What is the Acme 535 Silent Dog Whistle
The Acme 535 Silent Dog Whistle is a high-quality ultrasonic dog whistle used for training and commanding dogs from a distance. It produces a sound in the ultrasonic range that humans cannot hear but dogs can. The whistle allows owners to reinforce commands and correct dog behavior from up to 400 yards away without excessive noise (Acme Silent Dog Whistle).
The Acme 535 emits ultrasonic sound at 23,000 Hz to 54,000 Hz, taking advantage of dogs’ keen sense of hearing. It features an adjustable stem to change frequencies and a pea inside that resonates when you blow into the whistle. The whistle is made of solid brass with a nickel-plated or gold-plated finish for durability. Key features include portability, weatherproof construction, and easy-grip grooved design (Acme Silent Dog Whistle 535).
How Silent Dog Whistles Work
Silent dog whistles operate using ultrasound technology. They emit very high frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans but audible to canines. Dogs have an incredible sense of hearing and can detect frequencies between 67-45,000 Hz, while humans can only hear up to 20,000 Hz.
Standard whistles emit sound waves around 2,300-3,000 Hz which fall in the audible range for humans. Silent whistles emit sounds from 16,000-22,000 Hz, taking advantage of a dog’s ability to hear higher frequency sounds.
When blown, the silent whistle produces no discernible noise to humans. However, dogs can clearly hear the high-pitched sound. Their ears will typically perk up when a silent whistle is used. The whistle allows them to be trained and controlled even from a distance without disturbing nearby people.
Silent whistles are extremely effective training tools since dogs can hear the instruction clearly while the trainer remains “silent” to humans. This allows focused communication and direction without confusion from other noises in the environment.
Benefits of Using a Silent Dog Whistle
Using a silent dog whistle has several benefits compared to a normal audible dog whistle. The main advantage is that the silent whistle allows you to get your dog’s attention without disturbing people around you. The high-frequency sound emitted by silent dog whistles is only audible to canines. This makes them ideal for use in public places, apartments, neighborhoods or anywhere you want to avoid annoying other people.
Another key benefit of silent dog whistles is that they are very useful training tools. The whistle allows you to reinforce commands and desired behaviors in your dog. Since only your dog can hear the whistle, it associates the sound with your commands. This is especially helpful for training recall, as you can use the whistle to call your dog back to you from a distance. The whistle also aids in training for agility, obedience, hunting and more. As explained by canine experts Crafty Canine Club, “the dog whistle can be used to stop barking, train basic obedience, or even modify specific behaviors” (source). The whistle becomes a precise communication tool between you and your dog.
Features of the Acme 535 Silent Dog Whistle
The Acme 535 silent dog whistle has several key features that make it a top choice for dog owners and trainers.
One of the most notable features is the adjustable frequency. The Acme 535 produces ultra-high frequencies between 5,400 Hz and 12,800 Hz that can be adjusted via a dial on the device. This allows users to find the exact frequency their dog is most responsive to for effective training.
The Acme 535 offers both battery and USB rechargeable power options. The lithium battery provides up to 7 hours of continuous use and can be recharged via USB for convenience. This allows the whistle to be used anywhere without concern for battery life.
The whistle has an impressive range of up to 400 yards due to the ultrasonic sound it produces. This long range allows handlers to effectively communicate with dogs at far distances which is useful for training or hunting purposes. The Acme 535’s powerful projection enables commands to be clearly transmitted even when dogs are distant.
With its adjustable frequency, battery/rechargeable power, and long-range capacity, the Acme 535 provides customizable, convenient, and effective communication with dogs through its innovative silent whistle technology.
Training Tips with a Silent Dog Whistle
A silent dog whistle can be an extremely effective training tool. Unlike regular whistles that people can hear, ultrasonic silent whistles emit a high-frequency sound only audible to dogs. This allows you to give cues and reinforcements during training that won’t disturb bystanders.
Getting Your Dog’s Attention
One of the main purposes of a silent dog whistle is getting your dog’s attention, especially in distracting environments. The unique high-pitched sound will cause your dog’s ears to perk up. When first introducing the whistle, pair it with a reward like a treat when your dog looks at you so they learn to associate the whistle with focusing on you. After consistent training, you’ll be able to use the whistle from a distance to immediately get their attention.
Reinforcing Commands
The whistle is a great reward marker for your dog when training commands. For example, when teaching “sit,” say the verbal cue and blow the whistle immediately after your dog sits. Reward with a treat. The whistle helps reinforce the desired behavior. You can eventually phase out the treats and just use the whistle as the reward. This allows more repetitions during training without overfeeding treats.
Stopping Unwanted Behaviors
A sharp blast from the silent whistle when your dog is barking or jumping can startle them out of the unwanted behavior. It’s important to immediately redirect them into a command like “sit” that you can reward. With consistency, the whistle can become a deterrent from unwanted behaviors. However, be cautious not to overuse the whistle as the startle effect can lose efficacy if used excessively.
When used correctly, the Acme 535 silent dog whistle is a very useful training tool for getting your dog’s attention, reinforcing commands, and deterring unwanted behaviors. Just be sure to introduce it gradually and pair it with positive reinforcement techniques.
Using the Acme 535 for Hunting Dogs
The Acme 535 silent dog whistle is an excellent training tool for working with hunting and gun dog breeds. Its ultrasonic frequency allows handlers to reinforce commands and desired behaviors from a distance without disturbing game or alerting other dogs. Some key ways to utilize the Acme 535 for hunting dog training include:
Reinforcing recall and precision – The Acme 535’s piercing yet quiet tone can help reinforce a prompt recall even when dogs are deep in the field. The whistle cue acts as a precise command telling them to immediately return to your location. Consistency with the whistle helps improve obedience and response times.
Correcting unwanted behaviors – Silent whistles allow you to correct dogs non-verbally if they begin chasing wildlife or acting out of line. A quick sharp blast redirects their attention back to you.
Signaling direction changes – While working in the field, a series of whistle blasts can efficiently direct your dog’s movement and pattern. Short tweets can cue turning left or right, while longer blows mean continuing straight. This level of control allows you to guide their search pattern.
Marking positive actions – Use the whistle as a reward marker to reinforce desired actions like steady pointing or paused flushing. Follow up with lavish praise and treats to encourage repeats of these behaviors. The whistle marks the precise moment they performed correctly.
Overall, the Acme 535 delivers an invaluable remote communication system tailored for handling hunting dogs off-leash. The whistle’s precision and consistency builds solid obedience that transitions nicely into real field work. With time and practice, the whistle cues become an intuitive language between hunter and hound. For further training tips, see this article on utilizing whistles for gun dog obedience.
Troubleshooting the Acme 535
The Acme 535 silent dog whistle is a high-quality product, but occasional issues may arise. Here are some common troubleshooting tips for the Acme 535:
Battery and Charging Issues
If the Acme 535 is not turning on or holding a charge, first check that the battery is inserted properly. Make sure the battery contacts are clean and free of corrosion. Try replacing the battery with a new high-quality alkaline battery. The Acme 535 battery should provide up to 200 hours of use before needing replacement.
If the issue persists, the battery contacts inside the unit may need to be cleaned. Refer to the cleaning instructions in the Acme 535 owner’s manual.
Whistle Malfunction
If no sound comes out when blowing the Acme 535, first check for any obstructions or blockages. Carefully use a thin wire or compressed air to clear out any debris inside the whistle chamber. Be careful not to damage the internal components.
The piston screw on the end of the Acme 535 controls the frequency/pitch produced. Make sure this is tightened properly and not loose. Gently tighten or loosen the piston screw while blowing to find the sweet spot.
As a last resort, the internal o-ring may need replacement if it has become worn or damaged. Replacement o-ring kits can be ordered through Acme or many retailers.
Acme 535 Accessories
The Acme 535 silent dog whistle can be enhanced with a variety of helpful accessories. One popular accessory is the lanyard, which allows the whistle to be worn around the neck for easy access. Acme offers lanyards in various colors and designs to match your preferences.
Belts and belt clips are another convenient accessory to keep the 535 whistle handy while training or hunting with your dog. Acme belt clips securely attach the whistle to your belt or waistband.
For safely storing the 535 whistle when not in use, Acme offers a variety of cases and pouches. The deluxe leather case helps protect the whistle from scratches or damage when packed away in your hunting gear.
To extend the range of the 535 whistle’s ultrasonic sound waves, Acme offers whistle range extenders. These small conical attachments affix to the end of the whistle to help project the sound further across fields and woodlands when working with hunting or field dogs. The extenders come in sizes from 1-4 inches to match your range needs.
For more Acme 535 accessory options, check out the Acme Accessories catalog.
Acme 535 vs. Competitors
The Acme 535 Silent Dog Whistle is a popular choice among dog owners and trainers. But how does it compare to other leading silent dog whistle brands on the market?
Some of the top competitors to the Acme 535 include:
- SportDOG Brand Silent Dog Whistle
- PetSafe Silent Whistle
- Dogtra Silent Whistle
The Acme 535 stands out from competitors in a few key ways:
- Adjustable frequency from 10,000 Hz – 22,000 Hz allowing for customization for your dog’s hearing range (Source: https://www.acmewhistles.co.uk/whistles-accessories/countryside-pursuits/silent-dog-whistle)
- Ergonomic grip makes it easy to hold and blow (Source: https://www.gundogsupply.com/acme-silent-whistle-535.html)
- Durable zinc alloy construction
The Acme 535 silent dog whistle is competitively priced with other premium brands. Overall, it offers a high quality and customizable option for silent dog training and commands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the Acme 535 Silent Dog Whistle:
How does the silent dog whistle work?
The Acme 535 Silent Dog Whistle produces ultra-high frequency sounds that are inaudible to the human ear but heard very loudly by dogs. It uses a precision-engineered mechanism to produce adjustable frequencies between 23,000-54,000 Hz (Acme Silent Dog Whistle – #535). The high pitch sound travels far, up to 1.5km, and gets your dog’s attention.
Is it completely silent to humans?
The extremely high frequency sounds are outside the normal audible range of human hearing. However, some people may be able to detect a very faint high-pitched sound if they listen closely. But it will not be loud or distracting like a normal whistle.
How do I adjust the frequency?
The Acme 535 has a screw piston mechanism that allows you to finely tune the frequency produced by the whistle. Turning the piston clockwise raises the pitch while turning it counterclockwise lowers the pitch (ACME 535 Silent Dog Whistle Customer Questions).
What age dog can use a silent whistle?
Puppies and dogs of any age can be trained with an Acme silent whistle. Puppies can start basic training with a whistle around 8-12 weeks old. Make sure to start them on a lower frequency and adjust up slowly as their hearing develops.
How far away can a dog hear it?
The Acme 535’s sound carries up to 1.5km or approximately 1 mile. The effective range depends on environmental conditions. Ideal conditions allow sounds to travel farther whereas objects or terrain may block the sound waves and limit the effective range.