Dog knows that arriving car is yours? Acute hearing

Dear Cathy: When our son was in his carousing years, and we had our border collie, she would sleep in his room until he got home in the wee hours. She would get up and go to the front door when she heard his 1982 Datsun turn onto our block from 10 houses away. How could she hear any car that far away, and how would she know it was his car? That was 40 years ago, but it still amazes me. — Richard, Westbury, New York

Dear Richard: Dogs have a much keener sense of hearing than we do. In fact, in most instances, dogs can hear 100 times better than humans, depending on the frequency of the sound.

Your dog can not only hear the car as it turns onto the street but recognizes some higher frequency engine sounds that you and I can’t hear. That incredible sense of hearing, combined with your son perhaps arriving around the same time, is how your dog knew your son would be pulling into the driveway at any moment.

Dear Cathy: In response to the letter from Susan, of East Northport, New York, who had a neighbor’s dog peeing in the same place in front of her house: Many years ago, I had a similar problem.

I resolved it by sprinkling black pepper on the area. It covered the odor from previous visits. In my instance, I saw the dog sniff the area and pass it by.

His owner was puzzled that the dog didn’t relieve himself on that same spot.

I did not have to speak to the dog owner. My solution did not require adding any elements to our environment. I did not have to go shopping for the solution. It only cost pennies. And, best of all, the dog owner saw no evidence that I had taken any action at all.

Over time, I had to repeat the application, but for me, it was an easy, cost-effective solution to an annoying problem. — Diane, Glen Burnie, Maryland

Dear Diane: Thanks for sharing your tip. Susan’s issue was that a neighbor’s dog was peeing on the street in front of her house, and she could smell it. I am not sure how this would work on a street where cars will dissipate the cover-up quickly, but black pepper and vinegar are two products that, when applied to certain areas, may discourage a dog from peeing in the same spot.

The reason that I recommend products over home solutions is that I know they are humanely developed for this purpose and give application instructions on usage that I know will be safe for animals.