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If you’re contemplating using a dog whistle to train your pup, I’m here to help. I give you some guidance on when and how to use a dog whistle effectively, tips on how to whistle-train your pup, teach you what dog whistles do, explain dog whistle Hz frequency, and share top picks for the best dog training whistles.
| Best Silent | Best Audible With Pea | Best Audible Pealess |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| Acme 535 | SportDog Roy Gonia | Acme 212 |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
What Is A Dog Whistle, And Do You Need One?
When most people think of a dog whistle, they immediately think of the silent kind that only dogs can hear. In reality, this is perhaps the least common type of whistle to use with dogs.
Most dog whistles create a loud sound that you can hear clearly. Similar to a referee’s whistle. By blowing into the whistle, you can create unique sounds. With training, your dog will associate the different sounds with commands.
For example, a long blow from the whistle can tell your dog to sit, while two short bursts will let her know to return. Learn more about recall training your pup in our guide.
The Benefits Of A Dog Whistle
Many expert dog trainers and hunters rely on dog whistles. And it’s easy to see why. Using a whistle to issue commands has a number of advantages over using your voice.
- Save your voice – After a long day of yelling commands at my dog, my voice becomes hoarse and raspy. Puffing on a whistle is much less straining.
- Sounds unique – There is no mistaking the blow of a whistle. Your dog won’t confuse one command with another.
- The sound carries – Even if your dog is running off into the distance, the blast from a whistle can easily be heard. Good luck yelling that far!
- Use in any weather – The sound of a dog whistle is loud enough to overcome wind, rain, and crashing waves.
As you probably guessed, the above features make the whistle a perfect tool to recall your dog. The unique sound travels and can be heard from long distances, so your dog will come running no matter how far away she is.
Hunters often use whistles for their gun dogs. The clear, crisp sound can be heard through trees and over bad weather. Now, dog whistles are by no means an essential doggy product. After all, your voice can also issue commands. But if you feel you would benefit from any of the above advantages that a dog whistle offers, grab a dog whistle.
Note: Dog whistles are loud. With the exception of silent dog whistles, all the whistles we tested were. Any long-term exposure to loud sounds can damage your hearing. While a casual dog owner likely won’t use a whistle often enough to cause major damage, we recommend ear protection when using dog training whistles.
When And How To Use A Dog Whistle
A dog whistle can be a great tool for getting your pup to follow your commands, especially across long distances or noisy areas. While they’re commonly used for herding, hunting, and police dogs, dog training whistles are also helpful for many pet parents for everyday purposes. They can help get your dog to stop barking, recall, modify undesirable behaviors, and train obedience.
What Does Hz Mean For Dog Whistles?
Hertz, or Hz, is a measurement of frequency. Dogs hear at a higher frequency than we do and can detect sounds the human ear cannot. Humans cannot hear frequencies higher than 20,000 Hz, while canines can hear frequencies as high as 65,000 Hz. They also hear sounds at lower frequencies in a different way than we do and have a higher sensitivity to them.
What Dog Whistle Frequency Is Most Effective?
The frequency that works best is not the same for all dogs. Some will respond to lower frequencies better and vice versa. Starting out with a lower frequency is best, as you don’t want to hurt your pup’s ears. You can always increase the frequency if it isn’t effective. Try to pick one your pup can hear from about 200 yards away. Most whistles available start at around 20,000 Hz.
Types Of Dog Whistles
There are two basic types of dog whistles: audible and silent. Silent whistles are soundless or much quieter to humans but not to dogs.
1. Audible Dog Whistles
These kinds of whistles are more traditional. Many people find audible whistles more effective because you can easily hear the whistle blasts. Some audible dog whistles have a ball inside of them (called a pea or pearl) that allows you to make more sound variations, like trills. This can be helpful if you want to assign commands to different sounds rather than just the number of whistle blows. However, it’s important to know that the pea freezes up in cold weather, making the whistle useless. See an example of a pea whistle below.
A pealess whistle is basically the same thing, except it doesn’t have a pea or pearl. See the example below. Because there is nothing to obstruct the airflow, pealess dog whistles are considerably louder. In fact, some pealess whistles are so loud that they can be heard from two miles away.
But what makes pealess whistles truly great for dog training is their sound. No matter how hard or soft you blow, they produce the same pitch. Without the need to squeeze a pea into the design, pealess whistles come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Some look like a regular whistle, while others are little more than a flat rectangle.
As you might have guessed, the trend among professional dog trainers we interviewed was that most prefer the pealess variety. Gun dog owners, however, were split down the middle. Many used the trill of a pea whistle to issue additional commands to the dog. Others preferred the pealess dog whistles, retelling stories of how their dogs could hear the whistle over a mile away through dense woods – even on a windy day.
Note: Pea and pealess whistles look identical to each other. In fact, many brands offer the same model of whistle with or without the pea. Read the description carefully if you have a preference.
2. Silent Or Ultrasonic Dog Whistles
Silent dog whistles use higher “ultrasonic” frequencies that are loud and easy for dogs to hear. While silent dog whistles may be better to use in dog parks or when you’re around other people, remember that most silent whistles aren’t entirely silent for humans. They’re just not as loud to the human ear as audible whistles. Depending on how sensitive your hearing is, you may still hear a quiet sound, like air escaping a car tire.
Ultrasonic Dog Whistles look nothing like a traditional dog whistle. In fact, they look more like a pen than a whistle. This unique shape allows ultrasonic whistles to make a sound like no other. If you are looking for a dog whistle that won’t annoy those standing nearby or even your neighbors, then an ultrasonic whistle checks that box.
Because the sound isn’t as obnoxious, we noticed that ultrasonic dog whistles were a better option for easily startled dogs. During testing, we observed that scared dogs didn’t jump or flinch like they did when louder whistles were blown.
Ultrasonic dog whistles are better for around the home or in short-distance dog training. The sound doesn’t carry as well as a traditional whistle, and your dog may find it difficult to hear over wind and other noises. By the way, all ultrasonic dog whistles are pealess.
Note: A select few people can actually hear the tone that an ultrasonic whistle produces. However, this is highly uncommon – most won’t hear a noise at all.
Best Dog Training Whistles
I’ve chosen my top picks based on each whistle’s quality, performance, and user feedback.
Best Silent: Acme 535 Silent Dog Whistle Review
If you’re looking for the best silent dog whistle, the Acme 535 is a top contender. It has an adjustable frequency, between 5,800Hz and 12,400Hz, that you set with the pitch register. This is done by twisting the base of the whistle. As the whistle extends, the frequency gets louder. It may take some trial and error, but eventually, you’ll find the perfect pitch for your dog.
While it’s not very audible for humans, dogs can hear it up to 400 yards away. I noticed that the higher pitch worked better at longer distances. I was impressed with how well the sound traveled out in the open. On a still day, my dog could hear the whistle from 550 yards away. Windier days dramatically reduced the range. It seems that the sound a silent dog whistle makes doesn’t carry as well over strong winds. On one particularly gusty day, my dog wouldn’t respond at any distance greater than 50 yards.
As you might have guessed, this makes the Acme 535 unsuitable for long-distance recall while hunting. But it’s perfect for dog training in an open field or closer. All our doggy testers came running every time we blew this silent whistle, except one. That one was Molly, a partially deaf senior Beagle, who failed to respond to any of our attempts with the whistle.
Made of solid brass and nickel plating, it’s much more durable than plastic whistles. I also think it’s one of the best dog whistles to stop barking.
The whistle also has a protective cap with a chain to the base to avoid getting lost. The cap stops the whistle from gunking up, keeping the mouthpiece clean and hygienic when not in use. A handy feature – this whistle is going in your mouth, after all.
The cap snaps on like the lid of a marker. With the cap connected, the Acme 535 looks like a bracelet. It can clip onto your keychain or loop onto your dog training pouch, keeping the silent whistle on hand when you need it.
The Acme 535 is the Rolls Royce of silent dog whistles. If you want a silent whistle for your dog, this is as good as it gets. Our team of testers highly recommends it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-quality material | Expensive for a dog whistle |
| It can be heard 400 yards away | Cap doesn’t stay on well |
| Adjustable frequency to fit what works best with your dog | |
| The cap is attached to keep the mouthpiece clean |
Price
Best Audible With Pea: SportDOG Brand Roy Gonia Special Whistle Review
The SportDog Roy Gonia whistle has been the go-to dog whistle in Retriever training for years. It is still commonly used in field dog training and by professional dog trainers. It has a lower-pitched, pea “trill” sound that carries across a good distance. And the pea design gives you more sound variations.
You can also opt for the SportDog whistle without a pea if you prefer a higher-pitched, no-trill sound that’s excellent for puppies and close-range training. And it won’t freeze in cold weather.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy-to-blow design | Pea freezes in very cold weather |
| Low-pitch sound is easy for a trainer to hear | Some customer complaints that it’s not loud enough |
| More sound variations | |
| Has a key ring/lanyard connector |
Price
Best Audible Without Pea: Acme 212 Dog Training Whistle Review
Another quality product, the Acme 212 pealess dog whistle, holds the same medium-pitch frequency no matter how hard you blow it. It’s excellent over long distances, making it one of the best dog whistles for recall. According to Acme, it works well with Pointers, Setters, Retrievers, and most Terriers. It’s also a great tool for harder-to-train dogs, heavy cover areas, and wind noise.
When using a whistle as a training marker instead of a clicker, it’s important that the sound remains constant. You want your dog to associate the sound of the whistle with the action you are training your dog to perform – and hearing the same sound makes this easier.
The pealess design of the Acme 212 whistle means that it will produce the exact same sound and medium pitch, no matter how hard or soft you blow. Of course, if you blow louder, it can be heard from a greater distance, but the tone is held even over the distance. This one is perfect for recall training!
The whistle is loud but not obnoxiously so. That’s exactly what makes this the perfect whistle for close-quarter training. It’s easier on the ears than the extreme volume of louder dog whistles.
Even so, the tone was easily heard over the wind when we were testing in an open field. Unsurprisingly, all our dogs could hear it and responded when we blew this whistle, even our hard-of-hearing Beagle tester.
Even though the Acme 212 is made entirely from plastic, it’s very durable. During testing, I accidentally dropped and stepped on it – it didn’t break. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Acme makes quality products, and like all their whistles, this one is made in the UK.
Available in a range of colors, I highly recommend choosing a brightly colored whistle. There was no losing the orange 212 we tested – the vibrant orange color was clearly visible in the grass.
Located at the base of the whistle is a ring that allows you to attach the Acme 212 to a lanyard. You will have to purchase a lanyard separately. But don’t put it off; hanging the whistle from a lanyard keeps it within easy reach during training.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent for recall | Not all dogs respond to this single-frequency whistle |
| Holds same frequency | |
| Medium-pitch sound is easy for trainers to hear but not too loud | |
| Made with very durable plastic |
Price
Extra Loud Whistle: All Weather Storm Safety Whistle Review
I made the mistake of blowing the All Weather Storm Safety Whistle in my apartment. The sound it produced was deafening. Not only did I scare the fur off my own pup, but I managed to set off every other dog in the entire apartment complex – they wouldn’t stop barking.
This whistle is aggressively loud! In fact, in our loudness test, it beat out every other whistle!
I’m going to be straight up with you… This whistle is so loud that most of you will never need it. The only reason you want a whistle this loud for dog training is for extreme long-distance recall – it can be heard from miles away. Unless you own acreage or your dog often roams for miles, then check out my earlier recommendations. They are considerably more user-friendly for closer training, where a whistle this loud can startle dogs.
But if you want loud, then this is it. I had my husband blow this 1.5 miles into a trail hike. Both my dog and I could easily hear the sound it gave off. It’s shocking just how well the sound carries from this whistle. The sound pierces through all other noises. Wind, rain, noisy birds – nature is no match for the thunderous sound that the Storm Whistle produces.
We spoke to one dog owner who lives in rural Nebraska and swears by this whistle. She uses it to recall her dogs, who often roam in the woods surrounding her property. When it’s dinnertime, she gives a couple of blows on the whistle, and they come running – sometimes, they are so far away that it takes a few minutes for them to reach her. If you want loud, then the Storm Whistle delivers. Your dog will be able to hear you from miles away. Like with any loud dog whistle, we highly recommend using ear protection.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All weather use | Too loud to use inside or in populated areas |
| Extremely loud | It may be too startling for anxious dogs |
| Sound travels well over long distances | Larger size makes it less easy to carry around |
| Great for large properties or rural areas | Not specifically a dog training whistle |
| Good emergency whistle |
Price
What About Fox & Coachi?
Here are some other top picks for the best dog whistles, whether you need a more affordable silent whistle or a loud, audible whistle.
Fox 40 CMG Mini Whistle Review
If you plan on using a whistle for recall when you’re hiking, camping, hunting, or other wilderness activities, you’ll need a loud whistle, like the Fox CMG Mini, that can cut through dense woods, the sound of streams, high winds, etc. This pealess whistle produces 115 decibels of high-pitched sound that your dog can hear up to a mile away. It even works well when it gets wet in the rain.
The Fox 40 CMG Mini is an improved version of the Fox 40 whistle you see referees use in the NBA and NFL. CMG stands for cushioned mouth grip. The mouth grip makes the whistle more comfortable to hold in your mouth for long periods of time – it also protects the plastic whistle from bite marks!
It’s worth mentioning that the Fox 40 CMG Mini has a smaller mouthpiece than the Fox 40 CMG. We recommend the Mini because 9 of our 10 testers found the slightly smaller mouthpiece easier to hold and blow.
Don’t be fooled by the small size because this whistle is loud. The Fox 40 CMG Mini produces an intense, high-pitch whistle. The whistle’s shrill penetrates deep into the woods and can be heard even when you have no line of sight of your dog.
Many owners praise this whistle for its ability to be heard over howling winds and crashing waves. If you are struggling to be heard over the elements, then this is the whistle for you. I tested the whistle in the woods of Upstate New York. The Fox 40 CMG Mini was one of the few whistles our Labrador Retriever testers could hear when running in the water on a windy day – it would be great for duck dogs.
Because it’s pealess, the tone produced is constant, and there are no moving parts to jam, even in freezing weather. And if you live in a rainy state, you’ll be happy to know that the Fox 40 CMG Mini can be blown even when wet – although the distance our dogs could hear the whistle from was greatly reduced in the rain.
Closer to home, the Fox 40 CMG Mini whistle could be easily heard at the local park situated near a busy highway. It shouldn’t surprise you that this isn’t the right whistle for you if your dog is easily startled. It’s also loud enough that you’ll annoy your neighbors if you blow it in built-up areas.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Loud whistle – best for wilderness use | Too loud to use in populated areas |
| Dogs can hear up to a mile away | It may be too startling for anxious dogs |
| Cushioned mouthpiece | |
| Compact, lightweight design | |
| Comes with a breakaway neck lanyard |
Price
Coachi Whizzclick 2-In-1 Dog Whistle Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy
The Coachi Whizzclick combines a whistle and clicker to give you a versatile training tool. A veterinarian designed it, and it can be used with all dogs over eight weeks old. The whistle helps with recall, and the clicker option is great for learning tricks and reward-based training. The whistle travels well, and dogs can hear it from far away. The lanyard is adjustable for your neck or wrist, making it easy to carry.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable design | Limited range compared to the Acme 535 |
| Whistle and clicker tool | Cannot change frequency |
| Comes with an adjustable neck/wrist lanyard | |
| Good for recall and reward training |
Price
Our Testing Process
At Canine Journal, we take reviewing darn seriously. We are dog fanatics and honestly believe that our dogs are the most important thing in life. Because of this, we would never recommend a product that we wouldn’t happily use with our own pups.
That’s why we thoroughly tested every dog whistle featured in this guide. By the end of the process, we spent a combined 150+ hours researching, testing, and reviewing the most popular (and even some unpopular) dog whistles on the market.
Rounding Up The Dog Whistles
It all started with choosing which dog whistles to test. As we soon learned, there is a wide range of dog whistles on the market. With hundreds of whistles to choose from, we had to narrow down our selection.
Adding to the confusion, many of the most effective whistles are not marketed as dog whistles at all. In fact, many of the most popular dog whistles are referee whistles or extremely loud whistles marketed as survival whistles. After hours of research and interviews, we narrowed down our selection to about 25 different whistles. With our list complete, it was time to go shopping. Yep, at Canine Journal, we buy every product at the exact same price you would pay.
How We Tested The Dog Whistles
Since whistles are used to train dogs, it makes sense to test each whistle while training a dog, right? I took advantage of this to work on training and learn about which whistles work the best. Let me introduce you to my training buddy, Harper, a German Shepherd and Border Collie mix.
I’m going to be straight up. Harper’s recall sucks. When I yell for her to come back, it’s a coin flip as to whether or not she will return or not. Well, that’s all changed now. Who knew a whistle, treats, and training were everything I needed to turn this disobedient pup into a well-behaved pooch?
To confirm the whistle’s effectiveness, we had 10 users review each whistle and give their opinion. We also brought in the help of two dog trainers to provide their expert opinions. These trainers already used whistles daily. Between the two, they train hundreds of dogs weekly, giving us a broad testing group to see how each whistle performed. We went further and interviewed many hunters who use dog whistles for activities like retrieving ducks and flushing game out of hiding.
Each whistle was tested for the following:
- Ease-of-use – How easy was the whistle to hold in the mouth and blow?
- Distance – How far did the sound of the whistle carry?
- Strength – How well did the whistle overcome the wind?
- Loudness – We used a decibel meter to determine how loud each whistle was.
- Durability – Each whistle was dropped on a concrete floor and stepped on with a rubber-soled shoe.
- Response – Did dogs respond to the whistle in real-world use?
Each of these factors contributed to which dog whistles we recommend. Our top picks excel in all these areas.
How To Whistle Train A Dog
The key to using a dog whistle is getting your dog to associate verbal commands like sit, stay, stop, and come with a distinct whistle blow — either a different sound or a series of repetitive blows. The most common dog training whistle commands are one blast for “sit” and three blasts for “come” or “here,” but you can set your own. Just remember to be consistent.
Has Your Dog Mastered Verbal Commands?
First, ensure your dog responds to and obeys your voice commands correctly and quickly. If your dog hasn’t mastered the commands you plan to use, you’ll have to work on every command until he does.
Choose Your Whistle Frequency
Dogs respond differently to different frequencies. So, if you’re using a silent whistle with an adjustable frequency, you’ll need to pick a frequency that works best for your dog. The easiest way to do this is to test your whistle frequency on your pup while she’s sleeping. If she wakes up when you blow the whistle, it’s a good indication that she’ll respond to it when awake.
It’s Time To Whistle Train
- Start slowly in an area without many distractions, like in your home or yard.
- Begin by saying the verbal command, using your chosen whistle sound, and then repeating the verbal command.
- When your dog responds correctly, reward them with lots of praise and a treat.
- Repeat this process as many times as needed, gradually phasing out the verbal command.
- You’ll want to work on one command at a time until your pup has it down, and then you can move on to the next command.
Do you have a dog training whistle you want to recommend? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments. You can also head over to our online forum to connect with other dog owners and experts.
How You Blow Your Whistle Matters (Video)
Check out this quick tip from a dog behavioral expert on blowing your whistle to get your pup’s urgent attention.
Should I Use A Dog Whistle Or Sonic Training Device For Barking?
If your goal is to stop your dog from barking incessantly, training with a dog whistle or an anti-barking sonic training device can help. Sonic anti-bark devices are typically hand-held devices where you push a button to alert your dog to stop barking. The training with this type of device is similar to whistle training, where you have to teach your dog to understand that you want him to stop barking when you press the button on the device.
These devices typically have a narrow ultrasonic frequency, so it’s hit or miss whether your dog responds to the one you choose. If you want to try one out, I recommend the LvLrister UB100 Ultrasonic Dog Bark Control Device.
You may also want to consider a no-bark collar, which uses a response such as a beep, vibration, or static stimulation to help train dogs not to bark.
More Dog Training Tips
Training your dog is one of the most important things you can do to have a well-behaved and happy pup. Ultimately, it makes your life much easier in the long run and creates a strong bond between you and your dog. Whistle training is only one of many methods you can use to train your pup. Check out all the advice and tips Canine Journal has for training your pup, whether you want to train your dog yourself or find professional dog training. You can also consider online dog training, which offers a combination of professional advice that you can work on at your own pace. Want to train your dog with a clicker or bell instead? Check out our guides on the best dog clickers and how to bell-train your dog.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Sally has over 20 years of experience in human health sciences communications, including 10 years as an expert on pet health conditions and treatment. She’s part of a team of dedicated canine professionals and long-time dog owners at Canine Journal. We test and research the best pet products, not only for our own pups but for all of our readers.
