The aversion to loud noises is a typical evolutionary reaction that has assisted both humans and dogs in surviving by enabling us to flee from or repel threats to our existence. But over the course of their lives, some dogs may experience a severe, irrational fear or phobia of particular sounds.
Noise phobias in dogs are actually pretty common. According to a recent study, 39 percent of dogs are thought to exhibit noise phobia symptoms (1). Along with other behavioral disorders like separation anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder, noise phobias are frequently seen.
Discover why dogs often have a fear of loud noises, how to spot if your dog has a noise phobia, the most typical sounds that scare dogs, and what you can do to comfort your scared dog by reading the information below.
Dogs with noise phobias have unusually strong responses to one or more sounds. Some of the most common examples include fireworks and thunder. Although the exact reason why some dogs react negatively to loud noises while others do not, environmental and genetic factors are thought to play a role.
Poorly socialized dogs are thought to be more susceptible to developing noise phobias as adults. The so-called “critical socialization period” for puppies lasts from 12 to 14 weeks of age. This means that if puppies aren’t exposed to specific sounds, sights, animals, or locations by that age in a positive way, they could later exhibit an abnormal fear response to those things if they are exposed to them.
Traumatic experiences can also cause dogs to become afraid of specific noises. For instance, a dog left alone at home with a smoke alarm that chirps nonstop or a noisy construction site next door may associate these noises with loneliness, fear, and separation. A dog may become traumatized by these experiences and develop a severe sensitivity to those sounds and others like them in the future.
Dogs do have much more sensitive hearing than humans, which may contribute to their sensitivity to noise. When we hear something loud, our dogs hear it at a much louder volume. Dogs are also capable of hearing sounds with higher pitches or frequencies than humans. Dogs can hear at frequencies up to 45,000 Hz, whereas humans can only hear at up to 20,000 Hz (2). This means that while extremely high-pitched sounds and noises aren’t even audible to the human ear, our canine companions can hear them clearly and loudly.
When it comes to noise phobias, some dog breeds are overrepresented, which strongly suggests that this condition may have an inherited component. German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, and Border Collies are believed to be genetically predisposed to these phobias.
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Being a good dog parent includes training your pet, which has many advantages like socialization and obedience. A dog whistle might be a good option for you and your dog if you’re looking to incorporate a training tool.
However, as a pet owner, you might have questions like: How does a dog whistle work, Do dog whistles hurt dogs ears, and What are the Benefits of Using a Whistle?
For centuries, people have used whistles to train and communicate with dogs. Before that, humans used the traditional method of whistling with their breath to converse with their dogs. As with verbal commands, clicker training for “sit” and “stay,” or playing fetch, you can use a whistle to “talk” to your dog and establish a routine.
Dogs respond to even the quietest of whistles because they hear at a much higher frequency than humans. “Dogs and people hear about the same at low frequencies of sound (around 20Hz). This changes at high frequencies of sound, where dogs hear up to 70-100kHz, much better than people at only 20kHz,” say scientists at the University of Adelaide in Australia, and dogs “hear sound frequencies at least three times as high compared to people.” It may seem as if dogs react to a noise thats not there when, in reality, theyre highly sensitive to something we cant hear.
You may have to try out a few different types of whistles to see which one offers you the range of sounds you (and your dog) prefer. Start by learning how to use the whistle properly (practice, practice, practice), and then play around with the sounds to figure out which tones will work for which commands.
There are two types of whistles available: audible and silent, where “silent” here refers to silence for humans only, not for dogs. Some whistles are equipped with adjustable pitches, too.
When determining the sounds you want to use and making sure you’re being consistent, audible whistles are helpful. This design is used during herding dog competitions even though it resembles a whistle used at sporting events.
Many dog parents prefer silent whistles because theres less noise interference for people. This type of whistle, invented in 1876 by Sir Francis Galton, was used to test hearing levels in humans, cats and dogs. The term “ultrasonic whistle” is more accurate because, as noted above, the whistle isnt silent — it emits ultrasonic sounds to which dogs respond. According to researchers at Psychology Today, the advantage of this type of whistle is that these sound signals travel farther than the human voice and, therefore, can reach dogs at farther distances.
Dog whistles that people don’t even notice can hurt dogs when used improperly because dogs have much stronger hearing than humans. You would feel discomfort from a loud noise blaring in your ears, and your dog might experience discomfort if you blow the whistle too forcefully or close to him. Consult a trained professional or veterinarian if you have any questions about how to use a dog whistle responsibly.
Dog whistles aren’t always harmful, but if they’re used incorrectly, they can cause a lot of issues for your dog. While you are unable to hear the whistle’s high-pitched squeal, your dog’s hearing is much more acute and powerful. This means that sounds that don’t bother you may annoy or even hurt your dog, and if you make those noises carelessly, you may put him through unnecessary pain.
Tom Ryan is a freelance writer, editor and English tutor. He earned a degree in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh and has also worked as a public relations and advertising copywriter for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh as well as an arts and entertainment reporter for “The Pitt News.”
Dog whistles, which are made to be impossible for humans to hear, aren’t necessarily bad for your pet — at least not in all cases. The dog whistle produces a sound that dogs can hear at a frequency much higher than humans can. Dogs can hear sounds up to 45 kHz, which is much higher frequency than the human hearing range of 23 kHz.
How do dogs react to high frequencies?
(A sound’s frequency is measured in Hertz, and the higher the frequency, the higher pitched the sound, Dogs, however, have a hearing range of 47,000 to 65,000 Hz. These are sounds far too high-pitched for us. In addition, dogs have much better hearing than humans do at high frequencies.
FAQ
Are dog whistles harmful to dogs?
A dog whistle won’t harm your dog when used properly. Read the manufacturer’s information carefully, then discuss any queries you may have with your veterinarian. Dogs are inherently more sensitive to sound than humans because they hear at a much higher frequency.
Why does my dog act crazy when I whistle?
Since the majority of dog whistles fall between 16,000 and 22,000 hertz, your little dog may be curious as to why you call them over when you whistle. At first, it’s just simple curiosity, and then it’s just a matter of getting the right training.