They can hear a wider range of frequencies and are better at sensing the direction from which a sound comes. Research shows that dogs also understand pitch, so, while she definitely doesn’t judge you, your puppy can probably hear those off-key notes in the shower.
You may be wondering if it’s all in your head or if dogs, like people, actually do respond to certain melodies when listening to music if your dog howls to songs or falls asleep when classical music is playing. There have been numerous studies on dogs and music, so you are not the only one who is interested. The results? Mixed.
In order to find out her opinion on whether your dog should have her own playlist, we spoke with Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist at Florida Veterinary Behavior Service and a host for Top Vets Talk Pets.
If you’re wondering whether dogs enjoy music, Radosta says it depends. Research indicates that when dogs are stressed, music may help.
A seminal study in 2002 compared how shelter dogs reacted to conversation, silence, heavy metal, pop, and classical music. Researchers discovered that dogs could be calmed by classical music. From standing and barking, the puppies transitioned to lying down and sleeping. Another study found that hospitalized dogs who were listening to harp music had better breathing and heart rates than those who weren’t.
However, recent research discovered that audio books, not classical music, were the most effective means of calming shelter dogs. What’s going on? According to Radosta, having a rhythmic sound to cover up ominous noises like hospital equipment or other dogs barking is probably having the biggest impact.
Many dogs have anxiety during thunderstorms and fireworks. However, dogs who are afraid of noise are also sensitive to common noises. According to Radosta, “Dogs that won’t leave the house almost always have noise aversion.” “We used to believe that the behavior was brought on by something else, but we now understand that 20% to 40% of dogs struggle with noise phobia. “.
Playing calming music or an audiobook may be essential for calming dogs who become agitated due to outside activity. A happier pet might result from drowning out those upsetting noises.
When your dog exhibits signs of stress, Radosta advises playing music to see if it will help. Body language that signals your pup is scared includes:
Dogs Don’t Enjoy High Pitches
The ears of dogs are more acute than ours, and they are capable of hearing frequencies as low as 16 to 20 Hz and as high as 70,000 to 100,000 Hz.
In contrast, the human ear can only detect frequencies between 20 and 70 Hz and above 20,000 Hz.
The reason is that dogs have smaller heads than we do; the larger the head, the lower frequencies a mammal can hear.
Because they are amplified to a certain extent, some of the sounds we are used to upsetting the dog.
If you’ve ever experienced a smoke detector going off in your home, you can appreciate how uncomfortable it is to constantly hear that screech.
Avoid Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston because dogs can’t stand high-frequency noises.
Some techno-style music, on the other hand, can work. Avoiding house and music with loud bass lines is a good idea, but your dog might prefer trance or slower iterations of this genre.
If there isn’t any high-pitched, continuous beeping, everything should be fine.
But above all, studies show that dogs mostly like soothing classical music.
What TV shows would work?
Start with a cooking show or regular talk shows that cover uninteresting topics and play in monotone. It will take some trial and error.
The programs that are most likely to have a positive impact on your dog are those that feature human conversation, cooking segments, or political discussions.
When you’re away from home, if your pet experiences fear or separation anxiety, they might just need to feel like someone is still with them.
Because they are pack animals, dogs only want a little company, which the sound of people talking will likely provide.
Noise Machines Can Work Too
Even though music is a fantastic tool for anxious dogs, some of them may still find it to be too much stimulation.
Look into a white noise machine if you discover that your dog does not enjoy music, even classical music, for a simpler, quieter way to calm a dog and allow them to enjoy some relaxing sounds.
White noise generators for dogs have pre-installed sounds that can be customized to your dog’s preferences.
Think of it as a dog-friendly iPod with a built-in playlist.
These three manufacturers are among the top dog white noise machines that pet owners frequently use:
They offer options for calming down anxious dogs, including waterfall, gentle rain, wind, ocean, and a variety of other unusual noises.
White noise machines are frequently preferred by owners over traditional music because they aid in relaxation for both them and their dogs before bed.
FAQ
Do dogs prefer silence or music?
A 2002 study conducted by animal behaviorist Dr. Deborah Wells verified that classical music has a calming effect on dogs. In contrast to heavy metal music, pop music, or conversation, the dogs in this study spent less time standing and more time lying down when exposed to classical music.
Do dogs really listen to music?
Wells looked at how dogs in a shelter environment responded to hearing heavy metal, classical music, and contemporary pop music. Depending on the type of music, she discovered, they might even like it. The dogs watching the show appeared to be unaffected by the pop music.
Do dogs enjoy music?
Dogs do enjoy music. Many people who play music for their pups notice changes in their behavior, which leads us to make assumptions about how they feel about the music. And not only do they enjoy it, they have musical preferences specific to their own personalities.
Do dogs like when you leave music on?
One of the less well-known remedies for dog separation anxiety is playing music. Playing music while you’re away from home can prevent your dog from becoming overly bored. Even music with species-specific frequencies exists that is intended to calm your dog.