Even those who don’t consider themselves a great music lover enjoy listening to pleasant melodies and are aware that the type of music can affect the mood in different ways.
When we exercise or run, we choose fast, rhythmic and energetic songs. When we want to unwind before going to sleep, we prefer to focus on something subdued and atmospheric.
And how does it happen in the world of quadrupeds? There relaxing music for dogs anxious or agitated does it really work?
What are the effects of music on dogs?
The beneficial influence of music on a person – in particular the relationship between listening to music and emotions, mood improvement and physical and mental relaxation – had already been studied in the 1920s by the French neurologist and laryngologist Alfred Tomatis.
During his research, he observed that some songs – those with a high frequency – have a very positive effect on memory and concentration, they also regulate the work of the heart, help synchronize the cerebral hemispheres and simply give us energy.
According to Tomatis’ findings, the music by Mozart bring the best results: hence the term “Mozart effect” and subsequent worldwide attempts to stimulate better academic performance or support the treatment of depression through the music of the greatest Viennese classics.
Today we are not sure whether this is actually Mozart’s magic, but there is no doubt that music has a clear effect on the human body and mind.
Is it the same with animals? Their sense of hearing is based on slightly different mechanisms than ours. It is also known that dog hearing is much more sensitive than human hearing.
Does relaxing music for dogs work?
In recent decades, the influence of music on animal behavior has become a very popular research topic among scientists around the world.
The results of numerous follow-up experiments show that:
- Cows’ favorite composer is Beethoven (those who listen to him produce up to a liter more milk a day than their less “musical” counterparts).
- Hens are especially attracted to Mozart (the eggs they lay are larger and heavier than average).
- The best music for a dog is that of Bach and Schumann.
To us, dog lovers, the findings of Deborah Wells and her colleagues, presented in the report The influence of auditory stimulation on the behaviour of dogs housed in a rescue shelter” (Animal Welfare 11/2002, p. 385-393), look very interesting.
The scientific experiment
At that time, they were included in the study 50 dogs who were staying in a shelter. How did the experiment go? The dogs were divided into five groups: each of them was subjected to a different type of sound stimulation for 4 hours a day. Each group of dogs listened in turn:
- human conversations
- Classic music
- Heavy metal e musica pop
- No sound
How did it turn out?
Dogs who listened to classical music behaved much calmer: they barked less, played quietly and rested a lot.
So relaxing music for dogs worked. In the absence of sounds, pop music, and human conversation, there was no particular effect on canine behavior, while heavy metal music significantly stimulated the dogs, who howled and barked more.
It therefore seems that some musical genres actually stimulate the behavior of our four-legged friends in certain ways. So, yes, it would appear that relaxing music for dogs works.
What music is soothing for an anxious or agitated dog?
In addition to the research mentioned above, Dr. Wells and her team conducted a number of other experiments that showed that certain rhythms affect dogs in certain ways. It can be assumed that calm instrumental music normalizes their blood pressure and can improve their mood.
The drums, present for example in traditional African or Cuban music, will have the opposite effect: they will stimulate the work of the heart, raise blood pressure and restore vital energy.
Relaxing music for a dog can in many cases be similar to that intended for humans.
The presence of gongs or singing bowls have a beneficial effect on the mind and body, they can even soothe pain.
However, we must be careful of the sounds of nature, often present in music therapy addressed to us: the singing of birds and other animal sounds. While they usually have a calming effect on humans, they can have a completely different effect on dogs and cause anxiety resulting from not understanding the situation.
After all, the dog doesn’t realize it’s just a recording, so he’ll wonder who’s making these sounds!
However, it’s worth a try: for example if your pet doesn’t like to be left alone in the house or if it gets nervous while driving in the car. You may find that soothing sounds help your dog deal with the stress these situations cause.
Relaxing music for dogs on YouTube or Spotify
Relaxing music for dogs has long been available on many online services (such as YouTube or Spotify), as well as on CD. There are various online video viewing platforms. Among these YouTube which provides a large and varied catalog of movies.
However, each copy is different and may have specific tastes: a particular compilation may not be to your liking or may not have the desired effect. If this is the case, try a few different playlists labeled “relaxation music for the dog” and you’re sure to find the right one.
Is your faithful friend a music lover? You won’t know until you try it. But perhaps relaxing music for your dog will help him through stressful situations in the same way he helps you. It is therefore worthwhile to introduce calm and instrumental sounds into Fido’s daily life and observe his reaction.
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Article written for todocat.pl by Olga Balicka, a graduate in clinical psychology, with a particular interest in pets.