Dogs hear four times the distance of humans and can hear much higher pitches. Humans hear up to 26,000 cps (cycles per second) compared to dogs, who can hear up to 65,000 cps. The typical frequency of ultrasonic devices is 22,000 cps. At such a high pitch, humans can usually only hear the tone when they are very close to the device where dogs, depending on the setting, can hear the tone between 15 feet and 50 feet from the device. The devices caution that humans should not have the device close to their ears in order to prevent hearing damage.
Ultrasonic devices come as an object for deterring barking, a bark deterrent collar or a push-button training device:
1) The bark deterrent object is a stationary object from which a sound is emitted when the dog barks. The device has a microphone in it that senses dog barks and then emits a high-pitched tone. These devices are usually placed somewhere in the backyard.
2) The ultrasonic bark collar emits a high-pitched tone when the dog barks. The unit on the collar has a microphone and the tone goes off each time the dog barks.
3) The push-button training device is a handheld device that allows the owner to push a button to cause the high-pitched tone. These devices are used for a myriad of undesired behaviors such as jumping, barking, unruly behaviors, etc.
In years of experience as a pet behavior counselor and dog trainer I have used ultrasonic devices as a deterrent for training with mixed results. High-pitched noises at the range of ultrasonic devices do not typically occur in a dog’s environment so at first, the sound of a high-pitched noise is novel and may be curious or startling to a dog. While this may be so, high pitches are not inherently aversive to dogs and more often than not, dogs desensitize to these noises after a period of time, rendering the devices ineffective. In my professional experience, I find this is the most common result of using ultrasonic devises as a deterrent in training.
Conversely, I have documented cases of undesired effects.
1) In one particular case, the sound from the ultrasonic device caused such a tremendous phobic response in a dog that he sensitized to other sounds such as the sound of a camera turning on, common beeps made by other electronic devices and the “tinkle” sound of a bell on a toy. The dog’s reaction was to run away, hide, tremble and excessively salivate for a minimum of 30 minutes and a documented maximum of four hours.
2) In another case a volunteer at an animal shelter used a hand-held ultrasonic device to deter an off-leash-approaching dog that made her uncomfortable and upon hearing the sound from the device, the approaching dog growled and became threatening.
3) In another case, a hand-held ultrasonic device was used to distract two dogs that were becoming tense in competition over a toy. Upon hearing the sound from the device, the dogs erupted into a fight.
The efficacy of ultrasonic devices as a deterrent is marginal at best, and potentially problematic. I continue to recommend these devices on a case-by-case basis when tested with that case and proven effective, with my oversight, on a particular dog’s problematic behavior. In a vast majority of these cases, the effect wears off and other training methods must be utilized. In those cases where an undesired effect is elicited, use of the device is immediately discontinued.
Should you use such a device on your dog?
It depends on how your dog reacts to sounds and specifically to the sound from the device. Remember, while it may be an effective deterrent for your dog based on your observations of its effect on your dog’s behavior, other animals in proximity will hear it and have their own reactions. Please be considerate of other animals when deciding where and when to use this device. There are many training devices and options available to dog owners and careful consideration should be given to each option.
Sam Freeman, CPDT-KSA, is the president and owner of Pet Behavior Solutions and Edu-Care for Dogs of the Valley. She is the creator of the Core Behavior Assessment, which is the behavior evaluation program used by many animal shelters and animal control agencies in Arizona. Freeman is certified through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and has completed specialized education and training in psychology, learning theory, ethology, family counseling, behavior modification techniques, aggression, canine and feline behavior issues, and grief counseling. Visit her online at petbehaviorsolutions.com.
