ACME Shepherd Whistle No. 575 - stainles steel

This does the job though I had to bend it open slightly. I prefer my plastic ACME whistle for ease and tone.

I've been using ACME plastic Shepherd's whistles for years, but as I like to have one on my keys, so I've always got one to hand when walking my dog, kept breaking the loop part. So I bought this stainless one as I thought it would be longer lasting. However, the hole on the loop is quite small, so you may need quite a small split ring to attach it.The opening is much wider than the plastic ones, which makes it a little uncomfortable in the mouth, although I have bent mine to close it slightly, which hasn't seemed to have affected it. I also found the edges a little rough and unfinished, I feel they could have polished the edges a bit more.The good thing is that for some reason, this one is much, much louder than the plastic ones. So loud in fact, I was worried about my ears! It does, however, seem to provoke a more rapid response from my dog, I'm not sure if it's the pitch or volume, but he does seem to react quicker to it.I do find it harder to achieve the variety of tones I'm used to producing with the plastic ones, for some reason, but hopefully that will come with more practice.

Having two Border Terriers that have a tendency to go deep into our local Wood, it was important for them to know where I was, cos I never knew exactly where they were. Hence the purchase of a shepherds whistle - lot less effort than constantly calling for my dogs.Unlike other reviewers I wasn't expecting to get instructions on how to use the whistle. There's plenty of info out there on the WWW, which is where I did my research BEFORE purchasing said whistle. There's demo videos on You Tube plus other written instructions out there, you just need to look for them.I purchased the whistle and although I don't claim it was easy to get the first squeek out of it, I did manage it on the evening the item arrived. It wasn't perfect by any means, but I did get a note out of it, and with a little bit more practice and finding out what works for you as regards the "Tongue Technique", then it didn't take long. I managed to teach my husband in one evening as well! Although he hasn't practiced the technique since so may well need a refresher.I bought a plastic whistle at first to learn on in case I couldn't master it (they are a bit cheaper), but I managed to use this ine one evening too - then the trusted stainless steel version was bought soon after. I think the SS version is much easier to use, personally, but that may not be the case for all.So, if you're not sure if you can get to grips with it, then try the cheaper version first.I can now walk the dogs without constantly shouting for them if they disappear into the woods for a forage (as is always the case). Can't guarantee you won't collect a few other loose dogs on the way round if use these whistles, but for me, it's a useful tool and the dogs always come back to me and generally quicker than if I have to shout!

Takes some practise but once you get the hang of the whistle it works a treat.

I am still learning how to use this whistle, I hope It gets easier and with practice I get the high pitched sounds that I want rather than the low whistle at present.

These whistles are fantastic but can feel like a jaggy mouthguard in your mouth, which is unpleasant. It takes a fair bit of practice to make these work and i gave up other than get a basic noise form them. However, if your a distant relative of Percy Thrower (one for the older generation out there) worth persisting with. Otherwise, stick to an ACME 210.5 fixed pitch whistle which is easy to use and very consistent for most dog owners to use.

I have mixed feelings about this product. It really isn't a lot for the money. BUT it IS made in the UK, and is in the proud tradition of Acme! I have not got a proper sound from it yet, but others have, and the online video instructions are simple and encouraging so I will persevere. Be warned it goes snugly in the mouth, and is not the sort of thing you would share so if you are a couple, best buy one each. My wife is refusing to try this whistle, so I will have to buy a conventional dog whistle for recall of our collie cross. Meanwhile, one day I hope to be worthy of One Man and his Dog!

Firstly, I have been working collies for very many years and do know how to use one of these. I bought this because I had mislaid my spare whistle and I like to have one spare "just in case", and I wish I hadn't bothered, and bought a Logan. The whistle is too thick and has been fairly crudely bent into shape. It's usable but only just. If you are thinking of buying this to see if using a shepherd's whistle is as difficult as they say, don't because this is likely to prove nigh on impossible for a novice to master. If like me, you know how to use one, don't buy this even as a temporary replacement.