A dog whistle, also known as a silent whistle or Galton’s whistle, is a type of whistle that emits sound at a frequency that is nearly inaudible to humans, but easily heard by dogs. This type of whistle is commonly used in dog training and behavior modification, as it allows for more precise communication with dogs without disturbing or distracting others in the vicinity.
The concept of the dog whistle is based on the idea that dogs’ hearing is much more sensitive than that of humans. While humans can typically hear sounds between 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, dogs can hear frequencies up to 65,000 Hz. This allows dog owners and trainers to use a dog whistle to give commands or signals to their dogs that can’t be heard by others.
Dog whistles are often used in training sessions to teach dogs specific commands, recall, or to stop unwanted behaviors such as barking or jumping. The high frequency emitted by the dog whistle is not harmful to the dog’s ears, but simply acts as a tool for communication that is clear and consistent. Overall, dog whistles can be a useful and effective tool for dog owners looking to communicate more effectively with their furry companions.
Image by Glen Bledsoe from Flickr.
