When you think about a dog whistle, probably the first thing that springs to mind is the silent dog whistle. These kinds of whistles have been used in older comedies and cartoons as comical elements, but in fact, the most common dog whistle is one that both humans and dogs can all hear. Silent ones do exist, but they aren’t that popular.
So, if you’re on the lookout for a dog whistle, you’re either a hunter or are looking for an alternative method for training your dog. We’ve done the work for you and have developed reviews of 10 of the best dog whistles, both silent and loud. Hopefully, this will help you find the perfect whistle for your needs.
The best overall dog whistle is the PetSpy Dog Training Whistle. You get two whistles that each come with a lanyard cord, so you can wear them around your neck, and they are at a good price. This whistle can be heard by everyone, so it shouldn’t hurt your dog’s ears. They are also small enough (3 inches) to fit in your pocket and are made of a durable and safe material.
The main flaw with these whistles is that they aren’t as loud as some other whistles, and some dogs might not respond to them.
The best dog whistle for the money is the Remington Pea Dog Whistle. This whistle is durable, holds up well in cold weather, and is designed to never freeze. It’s also quite loud, so your dog should definitely hear it. It is in a traditional whistle shape, making it easier to hold for most people, and the pea will enable you to create different sounds.
The problem with this whistle is that since it has a pea, it would work best for recall, particularly for hunters, and not so much for training.
The Remington Jet Dog Whistle is our pick for premium choice because it produces a loud but high-pitched sound that is practically silent for most people. It’s made with sturdy plastic that is in a shape that makes it easy to hold and use. It has vents that produce the sound on the top, which also means it won’t be accidentally muffled.
The cons with this whistle are that it is expensive and that since it’s essentially a silent whistle, you shouldn’t use it too close to your dog to avoid hurting their ears.
The Hivernou Dog Whistle is an ultrasonic whistle, so you won’t hear it when in use. You can adjust the frequency by turning a screw and then locking it in place when you find the right pitch for your pup. The different frequencies also come in handy for training purposes. It comes with a lanyard strap, so you can wear it around your neck for easy access. It also has a black protective cover with a keychain ring that you can put the whistle into when it’s not in use.
The only disadvantage of this whistle is that it’s expensive.
Pros
Silent whistle
Frequency is adjustable
Comes with a lanyard strap so it can be worn around the neck
The SportDOG Brand Roy Gonia Special Whistle is geared for hunters, though of course, anyone can use it. It’s made from sturdy plastic and is designed for use outdoors, so it won’t freeze in colder weather. It comes with a keyring connector so you can attach it to anything, and it doesn’t have a pea, so this whistle will not trill.
However, sometimes these whistles might arrive with a pea even though they are advertised as not having one. Also, you might need to blow really hard to get a loud enough sound.
Pros
Inexpensive
Works well outdoors — won’t freeze in cold weather
The Acme Dog Whistle 535 is a high-frequency whistle, so it’s silent for humans but not for your dog (although some people can hear it). The frequency is adjustable so you can figure out the perfect range for your dog, and it’s effective for up to 2 miles. It comes with a cap for storing your whistle that’s attached by a chain so you can’t lose it. It’s also small and skinny enough to fit in your pocket (3 inches long and ¼ inch wide).
Unfortunately, this whistle is expensive, and sometimes the cap that comes with it doesn’t fit properly. It’s been known to get stuck while it’s on.
The Weebo Pets Stainless Steel Dog Whistle is a 4-inch dog whistle that comes with a cap attached by a chain. This is an inexpensive dog whistle that enables you to adjust the pitch, which can be locked in with a locking mechanism. While it is considered ultrasonic, many humans can hear it but it’s not too loud.
The problem with this product is that it doesn’t come with instructions. It can be confusing, especially for anyone new to using dog whistles. It also might break, hence the price.
SportDOG Brand’s Competition Mega Whistle is kind of like a megaphone whistle. It’s designed to direct the sound of the whistle forward, so it shouldn’t bother your ears as much. It has a mouthpiece that makes it easy to blow and has a keychain ring connector. It’s fairly loud, but the sound is directed away from your ears.
The issue with this whistle is that while it can be loud, it takes a great deal of air and hard blowing to get the volume. You might find it to be not loud enough in general.
The Acme Black Whistle 210.5 is available in many other colors, such as blue, lime green, brown, and yellow. The price varies depending on the color. Otherwise, this is a basic whistle with one tone and is easy to blow. The number 210.5 refers to the frequency at which Acme whistles are set, and this particular one tends to work best for dogs like Spaniels and Retrievers. It also comes with a keychain ring.
The disadvantage is that it is just one frequency, so you can’t change it if this doesn’t work for your dog. Also, since it is audible to humans as well, you might find the sound annoying or even uncomfortable.
Pros
Multiple colors
One tone only
Easy to blow
Frequency is meant for spaniels and retrievers
Cons
Can’t adjust the frequency
Sound might irritate you
10. Boulder Bluff (BB) Shepherds Plastic Lip Dog Whistle
The Boulder Bluff Shepherds Plastic Lip Dog Whistle is a different kind of whistle. It’s designed for shepherds for giving commands to shepherding dogs. That said, if you can learn how to use it, it could work to train almost any dog. You place it in your mouth, and using your tongue, you can produce quite a range of different pitches.
However, it can be tricky to learn, and it doesn’t come with instructions and will take a great deal of practice. It’s also quite loud, so you’ll probably only want to use it outside.
Pros
Used by professional shepherds for sheepherding dogs
Can produce a variety of pitches with the tongue
Works for any dog
Cons
No instructions and tricky to learn
Quite loud, so only for use outside
Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Best Dog Whistle
Using a dog whistle can sometimes make your life easier. It can save your voice from yelling over long distances as a whistle tone can carry for up to 2 miles in some cases!
But before you settle on a dog whistle, check out this buyer’s guide. We go over important points that can help you better understand the world of dog whistles.
Pea or No Pea
Whistles of all shapes and sounds can have a hard, small ball inside, which enables them to trill. You can usually hear it rattling around inside when you shake it, and you can even see it in some whistles. Depending on how fast or slow you blow into the whistle, the pea can produce different sounds.
On the downside, it can sometimes prevent the sound from traveling a long distance, and your saliva can even freeze them in place on cold days. Overall, pealess whistles tend to work better for dogs because they are louder and the sound carries much better, and the sound itself is consistent.
Silent Whistles
Silent whistles are also known as ultrasonic. With these whistles, it’s all about finding the right frequency that your dog will respond to. If you blow on one of these whistles and your dog doesn’t seem to respond, it probably isn’t the right frequency, so keep adjusting and trying. If you think that the whistle doesn’t work, you might just need extra time and perseverance.
Also, keep in mind that while these are called silent whistles, some people will still hear them, depending on how sensitive their hearing is. These whistles also work quite well for more nervous or skittish dogs because they aren’t as loud and startling. These whistles don’t work well over long distances, though, and might not be effective for deaf dogs. But they are ideal for training your dog in areas where you don’t want to annoy your neighbors.
Training
One more consideration is that purchasing a dog whistle doesn’t automatically mean your dog will instantly listen and come running or stop barking. Some might, but there usually needs to be training involved. If you’re familiar with clicker training, it’s the same concept. You need to decide on different kinds of whistles for different commands. For example, you can teach your dog that two short blasts mean “come.” It will take time, patience, and plenty of rewards and praise, just like with any training. There are many videos online that go over methods that you can use.
Conclusion
The PetSpy Dog Training Whistle is our overall favorite dog whistle. You get two whistles that each come with a lanyard cord so you can conveniently wear them around your neck. The Remington Pea Dog Whistle is durable and holds up well in cold weather, so it won’t freeze, and it’s for an excellent price. Lastly, our premium choice whistle is the Remington Jet Dog Whistle. It produces a loud but high-pitched sound that most people won’t hear, and it has vents on the top so it won’t be accidentally muffled.
We hope that these reviews of 10 dog whistles have helped you to figure out which kind of whistle might be the right fit for you and your dog. If you try one and it doesn’t work, you can try another — sometimes you just need to shop around until you find the right one.
Kathryn was a librarian in a previous lifetime and is currently a writer about all things pets. When she was a child, she hoped to work in zoos or with wildlife in some way, thanks to her all-consuming love for animals. Unfortunately, she's not strong in the sciences, so she fills her days with researching and writing about all kinds of animals and spends time playing with her adorable but terribly naughty tabby cat, Bella. Kathryn is hoping to add to her family in the near future – maybe another cat and a dog....Read more
