Let’s start off by saying that your dog can definitely hear a mouse. You might think that mice are too small and quiet for your dog to hear, but their ears are much more powerful than you realize. Dogs can hear frequencies of about 40-60,000 Hz, while humans can only hear between 20 and 20,000 Hz. So, your dog has supersonic hearing and can definitely hear a mouse scurrying around your house.
Signs Your Dog Hears a Mouse in Your House
Dogs have incredible senses, including a keen sense of hearing. They will be aware of a mouse running loose in the house long before you even notice it. Your dog will try to let you know about it by barking, growling, and chasing or lunging at things you can’t see. They might also scratch, sniff, and lick the spot where they hear or smell the mouse.
Body Language
Here are some body language signs your dog might give you to let you know there’s a mouse in the house: being alert, barking, jumping up, scratching, sniffing, having their back hair on edge, averting their eyes, and having their ears back.
Other Signs
Here are a few other signs your dog may give you if a mouse is in your home: lunging at things you don’t see, running through the house frantically, excessively licking or sniffing areas of your home, and digging.
The History of Dogs’ Magnificent Hearing
Dogs’ ears have always been highly talented, and throughout history, people have capitalized on their exceptional hearing abilities. Dogs have been used for search and rescue missions since the 17th century when they proved capable of locating people buried under avalanche snow. They have been used to find people trapped in rubble during events like the London blitz. Dogs’ ability to hear and locate people has saved countless lives.
Science Behind Dogs Hearing Mice
Dogs have about 18 muscles in their ears that allow them to move them like little antennae. This, combined with their ability to hear a wide range of frequencies, enables them to hear much better than humans. Dogs can even hear independently with each ear, allowing them to selectively pay attention to different sounds.
Training Your Pup to Use Their Ears
While professional training is recommended for search and rescue work, there are still some tricks you can teach your dog to help them use their ears effectively. Start by reinforcing positive behavior with rewards such as affection, attention, and treats. Work with a trainer to develop your dog’s ear skills and teach them to look for movement. Train them to keep their ears perked up and respond to specific commands.
“Dogs’ exceptional hearing, with frequencies ranging from 40 to 60,000 Hz, allows them to sense things humans can’t – like the tiny tip-tap of mouse feet in the house. Their hearing is not only incredibly powerful, but also highly selective, enabling them to focus on distinct sounds separately with each ear.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Dogs have an exceptional sense of hearing, capable of detecting frequencies much higher than humans. They can hear a mouse in the house even before you notice it. Signs that your dog hears a mouse include alertness, barking, scratching, sniffing, and changes in body language such as back hair standing on edge and ears being held back.
2️⃣ Dogs’ extraordinary hearing is due to their ability to move their ears like antennae with around 18 muscles, and their capacity to hear independently with each ear. This allows them to selectively pay attention to different sounds. Dogs’ hearing abilities have been utilized throughout history in important tasks such as search and rescue missions.
3️⃣ You can train your dog to use their superb hearing skills effectively. Begin by reinforcing positive behaviors with rewards such as treats, attention, and affection. It’s beneficial to work with a professional trainer to develop your dog’s ear skills and teach them to respond to specific commands.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. How powerful is a dog’s hearing compared to humans?
Dogs can hear frequencies of about 40-60,000 Hz, while humans can only hear between 20 and 20,000 Hz.
2. How can dogs indicate that there is a mouse in the house?
Dogs may bark, growl, chase or lunge at things, scratch, sniff, lick, and exhibit alert body language.
3. What are some other signs that a dog may show if there is a mouse in the house?
Lunging at unseen things, running frantically, excessive licking or sniffing in certain areas, and digging.
4. How have dogs’ exceptional hearing abilities been utilized throughout history?
Dogs have been used in search and rescue missions, such as locating people buried under snow or trapped in rubble during events like the London blitz.
5. What allows dogs to have superior hearing compared to humans?
Dogs have about 18 muscles in their ears that allow them to move them like antennae. They can hear a wide range of frequencies and can independently hear with each ear.
