Do dogs like music? Experts weigh in on how songs affect our furry friends

People use music to set moods and evoke positive memories. The right song at the right time can have similar effects on dogs. Pet owners, trainers and animal shelter workers sometimes use music as a training tool, a distraction from triggers, and to create a relaxing environment for dogs kept in kennels or left alone at home. But researchers say the effects vary based on dogs’ temperament, the setting, the type of tune and the volume at which it is played. Social media videos show dogs howling to music, relaxing to the sounds of speciality playlists or TV channels while their owners are at work, and being crate trained with the help of songs. While some trainers consider music to be helpful, animal behaviourists say additional research is needed to understand how much of an effect music has on dogs and in which situations. Below are ways experts suggest making music a paw-sitive experience for dogs. Music as a support strategy Many things cause stress and anxiety in dogs, who respond in different ways. Dog behaviour specialists and veterinarians say separation anxiety and noise phobias are common sources of stress and can exacerbate negative behaviours, including aggression, submissive urinating and barking, and even medical conditions. “Music may promote more relaxation for dogs, but it would not be the first thing I turn to if I want to reduce stress in dogs,” says Seana Dowling-Guyer, a lecturer at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in the US state of Massachusetts who is also the associate director of a research programme aimed at improving the lives of dogs in shelters and those at risk of being given up by their owners. Before her work at Tufts, Dowling-Guyer worked with shelter animals. The goal was to find them homes, but she noticed that dogs barking, jumping or getting excited in their enclosures sometimes “put off potential adopters”. The shelter staff tried to create a calmer environment by playing music. Worker debates over which type of music to play led Dowling-Guyer to do further research on the subject. “I was interested in the practical application, not just for owners, but for veterinary offices, groomers or other situations where dogs were sometimes stressed or mildly uncomfortable,” she says, adding that music is not meant to be a cure for anxious behaviours or conditions and should not be considered a replacement for more formalised training. Not all dogs like all music High Country Humane, an animal shelter in Flagstaff, in the US state of Arizona, plays classical and instrumental music on the kennel floors. “It’s really stressful here, and the classical music seems to help calm the dogs down,” says shelter manager Megan Boyer. “Everybody is a little bit less amped up. It’s a stress reliever for the dogs.” Dog music compilations typically include elements designed to help humans relax or sleep, but tailored to dogs, who hear and process sound differently. “Dog-calming music is simplified classical music,” says Aniruddh Patel, a Tufts University psychology professor who studies music cognition in humans and other species. “It’s slow, repetitive, has a predictable structure and gentle notes. In an unpredictable environment, any kind of predictability using sounds could be soothing to an animal.” But not all dogs like classical music or exhibit the same behaviours when exposed to similar genres, experts say. Lori Kogan, a Colorado State University professor who studies human-animal interactions, says “dogs tend to habituate to what they are used to” as opposed to innately preferring some types of music over others. Citing the musical preferences of cows, Kogan says, “I don’t think cows are born liking country music. What’s happened is that the people they interact with play country music, and the animals have come to associate that music with positive things.” How to know if music will help your dog Many pet owners leave a TV on or music playing when they go out to stimulate or distract their dogs while they are gone, Dowling-Guyer says. She recommends switching up the playlist or programming so pets do not get bored or come to associate a negative event, like their owners leaving, with a specific song. Tawny Keiser, a 46-year-old family practice manager in the San Diego area, says a dog television channel on YouTube has become a fun diversion for Margarita, her 10-year-old pug who suffers from separation anxiety. “She recognises the television and will sit and watch it. She’s engaged, and often gets really excited and jumps off the couch to sniff the screen,” Keiser says, adding that Margarita also loves dog cartoons that feature background music. Paying attention to how a family pet reacts when you turn on home speakers can provide useful information. It is important to watch for signs of discomfort, such as lip-licking or panting, to determine if a dog does not like the sounds, Dowling-Guyer says. Otherwise, there is no harm in playing music for a pet, experts say. Do not be discouraged if your dog does not seem to engage with it, Dowling-Guyer says. She also wants dog owners to be wary of trainers who say music is a solution for behaviour concerns, saying “that is usually a red flag”.

Do dogs like music? Experts weigh in on how songs affect our furry friends

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Music seems to have a calming effect on dogs, but under what circumstances and which genre? Animal experts explain dog music dos and don’ts

Music as a support strategy

Music seems to have a calming effect on dogs, but under what circumstances and which genre? Animal experts explain dog music dos and don’ts