High pitch sound for dogs to stop barking – Does it work?

A high-pitch sound can interrupt a dog’s barking, but on its own it rarely fixes the problem. It works best as a short interrupter combined with rewarding your dog for being quiet, many dogs get used to the sound over time, and it can make fearful or anxious dogs worse. Keep reading to find out how it works, when to avoid it, and which tools to consider.

How do high-pitched sounds work?

High-pitched (ultrasonic) devices work by emitting a frequency that is too high for most humans to hear, but that dogs can hear clearly. The sudden sound startles or annoys the dog, which interrupts what they’re doing for a moment.

While we may not be able to hear these noises, they can be bothersome for our furry friends, and some dogs react much more strongly than others.

The idea is that your dog learns to associate barking with an unpleasant sound and barks less as a result. In practice, results are mixed: some dogs respond well, others ignore the sound, and many get used to it after a while.

Does it stop dogs from barking?

It can help, but only as part of training. Like us, dogs have an instinct to avoid unpleasant sensations, so a well-timed sound can interrupt the barking and give you a chance to reward the quiet moment that follows.

Just using high-pitched sounds by itself is usually ineffective. It also helps to know why your dog barks: alert barking, boredom and attention-seeking often improve with training, while barking out of fear or anxiety can get worse with an unpleasant sound and needs a different approach. If the barking comes with lunging at a fence, gate or window, read about barrier aggression in dogs first.

For example, if your dog is barking at another dog across the street, you would use the high-pitched sound and say “Quiet”. The moment your dog stops barking and looks at you, praise them and give a treat. If your dog mainly barks at things beyond the fence, also see how to block your dog's view through a fence.

You’ll need to do this repeatedly. The goal is for your dog to respond to the “Quiet” cue alone, so you can phase out the sound. After enough practice, most dogs bark less and settle down faster, although it’s normal for a dog to still bark now and then.

Make sure you’re not overusing the high-pitched noise as dogs can get used to it over time. Use it sparingly and only when your dog is actually barking. If the barking is bothering the neighbors, soundproofing materials that block dog barking can help in the meantime.

Is there any risk for your dog using high-pitch sounds?

Used occasionally and at a distance, high-pitched sounds are unlikely to damage your dog’s hearing. However, they’re not risk-free:

• Using them too much or too close to your dog’s ears can cause discomfort.
• Because they work by being unpleasant, they can make some dogs fearful, anxious or wary of you, especially sensitive dogs and puppies.
• They affect every dog (and many cats) within range, not just the one that’s barking, including your other pets and the neighbors’ animals.

Never use them on a dog that barks out of fear or anxiety. If barking is sudden, constant, or comes with other behavior changes, talk to your vet or a positive-reinforcement trainer, as pain, anxiety or boredom may be the underlying cause.

What are good high-pitch sound tools?

So, you want to try this method of training your dog. This means you’ll need a good high-pitch sound tool. There are many on the market, but not all of them are created equal. You’ll want to find one that is durable, has adjustable sound levels, and can be easily carried with you.

Here are a few options: