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.
Image | 1 ![]() ACME | 2 ![]() ACME | 3 ![]() Fitness Health | 4 ![]() ACME | 5 ![]() Fox | 6 ![]() SimplyNatural | 7 ![]() Storm | 8 ![]() kuou | 9 ![]() Ancol | 10 ![]() Mikki |
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Name | Silent Dog Whistle 535 | Dog Whistle 210.5 | Plastic Whistle with Lanyard | Thunderer No. 58 | Classic CMG Whistle | Ultrasonic Copper Core Dog Whistle | All-Weather Safety Whistle | 2 Pcs Dog Training Whistles with Lanyard | Constant Frequency Pro Whistle | 2-in-1 High Pitched Whistle Clicker |
Features | The Most Recommended Ultrasonic Whistle With a Lifetime Warranty | Offers a High Pitch That's Sufficiently Loud for Dogs but Quiet for Humans | Low-Pitched and Ideal for Larger Breeds or Older Dogs | A Top-Quality Pea Whistle Perfect for Long Range Trills | Ultra-Comfortable for Use Over Extended Periods of Time | An Ultrasonic Whistle With an Adjustable Frequency Range | The Loudest Whistle on the Market for Long-Distance Training | A High-Frequency Set Perfect for Smaller Dogs | A Metal Whistle That Promises a Consistent Frequency | 2-in-1 Training Accessory for Dual-Purpose Training |
Price | £10.87 | £8.96 | £2.99 | £15.50 | £14.80 | £5.71 | £18.00 | £5.29 | £3.10 | £5.79 |
Whistle Type | Ultrasonic | Pealess | Pea whistle | Pea whistle | Pealess | Ultrasonic | Pealess | Pealess | Pealess | Pealess |
Frequency Range | 5,800 - 12,400 Hz | 5900 Hz | Low pitch | - | - | Adjustable | 3150 Hz | High frequency | - | High frequency |
Material | Metal (solid brass with nickel plating) | Plastic | Plastic | Metal (chrome-plated brass) | Plastic | Metal with copper core | Plastic | Plastic | Metal | Plastic |
Extras | Whistle cover, chain with keyring | Keyring and strap | Lanyard | Keyring | Cushioned mouth grip, lanyard | Lanyard and whistle cover | None | Keyrings and lanyards | Keyring and ball chain | 2-in-1 clicker and whistle |
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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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This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£10.87
Whistle Type | Ultrasonic |
---|---|
Frequency Range | 5,800 - 12,400 Hz |
Material | Metal (solid brass with nickel plating) |
Extras | Whistle cover, chain with keyring |
£8.96
Whistle Type | Pealess |
---|---|
Frequency Range | 5900 Hz |
Material | Plastic |
Extras | Keyring and strap |
£2.99
Whistle Type | Pea whistle |
---|---|
Frequency Range | Low pitch |
Material | Plastic |
Extras | Lanyard |
£15.50
Whistle Type | Pea whistle |
---|---|
Frequency Range | - |
Material | Metal (chrome-plated brass) |
Extras | Keyring |
£14.80
Whistle Type | Pealess |
---|---|
Frequency Range | - |
Material | Plastic |
Extras | Cushioned mouth grip, lanyard |
£5.71
Whistle Type | Ultrasonic |
---|---|
Frequency Range | Adjustable |
Material | Metal with copper core |
Extras | Lanyard and whistle cover |
£18.00
Whistle Type | Pealess |
---|---|
Frequency Range | 3150 Hz |
Material | Plastic |
Extras | None |
£5.29
Whistle Type | Pealess |
---|---|
Frequency Range | High frequency |
Material | Plastic |
Extras | Keyrings and lanyards |
£3.10
Whistle Type | Pealess |
---|---|
Frequency Range | - |
Material | Metal |
Extras | Keyring and ball chain |
£5.79
Whistle Type | Pealess |
---|---|
Frequency Range | High frequency |
Material | Plastic |
Extras | 2-in-1 clicker and whistle |
Written and researched by Dodo Wang
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