Do dog whistles actually work?
Justen Stoltenberg
2025-06-28 20:32:10
Count answers: 15
Dogs respond to even the quietest of whistles because they hear at a much higher frequency than humans. Dogs hear sound frequencies at least three times as high compared to people. It may seem as if dogs react to a noise that's not there when, in reality, they're highly sensitive to something we can't hear. You may have to try out a few different types of whistles to see which one offers you the range of sounds you (and your dog) prefer. Start by learning how to use the whistle properly and then play around with the sounds to figure out which tones will work for which commands. According to researchers at Psychology Today, the advantage of this type of whistle is that these sound signals travel farther than the human voice and, therefore, can reach dogs at farther distances. A dog whistle won't harm your dog when used properly. Don't use the whistle close to their ears, and avoid blowing it at full strength. As with any behavior training, using a dog whistle consistently and patiently is the key to success.
Christopher Wintheiser
2025-06-28 18:07:30
Count answers: 12
It is important to note that these whistles are NOT silent. They emit a tone of around 35,000Hz, which is indiscernible to humans, but piercing to a dog. Nevertheless, to a dog, this whistle is nothing more than an unconditioned stimulus. It cannot cure barking, howling, or excitement simply by using it. You still have to condition train the dog to respond to it using classical and/or operant conditioning. A dog whistle can be a great training tool for a dog, if used properly. Remember: without proper training, the dog whistle is just another sound in the world. Just like with other sounds, they will become desensitized to it and learn to ignore it over time, if not used properly. The number one tip when working with dog whistles is to not use them too frequently. If you abuse this training tool, it will become completely ineffective and cause discomfort for your dog.
Maurice Bergstrom
2025-06-28 17:43:44
Count answers: 3
Traditional dog whistles work by emitting frequencies that humans can hear. The effectiveness of these whistles also varies based on the breed and individual characteristics of the dog. Traditional whistles can still be effective for obedience training. Silent dog whistles are particularly ideal for training dogs with sensitive hearing as they provide a focused and targeted experience. However, it is important to note that using them requires proper technique due to their ultrasonic frequencies, which may not be heard by all dogs. Silent dog whistles prove effective for teaching recall commands and reinforcing obedience. Thanks to dogs' ability to hear high-frequency sounds, silent whistles serve as tools for conveying commands from a distance without the need to raise your voice. These whistles operate on frequencies that are beyond human hearing range but are easily detectable by dogs.
Read also
- Can I use a dog whistle to stop barking?
- Will a dog whistle stop my neighbour's dog barking?
- Can you buy a dog whistle to stop barking?
- What is the best command to stop a dog from barking?
- What can I do about a Neighbours dog constantly barking?
- What is the best thing to stop dog barking?
- How to ward off an aggressive dog?