A dog’s hearing is much more sophisticated than that of humans. There isn’t much difference between a dog’s and a human’s hearing at low frequencies, but dogs are much more sensitive to high frequencies than humans. To put this into perspective, humans can hear high frequencies up to 20kHz, whereas dogs can hear frequencies between 70 and 100kHz1.
This is why noises you barely notice can seriously stress your dog. In some cases, dogs can even suffer from a noise phobia2. In this post, we’ll explore 13 common noises that frighten dogs.
The 13 Noises That Could Scare Your Dog
1. Thunder
The sound of thunder commonly upsets dogs. According to PetMD3, changes in barometric pressure and electrical charges during a thunderstorm, as well as the sound of thunder, rain, and flashes of lightning, can trigger a dog to react with fear.
Some dogs are more genetically prone to emotional reactivity, and others have had their fears unintentionally reinforced or just aren’t used to the sound of thunder.
2. Sirens
Since dogs can hear at such high frequencies, it’s not surprising that the high-pitched wail of an ambulance, police car, or fire truck siren is stressful for them.
3. Alarms
Whether it’s the sound of your car alarm, house alarm, fire alarm, or alarm clock, dogs can be especially sensitive to high-pitched sounds. If we factor in that these noises are usually near your dog because they’re in or around your home, the stress can be intensified.
4. Fireworks
Likely, every dog owner knows how frightening fireworks can be to dogs. However, there are some tactics you can try to decrease your dog’s firework fear, including:
- Play the sound of fireworks at a low volume and gradually increase the volume over days and weeks until your dog is desensitized to the noise.
- Put a dog headband over your dog’s ears.
- Close the curtains to muffle the sound and block the flashes.
- Play a dog relaxation audiobook or turn on the TV or radio.
- Try an anxiety vest.
- Stay calm and respond to the sounds using a high-pitched “baby talk” voice to relax your dog.
- Speak to your vet and a registered behaviorist for more help.
5. Construction
If you think about it, construction noises can be unsettling for us—especially when they’re right under our window—so the drilling, rumbling, and hammering can be very frightening for dogs.
6. Crying
It’s not unusual for dogs to be disturbed by the sound of crying. The sound of a baby crying, in particular, can be very stressful for them because it’s high-pitched. Since dogs are sensitive to your emotions, they may become distressed when you cry simply because you are distressed. Your sweet dog may also try to comfort you when you’re upset.
7. Scraping on the Sidewalk
Whether they’re construction-related or someone riding a skateboard on the sidewalk, scraping sounds can irritate your dog.
8. Airplanes
If a dog isn’t used to airplanes passing overhead, the rumbling engine sound might be troubling to them. For example, if your dog grew up close to an airport, they’re more likely to have become accustomed and desensitized to the sound.
9. Vacuum Cleaners
The sound of a vacuum is another one that occurs close to your dog, which can amplify their noise anxiety. Even for us, the whirring, loud sound of the vacuum can be unpleasant, but at least we know what’s causing it. For dogs, it’s a noise coming from a weird-looking machine that moves unpredictably and sucks up everything in its path.
10. Gunshots
In short, guns are loud and terrifying, and your dog feels no different. Hunters desensitize their dogs to the sounds of gunfire and don’t take them out in the field until they’re comfortable with the noise. However, it takes hours of training, and the average pet will hide when they hear gunfire.
11. Lawnmowers
If your dog gets anxious when you do the rounds with your lawnmower, it likely has a similar effect on them as the vacuum cleaner—it’s loud, it vibrates, and it rumbles. It’s not the most relaxing sound combination for dogs.
12. Trucks
Not only are the engines in trucks noisy, but the air brakes and horns are also loud. High-pitched sounds like this can be a nightmare for dogs.
13. Shouting & Screaming
When celebrating a birthday, having a house party, or counting down to the New Year, it’s not uncommon for people to shout or scream when they’re really into the festivities. Not to mention, there’s always that one friend with a loud, high-pitched laugh.
While these are just the sounds of people having a great time, your dog might hide or tremble at the sound of human exclamations. The chances of this happening are more likely if your dog is a rescue that once lived in a household where they were yelled at.
Conclusion
If you suspect your dog might have a noise phobia, there are several things you can do to ease their stress, including desensitization techniques, muffling the sounds, distracting your dog, and covering their ears. If nothing helps, it’s best to share your concerns with a vet or dog behaviorist who can help you come up with a plan to treat your dog’s anxiety.
Featured Image Credit: evgengerasimovich, Shutterstock
