Whether you’re training a newly-adopted puppy and looking to correct behaviour from an older pooch, a whistle can be an excellent training tool for your dog. These are often said to help with ‘anti-barking’ training, but they’re not just useful for aversive training, they're excellent for command training too!
But which whistle is best? Most people consider ultrasonic ‘silent’ whistles to be best but there are pros to using audible whistles as well. Our buying guide will walk you through the benefits of each whistle type and then our top 10 listings will show you our favourite whistles from popular brands such as ACME and Storm.
Quick List - Top Dog Whistles
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Ultrasonic or silent dog whistles are what most people refer to when talking about dog whistles. These are great as dogs can usually hear these whistles better, even if you have a dog that is hard of hearing or even deaf. Plus, there’s no risk of bothering your neighbours by blowing a loud whistle at all hours of the night!
However, silent whistles are not necessarily perfect for everyone. Although they have their benefits, it may be harder to train your dog if you can’t hear the sound yourself. Plus, in some cases your dog may not respond to the whistle at all – or worse, the sound may even irritate your poor pooch's ears!
Audible whistles are better for beginners for obvious reasons – being able to hear it makes your life a lot easier! Although there's a risk they can be damaging to your ears or a nuisance to others, if you're doing long-distance training this can be a positive as the sound travels further than silent whistles.
They can come in two types: pea whistles or pealess whistles. Pea whistles contain a ‘pea’ inside, which is often a cork ball. This ‘pea’ allows you to make a greater combination of sounds with trills incorporated. This is great for command training as it means you can make a different sound for each command. However, they don’t work well in cold weather, as the ‘pea’ may freeze and prevent efficient use.
Pealess whistles are obviously best for colder climates as there’s no pea inside to become frozen. Plus, they are better for quicker blasts of sound rather than long notes, if that is your preference for your commands. However, the range of sounds isn't as large as with a pea or ultrasonic whistle, so it may be harder to train your dog with different commands.
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The frequency of a whistle is measured in Hertz (Hz) and is a very important factor to consider. While an average middle-aged adult has a hearing range from 20 Hz - 15,000-17,000 Hz, an average dog’s range goes from 40-60,000 Hz.
This a huge difference in range and the reason why most ultrasonic dog whistles are considered ‘silent’ to human ears. You should also consider that different dog breeds have different hearing ranges. Smaller breeds such as Jack Russells have a higher range of hearing, whereas larger breeds usually respond better to lower ranges.
Luckily, many whistles have adjustable frequencies so make sure you pick one with this feature if you're unsure – that way, you can test which range your dog responds best to!
Plastic whistles are great for both ease of use and the purse strings as they are often more affordable than metal ones. Not only are they better for all weather types, but they’re often more comfortable to use.
Although they may not be as durable as metal whistles, if you're prone to losing things on your dog walks (or in general!) a plastic one is probably a better option for you – they can come in a variety of fun, eye-catching colours, and they're cheaper to replace.
Metal whistles are of course sturdier and more durable, so if you want a product that will last you for a long while, this is the way to go. Some even have a lifetime warranty! They also look more sleek and stylish, if you care about that kind of thing.
However, the downside is that cold weather may affect these whistles negatively. Not only will it be cold and uncomfortable to use, but the tone of your whistle may change from the cold.
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A tiny item like a whistle on its own can be easily misplaced, which is why many dog owners choose to use key rings or lanyards to keep track of them. Some whistles also come with covers to protect the mouthpiece when it's not in use. You're putting it in your mouth after all, and who knows what germs could've gotten on it!
While you can choose to buy these accessories separately, it's helpful to look for a whistle set which comes with these additional extras. It's definitely an incentive to buy a particular product and one less thing for you to worry about.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ACME Silent Dog Whistle 535 | ![]() | The Most Recommended Ultrasonic Whistle With a Lifetime Warranty | |
2 | ACME Dog Whistle 210.5 | ![]() | Offers a High Pitch That's Sufficiently Loud for Dogs but Quiet for Humans | |
3 | Fitness Health Plastic Whistle with Lanyard | ![]() | Low-Pitched and Ideal for Larger Breeds or Older Dogs | |
4 | ACME Thunderer No. 58 | ![]() | A Top-Quality Pea Whistle Perfect for Long Range Trills | |
5 | Fox Classic CMG Whistle | ![]() | Ultra-Comfortable for Use Over Extended Periods of Time | |
6 | SimplyNatural Ultrasonic Copper Core Dog Whistle | ![]() | An Ultrasonic Whistle With an Adjustable Frequency Range | |
7 | Storm All-Weather Safety Whistle | ![]() | The Loudest Whistle on the Market for Long-Distance Training | |
8 | kuou 2 Pcs Dog Training Whistles with Lanyard | ![]() | A High-Frequency Set Perfect for Smaller Dogs | |
9 | Ancol Constant Frequency Pro Whistle | ![]() | A Metal Whistle That Promises a Consistent Frequency | |
10 | Mikki 2-in-1 High Pitched Whistle Clicker | ![]() | 2-in-1 Training Accessory for Dual-Purpose Training |
There's a reason why ACME is so highly regarded, and this silent dog whistle is an obvious testimony for that sentiment. The frequency range of this whistle can be adjusted from 5,800 Hz to 12,400 Hz, making it suitable for practically every breed. And while no whistle is truly silent, most users claim to only hear a quiet hissing sound, if they hear anything at all.
The whistle itself is highly durable and made of solid brass with nickel plating. Plus, it even comes with a cover cap that is chained to the whistle itself, protecting the mouthpiece from potential germs. And best of all, it comes with a lifetime warranty, as with all ACME whistles.
Whether you live in the countryside with space to roam or a busy city in close quarters with lots of other people, the 210.5 dog whistle by ACME is an excellent all-round training tool for both close and distance control, with a range of up to 275 metres.
The best thing about this whistle is the uniform sound it produces at a frequency of 5900 Hz. This is audible for dogs of all breeds but is also gentle enough on human ears that it shouldn't be too much of a nuisance to your neighbours either. For a high-quality and long-lasting whistle, this is definitely your best bet.
Not every dog responds well to high-pitched frequencies, especially if they're larger or older and hard of hearing. If this sounds like your pooch, you may want to consider this hand-crafted pea whistle from Fitness Health.
No matter your experience in dog training, this whistle is easy to use and features a lower-pitched sound that carries farther than higher pitches. This whistle comes recommended by both pros and amateurs and is actually used to train more field champions than any other whistle. Talk about a glowing review!
For those who have got their eye on a pea whistle, this is ACME's smallest and most popular all-purpose whistle. In fact, it's been used by the UK Railways since the early 1900s and if it's good enough for the railways, it's good enough for your pet!
Made from chrome-plated brass with a waterproof natural cork pea and a tapered mouthpiece to ensure ease of use, this whistle produces high-pitch trilling with an instant response. Plus it's another great option for long-range training, with the sound covering a range of up to 411 metres.
The most comfortable whistle on our list boasts a cushioned mouth grip that protects your teeth as well as a superior grip that decreases the chance of your whistle slipping away from you while in use.
Though plastic, this whistle is of a good quality and promises a flawless sound that can be heard up to a mile away. But although the sound of this whistle is loud, it cannot be overblown, which means you'll get a consistent and reliable sound each time.
Our favourite feature of this whistle is the protective cover that comes with the purchase. Not only does it protect the mouthpiece from germs while travelling, but it also ensures your adjusted frequency is locked and ready for next time!
Although this is marketed as a storm whistle, many dog owners have had great success with this as a dog training whistle. With its unique patented design, both high and low frequency sounds are focused into a single 3150 Hz frequency.
Of course, this whistle is probably not recommended if you live in a busy block of flats or share your outdoor space as the sound might be a bit alarming. But if you live somewhere with lots of greenery and your dogs love to roam, this is the best option!
If you're practical and like to have backups, or even if you're a bit forgetful and tend to lose things, you might want to consider this twin pack of whistles. Plus, with a keyring and an 80cm long lanyard attached, you will never have to worry about losing these!
Made from high-quality, durable plastic, this whistle has a high frequency that is best suited for smaller breeds of dogs. If you have a larger dog, you might want to consider a different frequency whistle.
The key to training your dog is consistency, which is exactly what this whistle promises. A sleek metal tool that comes with a keyring and ball chain attached, Ancol assures that you'll get the same frequency no matter how you blow this whistle.
Unfortunately, consistent as it is, the brand doesn't state what the actual frequency of the whistle is, so it may be a bit of a risky purchase in case it doesn't work for a particular breed of pooch.
This Mikki product offers a multipurpose tool for all your dog training needs. As well as operating as a high-frequency whistle, there's also an incorporated clicker, which is great for a rewards-based training system.
Although this isn't the highest quality tool on our list, it is nonetheless an affordable option for you to test the waters with to see how it works with your dog. Those who are a bit more experienced may want to look for another option.
No. 1: ACME|Silent Dog Whistle 535
No. 2: ACME|Dog Whistle 210.5
No. 3: Fitness Health|Plastic Whistle with Lanyard
No. 4: ACME|Thunderer No. 58
No. 5: Fox|Classic CMG Whistle
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