Introduction
Our four-legged friends can detect sounds between 40-60,000 Hz, while humans hear in the range of 20-20,000 Hz. Of course, this may vary depending on the breed, but let's assume most dogs hear in this range for today's purposes. This gives us a better idea of what kinds of sounds and noises dogs can hear.
When it comes to music, dogs are quite receptive, even if they don't know exactly what these sounds are! Low bass, for one, dogs can hear, and they can also detect much higher pitches than the human ear.
Signs Your Dog Can Hear Bass
Many experts believe that dogs with large, erect ears can hear upwards of 75,000 Hz, which is why they often react to noises that are well beyond our range. As you can see from the comparison between dog's hearing and ours, they have a far greater ability to hear sounds of a higher pitch over those that are low. They can also pick up on many different sounds we can't in everyday life, such as certain noises on the TV and noises from common household appliances.
Each dog is different, but there are a few common behaviors your dog will display when they hear a sound like low bass. You may notice their ears moving independently of one another, twitching back and forth, or even lying down on their head if the noise is just too much.
Bass, for one, often carries deep vibrations that we can feel in our bodies, and the same goes for your furry best friend. This is something to consider when you are cranking up the sound system and jamming out to your favorite tunes!
Body Language
- Listening
- Raise ears
- Back hair on edge
- Ears up
Other Signs
- Looking around for the noise
- Dropped ears
- Leaving the room (it's just too much!)
History of Dogs Hearing Bass
Humans love music, there's no question about that, but how do dogs feel? While it would be a lot easier if we could just ask them what they thought about our favorite song, it simply doesn't work that way. Researchers and scientists alike have spent countless hours studying how dogs hear and what noises they can detect. We know that their hearing range is impressive, to say the least, and we also know they can hear things we cannot.
However, we don't know exactly what common sounds in our world - like our favorite Bob Dylan song - sounds like to our furry friends. Because of this, it is also a good idea to play it safe and not expose our dogs to too loud of music. The last thing you want is to damage your ears just because you wanted to feel that bass!
Science Behind Dog Hearing Bass
Dogs can hear a much broader range than we can, especially on the higher end. However, they may not be able to hear sub bass, which usually ranges from 20 to 60 Hz. Sub bass is the first usable low frequencies in most musical recordings, and it is often felt more than it is heard. The next step up is the most broad spectrum of bass and these signals typically lie around 90 to 200 Hz, which is well within your dog's range of hearing.
Training Your Dog to Hear Bass
As discussed, bass can range in frequency, from as low as 20 Hz to 20 kHz for 'brilliance bass'. Most dogs cannot hear the low, low bass, but they can hear pitches way higher than we could imagine hearing. If you want to train your pooch to respond to a certain sound or song, make sure it isn't in a range that could cause damage. Once you've done this, you are in the clear. Training your dog to respond to music won't be easy, but it can be done with a lot of hard work, repetition, and treats!
Safety Tips for When Your Dog Hears Bass:
-
Make sure it's not too loud.
-
Consider doggy ear muffs or earplugs.
-
Don't expose your dog to loud noises on a regular basis.
-
Watch their behavior.