Dogs and Music – Do Dogs Like Listening to Music?

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Your dog probably knows what type of music you like! However, do you know what type of music your dog likes? In fact, are you aware that there is a connection between dogs and music?

First of all, it is important to understand that dogs have way better hearing than us. They can perceive frequencies almost twice that of ours and can hear sounds approximately four times farther away.

Therefore, the connection between dogs and music is somewhat different than our connection with music. But, music can still have a powerful effect on us all.  

Moreover, it is probably safe to say that music plays an integral role in your life. Although each of us has a preference for what music we listen to, the sounds evoke emotions. Similarly, music affects the emotions of our dogs. 

Dogs and Music Connection

In order to have a connection with something, you pretty much need to like it or enjoy it. So, do dogs enjoy listening to music? Well, that just might depend on the type of music they are hearing.

“Slower tempos, simpler patterns and lower frequencies discharge the canine nervous system. However, faster tempos, more complex music (a multitude of instruments) and higher frequencies charge the canine nervous system.”

Lisa Spector, co-founder of Through a Dog’s Ear

Furthermore, research proves that dogs prefer certain music by reacting differently to particular types of music. Deborah Wells, a research psychologist, examined the reaction of shelter dogs to hearing a variety of music.

Wells exposed the dogs to modern pop music, classical music, and heavy metal.  But, they were also exposed to human conversation recordings and to quiet time. This was to make sure the dogs were really responding to the musical aspects of the sounds. 

After that, she determined that dogs might actually enjoy the music, depending on what kind it is.

The shelter dogs didn’t seem to have any noticeable reaction to pop music, such as Britney Spears. However, when listening to heavy metal music, such as Metallica, the dogs became agitated and began barking.

Classical music, such as Grieg, Vivaldi, and Beethoven seemed to have a calming effect on the dogs. Their barking level significantly reduced and they would even relax by laying down.

“It is well established that music can influence our moods. Classical music, for example, can help to reduce levels of stress, whilst grunge music can promote hostility, sadness, tension and fatigue. It is now believed that dogs may be as discerning as humans when it comes to musical preference.”

Deborah Wells, Reader, School of Psychology, Behavioural Development and Welfare

Dogs and Music Preference Other Than Classical

Wells’ research proves that dogs have a classical music preference due to their relaxation while listening to it. However, a more recent study has found that dogs may have a musical preference other than classical music. 

The 2017 study, conducted by the Scottish SPCA and the University of Glasgow, shows which types of music dogs love most. This study found that dogs are more relaxed and less stressed while listening to reggae and soft rock.

Researchers examined 38 kenneled dogs over five days while they listened to five genres of music. For instance, soft rock, Motown, pop, reggae, and classical music were played for the dogs. The physiological and behavioral response was observed.

While listening to reggae and soft rock, researchers determined that the dog’s Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was higher. HRV is the time interval between heartbeats, so this means the dog’s stress was decreased.

Furthermore, the dogs spent much more time lying down while listening to all five genres of music. Therefore, indicating that the dogs were more relaxed.

Just like Wells’ research, this study found classical music to have a calming effect. However, their discovery was that it was only initially and after a few days, the dogs became bored. So, this study determined that reggae and soft rock came out on top. These two genres were best at reducing stress, barking and heart rates.

“We speculate this is because those genres have a rhythm that is similar to the dogs’ own heart rate. When a puppy is feeling stressed it will snuggle into its mother and use her heartbeat as relaxation, so this music mimics that.”

Gilly Mendes Ferreira, Scottish SPCA head of research

Dogs and Music Benefits

For starters, people have been playing music to calm dogs during stressful situations for a while now. Fireworks or thunderstorms or even a car ride are situations where music is played to calm a dog.

Here are a few additional situations in which dogs can benefit from music:

• when a restless puppy or dog can’t fall asleep
• at the veterinary clinic 
• traveling in a car around town or on a trip
• staying home alone
• time spent in a crate or safe space
• a new puppy’s or dog’s adjustment period
• during training situations
• when sick or recovering from surgery
• while feeling depressed

Moreover, it is best to understand that what works for one dog may not work for another dog. So, you will need to pay attention to how your dog responds to music. To clarify, you will go through a lot of trial and error.

Tips:

• Do not allow music to become a predictor of a stressful situation. For instance, don’t only play music when you are going to leave your dog home alone. You want to ensure that your dog has a positive association with music. So, you will need to play music during calm, happy moments, such as during meal time.
• Remember that your dog has sensitive ears, so be sure to not play any music too loudly.

Above all, whether it be reggae, soft rock, or classical, enjoy the music along with your dog. By doing so, you will create a beautiful dog parent and doggo emotional bonding experience.

Dogs and Music Created for Them

Are you aware that adult dogs have approximately the intelligence of a human toddler? So, keep that in mind when choosing music for your dog. You can always decide if you would play the choice of music for a baby.

“Pay attention to your dog’s reaction when you’re around. Some dogs have been known to howl along to their favorite songs. If your dog shakes, whimpers, or pants as music is played, it’s making them anxious and needs to be changed, lowered, or turned off.”

Li-ran Bukovza, founder of PuppyTip, a dog advice website

On the other hand, you can put on some music created just for dogs. Have you heard of dog-oriented music? It is fast becoming a successful new genre.

There are lots of different avenues out there for music just for dogs. Musicians have created classical albums with dogs in mind. Even Spotify has playlists specifically geared toward dogs. 

In addition, there are YouTube channels offering free songs created for a dog’s listening pleasure. Relax My Dog production company is leading this trend with embedded dog-friendly frequencies.  Amman Ahmed and producer Ricardo Henriquez founded this channel in 2011.

“It compomprises a range of frequencies that the dogs can hear, combined with music that is designed to be relaxing to humans, since if the human is relaxed, that energy can be projected on to the dog also.” 

Amman Ahmed, Relax My Dog founder

To Sum Up

So, there really is a connection between our dogs and music based on scientific studies. Whether it’s to bond with us, ease their stress, or just relax, our dogs like listening to music. 

See what happens with your dog when you throw on some classical music, reggae, or soft rock. If you’re lucky, maybe you and your dog will like the same type of music. You might be pushing your luck though, if you have more than one dog. LOL!

These signs might be noticeable when your dog is reacting to music:

• alert barking
• panting
• jumping up
• howling
• ears up
• appearing less anxious
• stopping what they are doing to listen
• being quiet or relaxed

Check out this post on dog separation anxiety from our Dog Health and Wellness blog section. Or, you might like reading why Dogs Need to Sniff for Their Emotional Health.

Do you have any experiences with dogs and music? Please share these with us in the comments below.

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