Dog owners are being encouraged to utilise whistles as part of their training to ensure better communication with their pets.
From improving safety to reducing problem behaviour, the dog training experts at ACME Kennels have revealed five benefits of using a whistle as a training tool.
Investing time in dog training is essential for teaching pets expected behaviours, and a dog training whistle is a reliable tool for ensuring clear, effective communication.
A well-trained dog is less likely to experience anxiety or develop undesirable behaviour like excessive jumping or barking, reducing the risk to both the dog and others.
In contrast, poorly trained dogs are more prone to stress and erratic behaviours, which can lead to dangerous situations.
Dog whistles are designed to deliver sounds that cut through environmental distractions, such as weather conditions or urban noise, ensuring the dog’s focus remains on the trainer.
This makes them an invaluable tool for dog owners, offering more reliable results than verbal commands alone.
Ben McFarlane, from ACME Kennels, said: “For dog owners looking to improve communication and obedience, a dog whistle offers a simple yet effective solution.
“The consistent, distinct and high-pitched tone of a whistle makes it a more reliable tool for controlling a pet’s behaviour than verbal commands alone.
“Many dog owners are unaware of the benefits of using a whistle, including instilling reliability and consistency when training pets, making them an effective, practical tool.
“From improving general behaviour to making walks safer for owner and pet, we urge owners to understand the benefits of training with a whistle because dogs make the best companions when they are able to listen to their owners and follow commands.”
Five Benefits Of Using A Whistle As A Dog Training Tool:
1. Communication
Whistles can be heard over background noise and are effective even in challenging conditions. A whistle’s call will cut through other loud sounds, making it a fantastic training tool to help owners communicate effectively with their dog.
2. Improved behaviour
A dog whistle is useful for pet owners aiming to train their dogs or convey commands for things like recall effectively over long distances- capturing the attention of dogs while reinforcing a desired behaviour. Whistles can also interrupt a dog’s focus and quickly redirect their attention to a more desirable action, stopping initial problem behaviour from developing and allowing early correction before issues escalate.
3. More reliable than the voice
The volume and reach of the whistle are more effective than the human voice. When a dog owner uses a whistle to relay commands rather than their voice, they will find that the animal is more likely to pay attention because it is a loud, clear signal, and it sounds the same every time.
4. Less emotional intensity
A whistle command removes the emotional factor common with vocal commands. The whistle sounds will be the same whether owners are displeased or delighted with their dog’s performance, giving much more consistent results than the voice alone and making a dog more likely to return.
5. Safety
A poorly trained dog is more prone to anxiety and undesirable behaviours than one that has been trained and properly socialised. This can put the owner, dog, and other people and their dogs at risk. For example, a dog with poor recall or obedience may cause an accident if they manage to get away from you on a walk. Risks such as these can be minimised if a dog is in tune with whistle commands.
