Thunder noise is one of the most common scary sounds for dogs. But besides the loud booms that are caused by thunderstorms, changes in barometric pressure, the smell of rain, and the appearance of storm clouds may all be involved in causing the fear that is induced by storms.
Sounds That Trigger Noise Phobia in Dogs
Fireworks, gunshots and vacuum cleaners are common causes of noise phobia, according to Dr. Borns-Weil. “Dogs may also become phobic of fire alarms and even cooking because they associate it with accidental triggering of the alarm,” Dr. Borns-Weil adds.
Thunder, fireworks, and loud vehicles are probably the most common noise phobia triggers. Dogs' sensitivity to the changes in barometric pressure can trigger fearful reactions to thunder long before humans even hear it.
Because dogs are so sensitive to sound, loud noises, in general, can cause dogs to become uncomfortable. However, frequencies that are about 25,000 hertz are when dogs become annoyed by the sound. The louder that these sounds become, the more uncomfortable your dog will be.
What scents keep dogs away? Dogs dislike the smell of citrus fruits. These include grapefruit, lemons and even oranges. This is one of the reasons why citrus odors are used in sprays to keep dogs from chewing on items.
Ammonia and vinegar are probably two of the most effective dog repellents you can find in your house. When spraying vinegar or ammonia, only spread them throughout your garden in strips and don't apply the mixture directly to your plants.
Typically, frequencies that hurt your dog's ears will range from 20,000 Hz and on, with 25,000 typically being the mark that begins really to irritate your pup. That being said, sounds that range from 23,000 to about 25,000 will likely be tolerable to your pup.
A: Yes. Humans can hear frequencies up to only 20,000 Hz, but dogs hear up to 45,000 Hz, and cats perceive frequencies of up to 64,000 Hz. Electronic devices are designed for people, and many emit frequencies that are distressing to pets but beyond what human ears can detect.
Before leaving a dog alone for a few hours, many people flick on the radio so their pet does not feel abandoned. However, new evidence suggests that they may prefer a bit of peace and quiet.
The law says that, if a domestic animal (usually a dog) barks excessively, an abatement notice (i.e. a notice requesting that they cease the noise) can be given to the dog's owner if the problem can't be resolved directly.
Our favorite dog whistle is the Acme 535 Silent Dog Whistle. It is inaudible to humans, and you can adjust the frequency to suit different dogs or to give your dog multiple commands. This whistle is ideal for anti-barking training at home, as you won't be adding more noise into the mix.
While there are a multitude of sounds that each individual dog may be sensitive to, there are 4 major sounds that often cause mild to severe anxiety in most dogs: fireworks, thunderstorms, gunshots and vacuum cleaners.
High-pitched ultrasonic sounds can very very loud and irritating to your dog and even have the potential to hurt their ears if they are powerful enough.
Often, if your dog is hearing a high-frequency sound, it's possible that it's high enough on the frequency list to bother your dog. Anything over 25,000 HZ can cause discomfort, and it will manifest itself in signs of anxiety, nervousness, aggression, and more.
You can use vinegar to keep dogs away from your lawn by spraying it around the perimeter of the area you want to be canine-free. Dogs don't like the strong smell of vinegar and thus will be deterred by it.
One of the gentlest pet-safe essential oils, lavender oil could quickly become your dog's new BFF (and yours). It can not only quiet a nervous and agitated pooch, but also help them sleep better - and can even cheer up a depressed pet.
Use Repellents
Something that is generally very effective is vinegar – dogs seem to hate the pungent, acrid smell of vinegar, and its application in a few strategic locations may do the job. Another popular – although sometimes controversial – option is cayenne pepper or strong chili powder.
Dogs sometimes feel disgust if they are pet when they do not want to be pet. At other times, they feel disgust when they see threatening dogs. You'll be able to tell when your dog is disgusted by watching their body language and responses to their surroundings.