Canine Concertos: How Music Influences Dog Behaviour and Wellbeing
People have long used music to set moods, create desired atmospheres, and evoke memories with family and friends. Increasingly, pet owners are discovering that the right song at the right time can have similar effects for their four-legged companions.
Music as a Training and Calming Tool
Pet owners, trainers, and animal shelter workers are increasingly incorporating music into their canine care routines. They use it as a training aid, a distraction from triggers, and to create relaxing environments for dogs kept in kennels or left alone at home. However, researchers emphasise that music's effects are context-dependent, varying significantly based on dogs' individual temperaments, the specific setting, the type of tune played, and the volume at which it's presented.
Social media platforms showcase numerous videos demonstrating music's integration into pets' lives. These include dogs howling along to melodies, relaxing to specially curated playlists or television channels while their owners work, appearing calmer during boarding situations, and being exposed to consistent songs to assist with crate training.
The Scientific Perspective on Canine Music Therapy
While some trainers consider music a helpful supplementary tool, many animal behaviourists—who study animal psychology and understand complex behaviours—suggest additional research is necessary to definitively prove music's effects on dogs and identify the specific situations where it proves most beneficial.
Seana Dowling-Guyer, a lecturer at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and associate director of a research program aimed at improving shelter dogs' lives, offers measured insight. "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," she states.
Her interest in the subject grew from practical experience working with shelter animals, where she observed that dogs barking or becoming excited in their enclosures sometimes deterred potential adopters. Shelter staff attempted to create calmer atmospheres by playing music, sparking debates about which genres worked best—prompting Dowling-Guyer's deeper investigation.
"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 explains, while cautioning that music should not be considered a cure for anxious behaviours or a replacement for formalised training.
Understanding Canine Musical Preferences
High Country Humane, an animal shelter in Flagstaff, Arizona, plays classical and instrumental music throughout its kennel floors. Shelter manager Megan Boyer observes, "It's really stressful here, and the classical music seems to help calm the dogs down. Everybody is a little bit less amped up. It's a stress reliever for the dogs."
Specialised dog music compilations typically incorporate elements designed for human relaxation while accounting for biological differences in how dogs hear and process sound. Aniruddh Patel, a Tufts University psychology professor studying music cognition across species, explains, "Dog-calming music is simplified classical music. 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."
However, experts note that not all dogs respond identically to classical music or similar genres. Lori Kogan, a Colorado State University professor researching human-animal interactions, suggests "dogs tend to habituate to what they are used to" rather than possessing innate musical preferences. Drawing parallels to human curiosity about cows' musical tastes, she adds, "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."
Practical Guidance for Pet Owners
Many pet owners leave televisions or music playing when departing to stimulate or distract their dogs during absences. Dowling-Guyer recommends varying playlists or programming to prevent pets from becoming bored or associating specific songs with negative events like their owners' departure.
Tawny Keiser, a 46-year-old family practice manager from the San Diego area, shares how a dog television channel on YouTube provides engaging diversion for Margarita, her 10-year-old pug with 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 reports, noting Margarita particularly enjoys dog cartoons featuring background music.
Observing pets' reactions when playing music through home speakers can yield valuable insights. Dowling-Guyer advises watching for discomfort signs like lip-licking or panting to determine if dogs dislike particular sounds. Otherwise, experts agree there's generally no harm in playing music for pets, though owners shouldn't be discouraged if dogs show limited engagement.
Dowling-Guyer also cautions dog owners about trainers presenting music as a comprehensive solution for behavioural concerns, stating "that is usually a red flag." The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists warns that improperly applied training techniques can inflict lasting physical and emotional damage on pets. Experts recommend seeking trainers with proper licensing, advanced degrees like veterinary medicine doctorates, or certification from recognised organisations such as the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists or the Animal Behavior Society.
