Your dog may not complain about whatever music you listen to, but according to a recent study, classical music may soothe him.
In this article, we will observe the effects of music on dogs and explain why some professionals think that dogs benefit from classical music.
Do You Play Music For Your Dog?
You are in good company if you play music for your dog when you are away or at work. Dog owners often do this for their dogs, particularly young puppies or a new dog in the home. Dogs’ anxiousness can be alleviated when something is playing in the background, including the radio, a television, or a white noise maker.
There is science to back this up – research suggests that auditory stimulation has a calming, comforting effect on dogs.
Can Classical Music Help Soothe Dogs?
A recent study discovered that classical music does, indeed, tend to calm our canine companions. In partnership with the Scottish SPCA, the University of Glasgow conducted the study, in which dogs were supervised in a kennel for two weeks; kennels are known for being stress triggers for several dogs.
There were two groups of dogs. For the beginning week, one group had classical music playing for them while the other group was monitored in silence. The music played was orchestral, with a low tempo. In the following week, the groups of dogs were switched.
Throughout the study, the dogs’ heart rates were monitored, saliva samples were taken to examine their cortisol (a stress hormone) levels, and their behavior was observed and recorded.
The Study Found Classical Music Decreases Stress in Dogs
The study found an immediate decrease in stress levels in the dogs who listened to classical music during their kennel stay. While these significant results were for the dogs listening to the music, the effects were short-lived. At the end of the week, their stress levels and heart rates had returned to normal.
The dogs had become accustomed to the music after as short a time as one day. It would seem that dogs, like humans, prefer a variety of music rather than repeatedly listening to the same thing.
Another fascinating finding was that the male dogs responded better to the music than the females. The males were discovered to spend far less time barking as the music played.
Previous Research Found Music Can Benefit Dogs
Previous studies have suggested that dogs receive several psychological benefits from the effects of music. As their initial results were so promising, continued studies are being planned. They will include different music genres to see which music dogs prefer.
The heart rates and behaviors correlated with kennel stress had returned to normal. The findings were encouraging, proving that classical music positively impacts dogs’ welfare, even for short periods.