Throughout history, dogs have been known to save lives by alerting their families to fires and guiding them to safety. Dogs have incredibly sensitive hearing and can hear smoke alarms and fire alarms before humans can react. They have a unique ability to recognize the sound of a fire alarm and help their companions stay safe. Have you ever noticed how your dog reacts when a fire truck passes by?
Signs Your Dog Can Hear Fire Alarms
When dogs let out a howl that resembles a fire truck siren, it could be an instinctive memory of wolf communication. Dogs can hear frequencies up to 50,000Hz, while humans can only hear up to 20,000Hz. Fire alarms and smoke detectors emit high-pitched sounds that some dogs find terrifying. They may shake, cower, bark, whimper, or hide under the bed. If your dog is distressed by the sound of the smoke alarm, they may have noise phobia.
Body Language
Signs that your dog is afraid of a fire alarm or smoke detector include barking, shaking, cowering, howling, pacing, whimpering, and other signs such as running away, hiding, licking your face, urinating on the floor, and panicking.
The History of Dogs and Fire Alarms
Dalmatians were used as carriage dogs in the 17th century to protect English aristocrats from bandits and wild dogs. They were seen running through English towns and countryside, symbolizing success. When fire brigades were established, Dalmatians would alert people and guard the equipment. This breed had a unique rapport with horses, which made them perfect for accompanying the fire carriage and keeping the horses calm. The connection between Dalmatians and horses spread to the US, and today, Dalmatians are used in schools to teach kids about fire safety.
Science Behind Dogs Hearing Fire Alarms
Dogs can hear fire alarms long before humans can because they can hear frequencies beyond our audible range. Their hearing is much better than ours, but loud fire alarms won’t hurt their ears unless they are exposed to continuous loud noises like gunshots. Dogs with noise phobia can benefit from slowly desensitizing them to the sound through playing a CD with the noise they fear. There are even earmuffs available for dogs who are sensitive to loud noises.
Training a Dog to React to a Fire Alarm
To help dogs and humans survive a fire, training dogs to wake their owners up when they smell smoke or hear the alarm is important. Clicker training can be used to teach dogs to wake their owners up by walking on them or nudging them with their nose or paws. Dogs should also be trained to know when it’s time to leave the house and come to their owners when called. Dogs can also be trained to detect smoke and bark as an alert. This training can save their lives by helping them recognize the danger of fire.
Fire Safety for Dogs
Teach your dog to come to you when there is a fire, train them to wake you up, and teach them to detect smoke. Help them overcome their fear of fire alarms and smoke detectors. By making your dog fire safety-wise, you can ensure their safety in case of a fire.
“In times of danger, our faithful companions hear the call of the fire alarm and lead us to safety.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Train your dog to wake you up in case of a fire by teaching them to nudge you or walk on you when they hear the fire alarm.
2️⃣ Teach your dog to detect smoke by using a smoke device and rewarding them when they bark upon smelling the smoke.
3️⃣ Help your dog overcome their fear of fire alarms and smoke detectors by gradually exposing them to the sound and increasing the volume over time, or by playing a CD of the noise that upsets them to slowly diffuse their fear.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can dogs hear fire alarms and smoke detectors?
– Yes, dogs have a keen sense of hearing and can hear frequencies beyond what humans can hear, including fire alarms and smoke detectors.
2. How do dogs react to fire alarms and smoke detectors?
– Dogs may exhibit signs of fear or distress such as barking, shaking, cowering, howling, pacing, whimpering, running away and hiding, licking your face, urinating on the floor, and panicking.
3. What is the history of dogs and fire alarms?
– Dogs, particularly Dalmatians, have a long history of being associated with fire alarms. They were used by fire brigades to alert people, guard equipment, and keep horses calm during firefighting operations.
4. Can loud fire alarms hurt a dog’s ears?
– No, only continuous exposure to loud noises like gunshots can cause hearing problems in dogs. Standard fire alarms and smoke detectors are not loud enough to cause harm to a dog’s ears.
5. How can dogs be trained to react to fire alarms?
– Dogs can be trained to wake their owners up when a fire alarm goes off. Clicker training and positive reinforcement can be used to teach dogs to wake their owners and respond to commands during a fire emergency. Dogs can also be trained to detect the smell of smoke and notify their owners.
