We’ve all seen those whistles that make no sound to us while someone else trains a dog. It’s more common in some countries than in others, but the reason why they’re so popular it’s that they’re effective. The dog whistle works well in dog training. They work in a frequency that the human ear cannot hear. This is why they seem to make no sound to you, but dogs can hear it. Still, people worry about whether or not is bad for their dogs. After all, they can’t hear how loud it is.
So, does a dog whistle hurt dogs? A dog whistle does not hurt dogs if you blow it correctly. What causes pain to an animal’s ears is the volume and not the frequency. This means that a dog whistle will hurt if you blow it too loudly or if you do it too close to the dog’s ears. Otherwise, it’ll be an effective method to train your dog for various tasks.
Now, you do want to learn how to use to make sure that you’re not hurting your dog. Since you can’t hear the sound the whistle makes, you can’t tell other than from your dog’s reactions. And dogs don’t always react to pain in the way that we humans easily recognize.
So, if you do want to use this effective training method, it’s important to know more about it. This will ensure that you properly train your dog without hurting him. Just read everything below and you’ll be good to go.
It’s Not About Frequency
A dog whistle does not normally hurt dogs, but it can if it’s used incorrectly. The reason you can’t hear a dog’s whistle. and dogs can, is that they are sensitive to it. This is due to the frequency of the sound they make. The frequency is inaudible to human ears. For dogs, it’s unpleasant but it does not harm them or makes you cruel for using them.
Now, what you must be careful about is how you use it. As you’ll see it below, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it. The way that you use it determines whether or not you hurt your dog. That’s why it’s not about the frequency, otherwise, it wouldn’t matter how you use it. It would hurt dogs anyway.
To ensure that you’re not being the bad guy, remember that the only thing that the whistle does make is a sound that annoys them. That’s why it can be so effective in dog training.
So, don’t worry about it. You’re not hurting your dog when you use a dog whistle. It’s a very effective method to train your dog used by many professionals to get things done.
Make Sure To Start It Lightly
If you blow the whistle too hard, you may hurt your dog. Since you’re not listening to anything, it’s normal to get the impulse to blow it as hard as you can to try to listen to something. The point is that no matter how hard you blow it, you won’t listen to a thing. All it can happen is you making it too loud for your dog that it hurts their ears.
Now, the best thing that you can do to prevent this is to start with a beginner’s whistle. They’re harder to get too loud, so you’re less likely to hurt your dog’s ears with it. They’re almost as good as the ones used by professionals and are perfect for beginners that have no clue how to use it.
So, make sure that if you do go with whistles as a dog training method, pick a beginner’s one. They’re less likely to hurt your dog since it’s harder to make a sound that is too loud for your dog. The Ortz Dog Whistle is a great choice for a beginner’s dog whistle. Check it out here.
Do Never Blow The Whistle Too Close To Your Dog’s Ears
Another rule of thumb is the proximity. When something hurts an animal’s ears, it’s usually due to volume and distance from the sound source. This means that you should not only make sure to not blow the whistle too hard but also make sure that you don’t do it too close to your dog’s ears. This is what can hurt their ears.
Depending on how close you are to your dog’s ears, the high-frequency sound can seriously hurt their eardrums. That’s why you should blow it from a distance. Usually, if you blow it while you’re standing up, and you don’t blow too hard, it won’t cause any problems. As you can see it, it’s all about knowing what you’re doing.
So, make sure to not blow the whistle too close and too loud. If you get this right, a dog whistle will never hurt your dog. It can be the most effective dog training you’ve ever come across. It’s fast, effective, and efficient.
Some Whistles Are Safer Than Others
If you’re all about safety, there are many devices that you can use to ensure that things are done right. Many people do not want to specifically train their dogs. They just want to use the whistle to stop certain behaviors like barking too much. You must keep in mind that every dog will eventually bark. Now, when they overdo it, it’s annoying.
Some dogs bark too much for no reason. They’re preconditioned to the behavior due to something that they’ve learned throughout their lives. The best that you can do in this case is to use a device that will control the frequency, the volume, and the distance for you. This way, you don’t have to be the one to determine it.
So, consider getting an anti-barking electronic device that will emit a sound every time that your dog bark. This is the perfect solution to teach your dog to bark only when it’s necessary. It’s a great way to stop compulsive behavior. The MODUS Anti Barking Device is the best device in the market. Click to view pricing on Amazon here.
How To Use Whistles For Training
Now, if you’re still considering going with whistles for the training method, you should know how to use them. There isn’t too much mystery on how to use dog whistles for training your dog. The only thing is that you must find out not only the volume and the distance, but also how to do it.
Unlike giving your dog treats as a reward, the whistle is punishment. So, you use it to punish bad behavior and not directly reinforce good ones as treats do. Since your dog doesn’t enjoy the sound, you will blow the whistle every time they perform the behavior that you don’t want them to. This way they stop it altogether with time.
So, make sure that you get a professional dog-whistle for this. It’s an effective method if you do it right. The best dog whistles have the frequency and the volume to never cause harm to your dog. The Acme Silent Dog Whistle is the best professional dog whistle. Get yours here.
Use Treats As Well
Dog whistles don’t hurt dogs, but they do bother them. Not only that but they’re also a method to discourage bad behavior instead of reinforcing good one. So, many dog owners may feel conflicted in using them. That’s okay since this is a personal choice more than anything else. This is why you may want to consider using dog treats if your goal is to train your dog by teaching good behavior.
All you have to do is to set aside 5 minutes every day to train your dog. This is best done after you’ve taken your dog for a walk since they’re mentally tired to be stubborn and unfocused. What you’re going to do is to teach your dog what to do by giving him treats and what not to do by ignoring him and not giving him treats.
So, for this, you’re going to need a dog treat that your dog loves it and that it’s also healthy. Since you’re going to give him lots of it, it can’t be something that causes health problems long-term. The Rachael Ray Nutrish Soup Bones is the best dog treat for dog owners that want something healthy and delicious. Take a look here.
If It Bothers Your Dog Too Much, Consider Other Methods
Many dog owners are concerned with using dog whistles and shock collars due to possible harm that they might cause. For dog whistles, you can rest assured that it won’t hurt your dog. Still, if you’re not pleased with using this method, what you can do is to use other training methods.
The best one besides treats, it’s the vibration dog collar no shock involved. This dog collar emits a vibration that repels the dog from doing certain behaviors.
So, you can consider this method if you want something effective that can’t hurt your dog. The TBI Pro Dog Bark Collar is the best vibration dog collar. Check it out here.
Final Thoughts
So, a dog whistle does not hurt dogs. What can hurt dogs is the volume and the distance at which you blow the whistle. All you have to do is to not blow it too hard and too close. A beginner’s dog whistle might be a good option or another method like dog treats and vibration collars.
