Have you ever wondered what puppies are like when they are born? How do they prepare to become playful and active dogs? Can they hear your voice right after they are born? These are some questions we will explore in this article.
Signs That a Dog is Able to Hear
Puppies are born with some growing to do. For the first 2-3 weeks of their lives, they cannot hear. But once they start responding to noises and looking in the direction of sounds, you’ll know they can hear you. They may also engage with their siblings and start playing. If you try to get their attention from across the room, they will use their ear muscles to position their ears towards the sound.
Within the first few months of their lives, their hearing is fully developed and they can hear up to four times the distance that humans can hear. They will respond differently to interesting noises, such as jumping up, running in circles, or trying to get your attention.
Body Language
There are some signs that indicate your puppy can hear, such as barking, head tilting, wagging tail, sniffing, and raising ears. They may also reposition their ears, go towards the noise, play, and respond to your voice.
The History of Dog Hearing
Dogs are descendants of wolves that were domesticated by humans over 15,000 years ago. While wolves have better hearing than dogs, dogs compensate with their sense of smell and ability to read body language. Dogs can still hear a wider range of frequencies than humans and use their hearing to detect threats and alert their owners.
The Science of Dogs’ Hearing
Dogs have 18 muscles in their ears that help them detect the direction of sounds. While most dogs have similar hearing abilities, some can hear better based on the shape of their ears. Dogs can hear a wider range of frequencies and from further distances than humans.
Training a Dog to Have a Stronger Hearing Ability
You can train your dog to understand more sounds by exposing them to different experiences and using sound cues. Clapping, clicks, snaps, and even dog whistles can be used to signal commands. Dogs also respond well to the tone of voice and positive reinforcement. Using positive praise along with treats can encourage good behavior and strengthen their hearing abilities.
“Dogs have an incredible ability to hear, and with training, we can harness this power to strengthen their hearing ability.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Puppies are not born with the ability to hear and their hearing develops within the first 2-3 weeks of their lives. You can tell if your puppy can hear by observing if they respond to noises and start looking in the direction of the sound.
2️⃣ Dogs have a more advanced hearing ability compared to humans. They can hear a wider range of frequencies and from further distances. Dogs use their hearing to detect threats, determine people’s moods, and alert their owners to certain sounds.
3️⃣ You can train your dog to have a stronger hearing ability by exposing them to different sounds and associating them with positive experiences, such as treats or praise. Using sound cues, like clapping patterns or a dog whistle, can also help in training your dog to respond to specific commands.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can puppies hear when they are born?
– No, puppies are not able to hear for the first 2-3 weeks of their lives.
2. How can you tell if your dog can hear you?
– If your dog begins responding to noises you make and looking in the direction of the noise, it is a sign that they can hear you.
3. Can dogs hear better than humans?
– Yes, dogs can hear a wider range of frequencies and from further distances than humans.
4. How can you train a dog to have a stronger hearing ability?
– By exposing them to different sounds and associating those sounds with rewards, using sound cues such as clapping or clicks, and using a positive tone of voice and praise.
5. What are some signs that a dog is able to hear?
– Barking, head tilting, wagging tail, sniffing, raising ears, re-positioning their ears, going in the direction of the noise, playing, and responding to your voice.
