The invisible disturbance: Can frequencies you can't hear stress your dog?

A dog's hearing: A miracle of nature

Dogs have extraordinary hearing that goes far beyond our human abilities. While we can perceive sounds in a frequency range of around 20 to 20,000 hertz, dogs can hear frequencies of 40 to 60,000 hertz - in some cases even higher. Dogs are much more sensitive, especially in the high frequency range. This means that they hear sounds that simply do not exist for us.

Why do dogs have such sensitive hearing?

It has to do with their natural evolution. In the wild, it was vital for dogs (and their ancestors, the wolves) to hear the smallest sounds, such as the rustling of a mouse in the bushes. Even today, this ability is reflected in their behavior - whether hunting, playing or keeping watch at home.

What frequencies can be found in your household?

Modern homes are full of technology that can produce frequencies we can't hear. Some of these can be uncomfortable or even stressful for your dog.

Electronic devices

Many appliances generate high-frequency sounds, often from internal electronics or transformers. Examples are

• Televisions and monitors: Even in standby mode, they can produce a high frequency hum.
• Chargers: Some cell phone or laptop power supplies emit low, high-frequency noises.
• WLAN routers: Although the WLAN signal itself is not audible, the devices can sometimes make noises in the audible range.

Household appliances

Certain appliances are particularly known to produce high-frequency sounds that could disturb dogs:

• Vacuum cleaners: Not only loud, but also full of unpleasant frequencies.
• Microwaves: When operating, they can produce a high-pitched beeping sound.
• Refrigerators: Older models often emit a constant buzzing sound.

Alarms and security systems

Many smoke detectors, motion detectors or alarm systems work with high-frequency signals. If batteries run out, smoke detectors often emit low-pitched beeps that can drive dogs crazy.

Construction and road noise

Frequencies from outside, such as construction site noise or high-frequency machinery, can also penetrate your home and cause stress in your dog.

How do these frequencies affect dogs?

Not every high-frequency vibration is automatically disturbing for your dog. But if the frequencies reach a certain intensity or persist over a longer period of time, this can have negative consequences.

Possible signs of stress caused by frequencies

• Restlessness: Your dog seems nervous, runs back and forth or hides.
• Increased barking or howling: A clear sign of excessive stress.
• Ears laid back: Dogs try to protect their ears from disturbing noises.
• Refusal of certain places: If your dog avoids a certain room, there could be a disturbing frequency source there.
• Aggression or withdrawal: In extreme cases, stress can manifest itself in unusual behavior.

How can you protect your dog?

Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to minimize disturbing frequencies in your household.

Find the source

Sometimes the cause is easy to find, especially if you use modern technology. Turn off devices as a test to see if your dog's behavior changes.

Invest in high-quality devices

Older or cheap electronics are often more susceptible to high-frequency interference. Modern devices are often better shielded and cause less noise.

Offer your dog places to retreat to

A quiet room without electronic devices or a cozy dog bed in a less frequented area of the home can work wonders.

Use soundproofing

In particularly problematic cases, sound-absorbing materials can help to reduce disturbing noises. There are also special dog headphones that can be used in the event of extreme noise, such as on New Year's Eve.

The role of training and habituation

Some dogs are more sensitive to frequencies than others. Targeted training can help to make your dog less sensitive. You can use positive reinforcement to show him that he doesn't need to be afraid of certain noises.

Can you measure inaudible frequencies?

If you suspect that your household is affected by disturbing frequencies, you can use special devices such as ultrasonic detectors or smartphone apps. These measure frequencies outside the human hearing range. Simple solutions such as changing the batteries in a smoke detector or replacing an old charger can often provide a remedy.

Conclusion: Listen with your dog's ears

Dogs experience the world in a completely different way to us. Their sensitive hearing makes them fantastic companions, but can also make them susceptible to stress from unseen sources of noise. By being mindful of the frequencies in your home, you can make your dog feel comfortable and safe.

Have you had any experience with such invisible disturbances? How does your dog react to certain noises or frequencies? Let us know how you deal with this issue in the comments - we look forward to hearing your opinion!