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Training with the Dog Whistle: Guide to Successful Recall

By Tina Holliston
Published on 01/29/2024
Reviewed by Dr. Stepahanie Porter

Using the Dog Whistle – Simple and Effective

Dogs have excellent hearing, but sometimes it seems like they don’t hear at all: Everyone knows the situation when impatient or desperate dog owners call out various commands to their dogs at the dog park, but the dogs don’t respond at all. In most cases, this is not due to their hearing but rather to the commands or the training.

Many dogs seem to become “deaf” to commands like “Here!” or “Come!” or even their own names. However, when you open a bag of treats in the kitchen, your dog, who was playing in the yard just a minute ago, suddenly appears in front of you. How can this be?

Why doesn’t my dog listen to commands?

There are many reasons why dogs tend to ignore spoken commands. Part of it is due to the human voice itself, while the frequency of the commands used, which may not always have clear meanings for the dog, is another factor: Humans tend to speak too much when communicating with their dogs. Instead of a short “Come,” you often hear variations like “Come here right now” or “Come immediately.” This dilutes dog commands and confuses the dog.

A too lax, inconsistent dog training also contributes to dogs not responding to recalls.
Recalling with a dog whistle, on the other hand, usually works very well: in various situations and especially over long distances. The key is effective dog whistle training.

Where does dog whistle training come from?

Recalling with the dog whistle originally comes from working with hunting and herding dogs: Hunters and shepherds had to recall or direct their dogs over long distances, without visual contact and beyond the range of their voice. A shrill whistle was the only option. The first whistles specifically designed for training dogs came from Britain, a country famous for its sheep farming and traditional hunting sports. Here, dog whistles are used extensively.

When is a dog whistle useful?

If you only walk your dog on a leash, dog whistle training is essentially useless for you. However, there are numerous situations where the dog whistle can make life with your furry companion easier:

Off-leash walks: Working with the dog whistle is especially helpful if your dog is often off-leash and tends to wander far away from you.
Dog parks: The dog whistle also comes in handy at the dog park. Especially during play with other dogs, dogs tend to “ignore” called commands, but the whistle is more effective.
Large property: On a large property, farm, or estate where the dog can roam freely, recall with the dog whistle is very practical.
Dog whistle for hearing impairment: Older dogs dealing with hearing loss may still perceive certain frequencies from ultrasonic dog whistles. Such a dog whistle can provide orientation for your senior dog and peace of mind for you.

Ideally, you should start dog whistle training at a young age. However, adult dogs can also usually be conditioned to respond well to a dog whistle.

Benefits of a Dog Whistle: An Overview

For those weighing the pros and cons of a dog whistle, there are hardly any disadvantages to be found: Sure, it takes some time and diligent training for your canine companion to come to you on a whistle. But this effort is definitely worth it because the benefits of a dog whistle clearly outweigh the drawbacks:

Recall over long distances
More freedom for the dog during outings
Safety and peace of mind during off-leash activities with a reliable recall
Interruption of unwanted behavior by the dog (e.g., chasing wildlife)
Preservation of your voice
Avoidance of embarrassing situations when the dog does not respond to spoken commands
Neutral command tone without emotional and vocal fluctuations

In particular, the last point is an important aspect of dog training that you should not underestimate. Spoken commands often carry emotions such as fear, anger, or impatience, which a dog does indeed register.

This can lead to your dog not wanting to come back to you out of frustration or fear of sanctions. Additionally, our voices don’t always sound the same: sometimes we’re sick, tired, or nervous. And each time, it sounds different! The dog whistle, on the other hand, provides a clear, neutral, and consistent signal.

Is a dog whistle painful for the dog?

Dogs have very keen hearing and often react fearfully to loud noises, such as fireworks or thunder. Therefore, many dog owners assume that using a dog whistle could cause discomfort in animals or that the whistle might even be painful. However, this fear is unfounded. However, you should not blow the dog whistle directly next to the dog’s ear; your furry friend might not appreciate that. If you feel that your dog is reacting nervously to the first training sessions with the whistle, then dampen your whistle tone a bit: for example, you could blow very gently or wrap the dog whistle in a dish towel.

What types of dog whistles are available?

There is a plethora of different dog whistles on the market. They differ in design, material, and whistle frequency. Some are audible to humans, while others are only audible to the dog and other animals. The individual whistles differ in detail mainly due to the following aspects:

Functionality: Trill whistles and ultrasonic dog whistles are distinguished. The latter are also known as Galton whistles, named after their inventor. The whistle of these models is only perceptible to the dog at high frequencies.
Material: Plastic, metal, wood, or horn are among the most commonly used materials for dog whistles.
Frequency of the dog whistle: Not all dogs react the same to certain tones. Your task is to find the right frequency. Simply try out different whistles or frequencies.
Tones: Trill whistles always produce only one tone; some ultrasonic whistles allow you to produce different whistles.
Range: When making a purchase, pay attention to the range so that your dog can hear the tone.
Weight and equipment: Depending on the material, dog whistles have different weights. Many come with a lanyard that you can hang around your neck.

Trill or ultrasonic whistle – which is better?

This question cannot be answered so clearly because it is a matter of habit or personal preference which dog whistle you use to train your dog.

A trill whistle is audible to both dog and human, allowing you to control the whistle tone. However, your fellow humans will also hear the whistle. Some tones from ultrasonic dog whistles are only audible to the four-legged friends, so your environment will hardly hear your dog recall. Humans can only perceive sounds up to a frequency of 20,000 Hertz; dogs, however, up to a frequency of 50,000 Hertz. Most ultrasonic dog whistles have a frequency range between 16,000 and 22,000 Hertz.

With some ultrasonic whistles, you can also adjust the frequency, making it possible to customize it to your dog.
Regardless of which dog whistle you choose, you should definitely stick with one model once introduced. This guarantees that you always use the same tone or frequency to which your dog is conditioned.

Tip:

Opt for a dog whistle from a reputable manufacturer: This increases the likelihood that you can still buy the same model years later. It is also worth considering buying several whistles of the same type in case one gets lost. Keep in mind that if you switch to a different whistle type, you may need to start training all over again.

Training Your Dog with a Whistle

In essence, all commands for your dog, like “Sit!”, “Down!”, or “Stop!”, can be conditioned with a dog whistle. However, the most important whistle command is undoubtedly “Here!” or “Come!” as this is the signal you’ll need the most during walks and playtime with other dogs, and it must work over longer distances.

10 Tips for Whistle Training

Any dog can learn whistle commands, but it’s best to condition your puppy or young dog with the whistle from the start. This way, the animal gets to know the whistle from the beginning.
For older dogs or those from shelters, patience, calmness, endurance, and consistency are key. Your efforts will pay off after a certain time, making your dog walks much more relaxed!
Start whistle training step by step, initially at home where there are few distractions for the dog.
Whistle training should only use positive reinforcement: the dog receives a treat or a play session as a reward. The choice is yours.
Decide on the recall signal you want to use: a single long whistle or perhaps four short consecutive signals? Basically, it doesn’t matter which whistle command you choose.
Remain consistent with the chosen tone or sequence, and use the whistle only for training purposes, not just for fun!
Don’t introduce different commands simultaneously; it’s best to start with the recall command. Once that’s established, you can train other dog commands with the whistle.
Don’t demand too much from your dog all at once. Be patient and practice with him at home for a few weeks longer before moving on to field trials.
If your dog doesn’t respond to the whistle signal and doesn’t come back to you outside, don’t scold him; instead, take a step back in training. Impatient whistling is generally off-limits!
The dog whistle is not a toy for children. Explain to your kids that this whistle is exclusively for your four-legged friend and should only be used when he needs to come.

Your dog will need about three or four weeks to get used to a whistle command. Adult or older dogs typically require a bit more time.

Step-by-Step: A Guide to Whistle Training

Proceed with whistle training as follows:

When your dog is next to you, blow the whistle. He will usually react to the sound and look at you questioningly. Then, immediately give him a special treat. It should be something he really desires, like a stuffed chew, dry meat, or a piece of sausage.
Advance the exercise by whistling when your dog is distracted. Initially, use the whistle only in low-distraction situations, later on, use it in stronger distraction scenarios, such as when playing with another dog. Every time your dog comes to you, he receives a reward.
Practice with your dog in different situations, environments, and at different times of the day.
Always use the same and clear whistle tone.

If your dog gets excited as soon as you bring the whistle to your mouth, then you’re both doing it right.

Tip: A treat here, a treat there… Remember to subtract the daily treat portion from your dog’s meals to avoid overfeeding.

The Most Common Mistakes in Whistle Training

Like any dog training, there are failures and errors with whistle training. However, don’t let this discourage you. The most common sources of errors include these four:

Moving too quickly in training: Before using the recall whistle in situations with strong distractions, it should work reliably.
Negative association with recall: Your dog is playing happily or sniffing relaxedly. Then he hears the whistle, comes back, and gets leashed. No wonder your pet might think twice next time. Instead of leashing him immediately after the recall, let him play, run, or sniff again.
Incorrect reward: Insufficiently appealing or consistently the same reward can also lead to frustration with more demanding dogs.
Incorrect tone: Using a different tone each time confuses your dog, and he won’t learn the command reliably.

With a whistle, recalling your dog becomes effortless. Therefore, it’s worth persevering and diligently training commands with the dog whistle!