effective method that works on dogs of all ages, including puppies.
As you uncover more dog training techniques and your dog becomes more comfortable learning new things, you can switch from the clicker to the whistle.
You can even combine the two in your training sessions.
The Good
We like that this whistle is backed with worry-free after-sales service in case you need technical support in using the tools.
It also comes with a manual on dog training to guide you to the right track.
Lastly, you have an option to upgrade to two whistles and two clickers.
The Bad
The whistle emits ultrasound waves, which may not be totally silent.
Pros:
- Also comes with a clicker
- Lanyard and dog training manual
- Durable construction
- Reliable after-sales support
Con:
- Doesn’t specify the frequency range
3. Howan Dog Whistle
The Howan professional dog training whistle has a sound range of up to 25 meters, allowing you to teach your pooch varying skills and tricks.
It’s made with high-quality plastic that lets you train your dog without any health concerns.
Aside from pet training, you can also use this tool for sports, emergencies, and other activities.
Product Highlights
We like that this whistle is made of very dense plastic, so it’s likely to last for a long time.
And since it’s more like a sports whistle, it emits a sound that both humans and dogs can hear.
Due to its loudness, the Howan whistle is commonly used in older dogs or those who have hearing problems.
The whistle is quite small, which allows you to carry it conveniently. You can wear it around your neck or put it in your pocket.
What’s more, it only weighs 0.32 ounces, so you’re not going to feel it straining your neck when you wear it like a necklace.
Like the last dog training whistle we looked at, it comes with a free durable lanyard strap for portability.
Aside from training pets, you can use the whistle for other activities like sports events and competitions.
The Good
Among the most impressive things about this whistle are its portability and durability.
Since it has a thick plastic construction, it is lightweight yet sturdy enough for constant use.
The Howan whistle also comes with a free lanyard strap in black, which looks and feels well-made.
In terms of training benefits, the whistle is suitable for training dogs with hearing impairments.
If you have a huge backyard, blowing the whistle is also an excellent way to command your pooch to come to you right away.
The Bad
Unlike the first two options, this whistle works like a regular whistle, so anyone will be able to hear it.
Also, it may not work for all breeds of dogs as some are highly sensitive to sound.
If you are bothered with the whistle sound, this may not be the training tool for you.
Pros:
- Durable and lightweight
- Versatile functionality
- Comes with a free lanyard
Cons:
- Too loud for some dogs
- Humans can hear it
4. Hivernou Dog Whistle
The Hivernou Dog Whistle is another ultrasonic training whistle that allows for an adjustable frequency.
Whether you’re teaching your dog to stop barking or follow specific commands like “sit,” “come,” and “lay down,” this whistle makes for a user-friendly tool.
It is also made of premium metal that is durable and resistant to rust.
Product Highlights
This easy-to-carry whistle comes with a lanyard strap for portability.
In addition, you won’t have a hard time carrying it around as it only measures 3.2 inches in length and weighs just 0.63 ounces.
The Hivernou whistle uses ultrasonic soundwaves.
These soundwaves are loud enough for your dog to understand your cues but still gentle so as not to hurt their hearing.
With adjustable frequency, this whistle helps you communicate with your pooch more effectively.
To adjust the pitch, all you need to do is remove the anti-loss cover and then turn the screw rod inward or outward until you achieve the desired sound.
Next, fix the screw and lock the nut clockwise to lock in your setting. Finally, insert the whistle back into the dust cover.
The Good
One notable thing about this dog training whistle is its dual anti-loss feature.
Aside from the lanyard, it comes with a special lock nut and cover to prevent loss.
Plus, the whistle quality appears to be top-notch, which is pretty impressive for its affordable price point.
Even better, the product comes with a money-back guarantee.
The Bad
Compared to the others on this list, this whistle is heavier, even though it’s pretty small.
We can attribute it to the fact that it’s made with heavy-duty material, which is really a good thing.
Pros:
- Dual anti-loss design
- Sturdy whistle
- Uses ultrasonic sound waves
- Adjustable sound frequency
Con:
- Not the lightest whistle
5. SportDOG Brand Roy Gonia Special Whistle
If you’re looking for a super affordable whistle, this one fits the bill.
Like a regular whistle, it features an easy-to-blow, pealess design and a convenient key ring connector.
What’s more is that it doesn’t freeze, so it’s ideal for use even in colder weather.
Product Highlights
SportDOG is a very well-known brand for dog training whistles.
Some of its most popular offerings are the pealess whistles, whistle with peas, and mega whistles.
For this review, we chose the whistle without pea that offers a no-trill call or high frequency.
The SportDog Brand pealess whistle measures 1.25 by 3.88 by 7.63 inches and weighs 0.63 ounces.
Such a whistle is ideal for close-range training sessions or when working with puppies.
As mentioned, you can also use it during the colder months as it does not freeze.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly yet reliable model, the SportDOG special whistle is a good choice.
What’s more is that this whistle is suitable for all breeds, including hunting and working dogs.
The Good
This whistle is loud enough to get a dog’s attention but not too loud that it can disturb other people too much.
Plus, you’ll find the easy-to-blow design allows for effective communication while on the training ground.
For this reason, the Roy Gonia Special is widely used by both professional trainers and amateurs.
Furthermore, this tool is suitable for all breeds of hunting and working dogs.
The Bad
The whistle is pretty small, so you may have to blow into it pretty hard to get it to work correctly.
Pros:
- Sturdy
- Portable
- Pealess design
- Made of high-quality plastic
- Ideal for cold weather use
Con:
- Too small that blowing is hard
Buyer’s Guide
Dog whistles can be both valuable and harmful, but many dog trainers agree that they are highly effective training tools.
Because they come in varying types and designs, choosing the right product is important to help you succeed.
Here are the most significant things to consider when looking for the best dog whistles:
1. Type
Your pet training goals are your primary consideration when choosing a dog whistle.
You can use any type of whistle to teach dogs basic commands and obedience. However, specific models are more effective in reaching specific training goals.
Generally, there are four types of dog whistles:
Silent
A silent dog whistle uses ultrasonic waves with too-high frequencies for human ears, especially among older people.
If you’re training your dog in your backyard and don’t want to disturb other people, a silent whistle is the way to go.
Dual-Tone
Also called a “two-in-one” whistle, this tool produces a lower sound and comes with a pea.
A pea is a small wooden bead that bounces inside the whistle as you blow it, creating a trill multitone sound.
Whistle With Pea
Some whistles contain a pea that vibrates in a patterned motion, producing a high-pitched trill that’s hard to ignore.
Whistle Without Pea
This tool emits a high-frequency sound that’s too high for humans to hear.
2. Material
Dog whistles are often made of either plastic or metal or a combination of both.
Which material you choose will depend on your personal preference. Nonetheless, you want to pay attention to the whistle’s build quality.
The best options are those made from dense plastic or high-quality metal.
Additionally, since you are putting it in your mouth, you should look for a whistle that’s safe to use.
3. Features
Some dog whistles are pretty basic, while others come with additional tools like a clicker.
This feature will come in very handy, especially for newbie dog trainers.
Also, many dog whistles have lanyard straps for carrying convenience and loss prevention.
4. Frequency
Silent dog whistles produce frequencies ranging from 23 to 54 kHz, which is way above what humans can hear.
To our ears, a dog whistle only makes a quiet “hissing” sound.
However, according to most vets, dogs hear best within the range of 4 kHz, which is well within the range of our hearing capabilities.
This is why regular whistles also work fine for dog training.
A whistle with adjustable frequency allows you to set the pitch to a level that your dog will respond better to.
Another benefit of choosing whistles with adjustable frequency is that it helps prevent confusion in dogs when they are learning different commands or tricks.
For example, you can use a lower pitch to train signals and a higher pitch to indicate reprimands.
5. Your Dog’s Breed
Large-breed dogs respond better to low frequencies, while smaller breeds respond well to higher frequencies.
For example, retrieving breeds like labradors and goldens respond better to a loud whistle (with a frequency of 57 kHz), which they can hear over long distances.
6. Distance
Knowing the distance at which your dog will be able to hear your whistle is incredibly important.
If you plan to take them on activities like hunting or fetching, look for whistles with a distance range of one kilometer or more.
Otherwise, you’re good with whistles that cover shorter distances.
Dog Training Whistle FAQs
1. Do whistles work for training dogs?
Whistles are one of the most commonly used tools for dog training.
They are often used side by side with clickers and treats to signal and reward a dog when they have performed a command successfully.
The sound that a whistle emits will grab a dog’s attention, but it wouldn’t hurt their ears or make them go wild.
That said, remember that every dog is different.
A dog may not respond to a whistle command in the same way another won’t respond to other training methods.
As such, it’s essential that you know your dog if you decide to proceed with this training method.
It’s completely fine if she doesn’t respond to whistles at first. You can always try again and apply the proven techniques for this method.
If those still don’t work, try another method until you find what works best for your pup.
2. What kind of dog whistle frequency is most effective?
All breeds are likely to respond to whistles with frequencies ranging from 62 to 120 kHz.
Choosing the right whistle frequency for dog training depends on several factors, such as your dog’s breed, training distance, and training goals.
Using a whistle with an adjustable pitch lets you find the sweet spot for effective training.
However, do note that it’s affected by certain factors like the terrain and weather conditions, and the frequency distance.
3. Is whistle training bad for dogs?
Whistles are not bad for dogs. In fact, they are a very effective training tool that has been used for decades to teach pups and older dogs.
Even though you use them for positive reinforcement, some use whistles as an aversive tool to stop dogs from doing certain behaviors, such as excessive barking.
To avoid hurting your dog’s ears, use whistles in moderation.
Regardless of how your dog responds, using whistles for extended periods can be irritating to their ears.
Also, make sure to keep training sessions short but consistent.
According to Christos from Delaware K9 Academy, Your puppy has a short attention span. Hence, quick but more frequent sessions are much more effective in helping her learn to obey your commands.
You can start with a few minutes in the first few sessions and gradually increase to several 15-minute sessions daily.
Lastly, remember that even though a whistle can be an effective tool for training a dog, it’s useless without association.
4. What is the difference between 210 and 211 dog whistles?
A 210 dog whistle produces a single high-pitch frequency tone.
It’s fitted with a pea that creates a trill of rolling notes or variable frequency.
As such, you’ll find it most suitable for all dogs, especially older dogs and those who have hearing problems.
It’s also useful when you’re trying to teach different commands using varying styles of sound.
A 211 whistle has a lower pitch than a 210 whistle and is preferred for training retrieving dogs.
5. Do ultrasonic dog whistles work?
Yes, they do.
Also called “silent whistles,” dog whistles with an ultrasonic frequency are widely used in training working dogs, such as hunting and shepherding dogs.
The reason is that it can emit a sound that can travel far greater distances than a voice without being irritating to human ears.
Which Is the Best Whistle for Dog Training?
The LuckyTail whistle bags the top spot for the best dog training whistle because it’s so easy to use.
It also produces a sound that does not harm your dog’s ears, so your training sessions will be more relaxed and effective.
As an alternative, you can also check out the FANZ Ultrasonic Dog Whistle for its pitch adjustability.
This feature comes in handy when you’re still learning the frequency that your dog will best respond to.
You will also love that it comes with a clicker, which can be a useful buddy when you’re just starting with dog training.
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