Questions
- How dogs understand music
- Benefits of music for dogs
- Best types of music for dogs
- What is music therapy for dogs?
- How to introduce music into your dog’s routine
Music is a huge part of our everyday lives. Whether it’s relaxing, cathartic, or makes you get up and dance, it can release and inflict a variety of emotions. So, why can’t it do the same thing for your dog?
Playing music for your dog to listen to has been a rising trend over the past few years, in the hopes that it can be a wellness tool to soothe and relax your furry friend. Just like how you’d relax at a spa with calming music on, the same principle is applied to ease and calm your pet. There is science supporting the benefits of music for your dog, so keep reading to find out how music could become a key part of their daily routine.
It’s important to understand how sound impacts your dog before you introduce music as a wellness tool. Learn more about sound safety for dogs in this article.
How dogs understand music
It may sound surprising, but dogs are sensitive to certain musical qualities which affects their overall understanding of music. Most notably, they respond to changes in pitch and tempo, rather than melody or harmony. For a calming effect, slower tempos are more effective.
Your furry friend’s emotional response to sound is formed from evolutionary instinct, previous experiences and their own character. Sound can trigger curiosity, excitement, relaxation or fear, and is a huge factor in how dogs respond in everyday life.
There are notable differences between the music dogs prefer to the music humans like! Every human has individual music taste, but “catchy” songs that tend to be an earworm are usually a one size fits all approach – they’ll always make nearly everyone dance. However, these upbeat tempo songs won’t necessarily be pleasing for your dog. The ultimate goal of having your dog listen to music is to calm them, so look to slower tempo songs to achieve that effect. It is important to note that not all dogs will react the same way! What may work for your friend’s dog, may not work for your dog. Trial and error will be your friend.
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Benefits of music for dogs
So, you may be wondering what is the point of having your dog listen to music? Surprisingly or not, there is a whole host of benefits associated with your pooch listening to music.
- Calm their nerves: a slower tempo can mimic your dog’s heart beat which
- Improve their sleep quality: just like humans, falling asleep to music can be relaxing and help your pooch stay in a deeper sleep.
- Relieve separation anxiety: background music can be comforting and help soothe your dog whilst you’re away.
- Aid their training: repeated song exposure can allow positive associations and encourage your pooch to become more engaged whilst learning.
- Stabilise their behaviour: calming music lowers arousal which in turn can reduce any aggressive behaviour.
Best types of music for dogs
Curious how your furry friend would respond to different music genres? Research has examined how dogs respond to a variety of music styles, and the effect they can have.
Classical Music
Classical music is typically a slower tempo and more calming, with research explaining it has a soothing effect on dogs. It’s noted that the effect is short-lived, but can temporarily provide a calming effect for our furry friends.
Soft Rock & Reggae Music
Surprisingly, research conducted by the Scottish SPCA and University of Glasgow concluded that soft rock and reggae music had the most positive behavioural changes in dogs! But they also agreed that dogs do have individual music taste.
Pop Music
Research has suggested that the general reaction to pop music is, there is none! Particularly in comparison to rock or classical, pop music didn’t stimulate any changes in our furry friends, or generate a notable reaction.
What is music therapy for dogs?
Music therapy is a tool used in shelters or vet clinics to ease and soothe the canines they are housing. Most commonly, it reduces separation anxiety, fear of noise and calms their behaviour. In turn, it reduces barking and their stress levels, for calmer pups!
How to introduce music into your dog’s routine
If you’re thinking that music could be beneficial for your furry friend, there’s a few ways of incorporating music into their everyday routine.
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First things first, you need to create a calming playlist tailored to your dog. Try testing out different tracks to check your dog’s response, and if it has the desired effect, you know to add it to their playlist!
1. Bedtimes
Help your pooch drift off in a peaceful sleep quickly with their calming playlist. Bringing music into their bedtime routine is beneficial for their sleep, and helps your pup settle down without your presence.
2. Crate time
Creating positive associations with your dog’s crate is important to help them settle, and music can help them relax, especially if you’re training them to become comfortable in their crate.
3. General alone time
Unfortunately, you can’t be with your dog 24/7, so it’s important they can settle and remain calm when they’re alone. You should never leave your dog alone for extended periods of time, but for their solitary moments, music can be a real comforting presence.
Hopefully you have some more understanding about how music can be such a beneficial wellness tool to integrate into your furry friend’s life. It’s all about finding the songs they react best to, and using them to your advantage during stressful or solitary times. Try giving it a go next time your pooch seems unsettled and observe the effect music can have.