How to Use a Dog Whistle

It's an interesting idea, a sound that only your dog will hear. Dog whistles have been around for many years, and some trainers swear by them, while others don't use them at all. The whistles operate by emitting a high-pitched frequency that human ears cannot hear, but dogs can. Keep a few techniques in mind when training with a dog whistle.

Instructions

1. Blow on the whistle and listen. You will hear air rushing through the small opening. What you are hearing is only a secondary sound made by the air forced through the metal tubing; the actual whistle is inaudible to your ears.

2. Adjust the whistle to your own dog. Even dogs can't hear all frequencies. Wait until he is asleep and gently blow on the whistle. Your whistle has a nut and screw that adjust the frequency when turned. Continue testing until your dog perks up. You will then know you have reached a frequency he can hear.

3. Use the dog whistle with varying sequences to train your dog. For example, one long burst can mean "come," while a series of short, staccato bursts might mean "sit." Keep your whistle commands consistent and your dog will always know what you expect of him.

4. Buy more than one whistle if you have more than one dog and they respond to different frequencies. Label them so you won't get them confused and keep them where you can reach them quickly. Be sure to use the correct one for each dog.

5. Choose from a variety of sizes. Some whistles are small enough to attach to a key chain, and others are quite large. There is no appreciable difference in sizes except for your own preference.