Noise phobia is an issue faced by countless pet parents. They try everything including weighted blankets, thunder shirts, aromatherapy, Hemp oil, and anti-anxiety medications with varying results. Sometimes their efforts pay off, but every clap of thunder or bang from a nearby firework has potential to send their dogs scurrying for safety. Dogs with noise phobia bark, whine, and whimper, and sometimes they can’t help but destroy the house in their fear. In the worst case scenarios, dogs have jumped through glass doors and windows and seriously injured themselves in attempts to escape the terrifying sounds.
It’s a problem with no guaranteed fix, but a high-tech solution was recently unveiled by an unlikely source. Car makers from Ford Motor Co. have created a prototype dog kennel that’s designed to protect dogs from loud noises and keep them calm.
The modern-looking kennel uses the same noise-canceling technology Ford uses for its luxury vehicles sold in Europe. The technology detects specific frequencies and transmits opposing frequencies into the kennel to help block noise. The walls of the kennel are also reinforced with soundproofing and a soundproof automatic door. When a dog enters the kennel, the door automatically shuts and microphones around the comfortable bed emit calming sounds. The kennel also stops vibrations from reaching the dog. The result is a complete cocoon of calm no matter what’s happening outside.
Lyn West, brand content manager with Ford Europe, says the quiet kennel was designed as an example of how Ford’s technology can be used in other ways besides cars. She told the Detroit Free Press,
“We wondered how the technologies we use in our cars could be applied to help in other situations. Could dogs enjoy quieter New Year’s Eve celebrations through the application of our Active Noise Control system? We have a few more ideas in progress as to how our everyday lives might benefit from a little Ford know-how.”
The high-end vehicle currently boasting this noise-canceling prowess is the Edge/Endura SUV that comes with a price tag of around $40,000 depending on location. It comes as no surprise that the Ford quiet dog kennel would come at a hefty price if it were available for purchase. For now, however, the kennel is only a prototype. It’s not available for commercial production or sale, but it might be in the future. Director of marketing and communications for Ford Europe, Anthony Ireson, says if the prototype garners enough interest, the company is open to future possibilities.
There’s no doubt a noise-canceling kennel would be a safe haven for a dog suffering from severe noise phobia. Having a quiet place to go would make holidays like the Fourth of July more bearable, and pet owners won’t feel stressed every time the weather predicts a storm. Whether or not the kennel will be offered at an affordable price for the average pet owner, however, is yet to be seen.
h/t: Detroit Free Press
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
Toledo, United States.
