Can a dog be frightened by an air horn?

Dogs have a heightened sense of hearing, and they can detect a wide range of sounds. Some sounds can be soothing to them, while others can be terrifying. Air horns are loud, sudden and unexpected sounds that can easily startle a dog. It is important to understand the effects of loud noises on dogs to prevent the development of noise phobia.

The science behind dog hearing

Dogs have a much more sensitive hearing than humans. They have a range of 67 to 45,000 Hz, while humans have a range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. Dogs can also detect sounds that are four times farther away than humans can. The inner ear of a dog is designed to pick up even the tiniest of sounds, making them highly sensitive to noise. This sensitivity is what makes dogs prone to noise phobia.

How loud is an air horn?

Air horns are designed to be loud and attention-grabbing. They can produce sounds that range from 110 to 140 decibels, which is equivalent to a jet engine or a gunshot. A sound at this level can cause discomfort, pain and even permanent hearing loss in humans. For dogs, these sounds can be terrifying and overwhelming, causing them to develop noise phobia. It is important to note that air horns are not the only source of loud noises that can trigger a dog’s noise phobia. Other sounds such as thunder, fireworks, and construction noises can also have the same effect.