Shhh! Can you hear that? Dogs have an incredible sense of hearing that allows them to detect sounds at a much higher frequency than humans. While we can hear sounds up to around 23,000 Hertz (Hz), dogs can detect sounds at a frequency of 45,000Hz. But why are dogs such great listeners? Let’s find out.
Signs Your Dog has Heard a High-Frequency Sound
You may have noticed that your dog sometimes reacts to a sound that you can’t hear. When this happens, your dog’s ears will perk up, they will lift their head, and focus their attention in a certain direction. They may raise their eyebrows, sigh, and go back to what they were doing if they think the sound is unimportant. But if the sound is intriguing or threatening, your dog may go on high alert. They may raise their head, turn to follow the sound, and even move closer to investigate. They might bark, growl, whimper, or wag their tail.
Body Language
Your dog’s body language can also indicate that they have detected a sound you cannot hear. Look for signs such as alertness, head tilting, tail wagging, raised ears, head turning, and a raised tail.
Other Signs
Other signs that your dog has detected an interesting sound include raising their head, moving to follow the source of the sound, sniffing the air, barking, tilting their ears, and pawing at their ears.
History of Dogs Hearing High Frequencies
For wild animals like wolves, the ancestors of domestic dogs, having sharp senses is crucial for survival. Detecting danger from a distance would have been important for their survival. Dogs have evolved to hear high frequencies to locate where a sound is coming from. They use a process called ‘binaural spectral-difference cueing’ to compare the frequency of a sound in each ear. The ear farthest from the sound falls in the head’s ‘shadow’, absorbing some frequencies. Dogs hearing higher frequencies is essential for them to identify the source of a sound. However, dogs are not the only animals capable of hearing high frequencies, as bats and whales can detect even higher frequencies.
The Science of Dog Hearing
Dogs have an extraordinary ability to move their ears. They have 18 muscles in their ears that allow them to wiggle, rotate, and tilt their ears to focus on a sound. In comparison, human ears only have six muscles and have a more limited range of movement. Dogs can detect sounds up to around 45,000Hz, while humans can only hear up to 23,000Hz. However, humans are better at picking up sounds at the lower end of the spectrum.
Training Your Dog to Listen to You
Training a puppy can be challenging, especially when they seem to have selective deafness. To ensure your dog listens to you, it’s important to teach them the benefits of listening. Rewarding your dog with treats, toys, or praise when they give you their attention and respond to commands will help them associate listening to you with positive outcomes. Patience and consistency are key to success. Starting training from a young age will give your dog the best chance of ignoring distractions and focusing on you.
“Listen closely, for your dog hears a world beyond your range of detection.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Pay attention to your dog’s body language: When your dog’s ears perk up, they raise their head, or their tail starts wagging, it could be a sign that they have heard a high-frequency sound that you may have missed. Paying attention to these cues can help you understand when your dog is reacting to something you can’t hear.
2️⃣ Understand the evolutionary reason behind dogs’ hearing abilities: Dogs have evolved to hear at higher frequencies than humans in order to locate where a sound is coming from. Their ability to compare the frequency of a sound in each ear allows them to determine the source of the sound. Knowing this can help you appreciate why dogs have such remarkable hearing abilities.
3️⃣ Use positive reinforcement to train your dog to listen to you: To ensure that your dog listens to you even when they are distracted by high-frequency sounds, focus on rewarding them for paying attention to you. By associating listening to you with positive rewards such as treats or praise, you can train your dog to prioritize your commands over other distractions. Be patient and consistent in your training approach to achieve success.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. What is the frequency range that dogs can hear compared to humans?
– Dogs can hear sounds at a frequency of 45,000Hz, while humans can hear sounds up to around 23,000Hz.
2. What are some signs that indicate a dog has heard a high-frequency sound?
– Signs include raising of the ears, tilting of the ears, head turning, raising their head, moving to follow the source of the sound, sniffing the air, barking, and pawing at ears.
3. Why did dogs evolve to hear at higher frequencies than humans?
– Dogs evolved to hear at higher frequencies to be able to locate where a sound is coming from. They use a process called ‘binaural spectral-difference cueing’ to compare the frequency of a sound as it arrives in each separate ear.
4. How do dogs have better hearing abilities than humans?
– Dogs have 18 muscles in their ears, allowing them to wiggle, rotate, and tilt their ears to focus on a sound. They also have longer ear canals, which contribute to their ability to detect sounds up to around 45,000Hz.
5. How can dog owners train their dogs to listen to them even when there are distractions?
– By rewarding their dog with treats, toys, or praise when they give their full attention and respond to commands, dog owners can teach their dogs to prioritize listening to them. Consistency and patience are key in training.
