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people Use music to set the mood, create the ideal atmosphere and evoke memories with family and friends. Playing the right song at the right time can have a similar effect on some dogs.
Pet owners, trainers, and animal shelter workers sometimes use music as a training tool to distract and create a relaxing environment for dogs kept in kennels or at home alone. But researchers say music is context-dependent, meaning the effects vary depending on the dog’s temperament, environment, type of tune and the volume at which it’s played.
Social media videos showing dogs howling to music, relaxing to the sounds of professional playlists or TV channels while their owners work, appearing calm during boarding and listening to the same song to assist with crate training are some of the ways music is integrated into pets’ lives.
While some trainers find music helpful, many animal behaviorists who study animal psychology and understand complex behaviors suggest more research is needed to prove how much music affects dogs and under what circumstances. Experts recommend making music a potentially stimulating experience:
Music as a support strategy
Many factors cause dogs to experience stress and anxiety, and there are many behavioral responses. Dog behavior experts and veterinarians say separation anxiety, noise phobia and other fears are common sources of stress that can exacerbate negative behaviors like aggression, submissive peeing or barking, or can lead to health conditions that require professional diagnosis or medication.
“Music may make dogs more relaxed, but if I wanted to reduce stress in my dog, it wouldn’t be my first choice,” said Seana Dowling-Guyer, a lecturer at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and associate director of a research program aimed at improving the lives of dogs in shelters or at risk of being abandoned by their owners.
Before working at Tufts, Dowling-Geye worked with shelter animals. The goal is to find them homes, but she notes that dogs barking, jumping or getting excited in the pen sometimes “put off potential adopters.” Shelter staff try to create a calmer environment by playing music. Workers’ arguments over the type of music played prompted Dowling-Geye to research the subject further.
“I’m interested in practical applications, not just for owners, but also in veterinary offices, groomers or other situations where dogs sometimes feel stressed or slightly uncomfortable,” she said. She added that music is not meant to or should be viewed as a treatment for anxious behaviors or conditions, nor should it be viewed as a substitute for more formal training.
Not all dogs like all music
High Country Humane, located in Flagstaff, Arizonaplaying classical and instrumental music on the kennel floor.
“It’s really stressful here and classical music seems to help calm the dogs down,” said shelter manager Megan Boyer. “Everyone is less excited. It’s a stress reliever for the dog.”
Dog music compilations often contain elements of music designed to help humans relax or sleep, but take into account biological differences in how dogs hear and process sounds.
“Music that soothes dogs is simplified classical music. It’s slow, repetitive, with a predictable structure and soft notes. Any predictability in using sound in an unpredictable environment can soothe an animal,” said Aniruddh Patel, a professor of psychology at Tufts University who studies musical cognition in humans and other species.
But experts say not all dogs enjoy classical music or display the same behaviors when exposed to similar genres. Lori Cogan Colorado State University A professor who studies human-animal interactions says that “dogs tend to become accustomed to the music they’re used to,” rather than having an innate preference for certain types of music.
Citing similar curiosity in humans about cows’ musical preferences, Kogan said, “I don’t think cows are hard-wired to like country music. What happens is that the people they interact with play country music, and the animals have started to associate that music with something positive.”
How to know if music helps your dog
Dowling-Geye said many pet owners leave the TV on or play music when they’re out and about to stimulate or distract their dogs while they’re away. She recommends switching playlists or shows so the pet doesn’t get bored or associate negative events (such as the owner leaving) with specific songs.
Tawny Keiser, a 46-year-old family practice manager in the San Diego area, said the Dog TV channel on YouTube has become a fun diversion for her 10-year-old pug, Margarita, who suffers from separation anxiety.
“She recognized the TV and would sit and watch it. She was engaged, often excited, jumping off the couch and sniffing the screen,” Kaiser said, adding that Margarita also enjoyed dog cartoons with music playing in the background.
Paying attention to the reactions of your family pets when you turn on your home speakers can provide helpful information. Dowling-Geye says it’s important to watch for signs of discomfort, such as lip licking or panting, to determine if the dog doesn’t like the sounds.
Beyond that, there’s no harm in playing music for your pet, experts say. Don’t be discouraged if your dog doesn’t seem to be participating, Dowling-Geye said.
She also wants dog owners to be wary of trainers, who say music can help with behavioral issues, saying “it’s usually a red flag.”
The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (the board for professional veterinary certification) says that if certain training techniques are applied improperly, pet owners may encounter services or advice that may cause lasting physical and emotional harm to their pets. expert It is recommended to look for a trainer with appropriate licensing, an advanced degree (such as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), or animal behavior certification, which can be from a recognized organization such as the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists or the Animal Behavior Society.