The Soothing Secrets of Dog Music: Can It Really Calm Your Dog?
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Quick Answer
Music does seem to have a calming effect on dogs, according to research.
In one study, conducted in a shelter (animal shelters can be very loud, busy, and stressful environments), dogs spent more time resting when classical music was played.
However, exposure to heavy metal music encouraged the shelter dogs to spend significantly more of their time barking than any other kind of music (Wells, Graham, & Hepper, 2002).
Another study found that dogs’ Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was “significantly higher” (indicative of decreased stress) when soft rock music and reggae were played.
There was “a lesser effect observed when Motown, pop and classical genres were played.” (Bowman, Dowell, & Evans, 2017).
Why is dog music calming?
It’s thought that dog-calming music, canine lullabies, and other types of music all work by reducing stress hormones in the body and increasing levels of feel-good chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine.
Additionally, the vibrations produced by dog-calming music can help to stimulate the release of oxytocin, known as the “cuddle hormone.”
And, of course, it can mask scary background noises too.
Dogs can suffer from stress and anxiety for several reasons, including changes in their environment, separation anxiety, noise phobia (aka fear of loud noises, e.g. thunderstorms, fireworks), and even social anxiety.
So owners can use music to calm their dogs to help reduce anxiety in stressful situations such as these.
As with humans, music can help to soothe anxious feelings and have a positive effect to make dogs feel less stressed and more relaxed.
How is music used to calm dogs?
There are a few reasons why dog owners might turn to dog music, such as Relax My Dog or Through A Dog’s Ear, or any other kind of music to help keep their furry friends calm.
White noise
First of all, music can be a great way to provide some background noise. This can be helpful for anxious dogs or if your dog is particularly sensitive to sound.
Music can also help to mask other noises that might trigger your dog’s anxiety, such as the sound of traffic or thunderstorms, in the same vein as a white noise machine.
Vibrations
Another reason why music might be calming for dogs is because of the vibrations that it produces.
Dogs have a very keen sense of hearing and can pick up on even the slightest vibrations. When they’re feeling anxious, these vibrations can help to soothe and relax them.
Tones (avoid heavy bass)
The tones of the music can also play a role in how calming it is for dogs.
In general, dog-calming music tends to be relatively mellow and relaxing, without any sudden or loud noises.
It is best to avoid music with heavy bass, as this can be quite jarring for dogs.
Tempo
The tempo of the music is also important.
Slower tempos and regular rhythms tend to be more calming for dogs, while faster tempos can make them more anxious.
What other music do dogs find calming?
Not all music is created equal when it comes to calming dogs. As we’ve seen, certain characteristics make dog-calming music effective, such as a slower tempo and mellow tones.
Some dog owners find that dog-specific calming music, such as Through A Dog’s Ear or Relax My Dog, is helpful.
You don’t necessarily need to buy dog-specific music to calm your dog.
There are plenty of different options on YouTube that can be accessed for free.
This one by Relax My Dog is my particular favorite.
I put it on during thunderstorms when Lennox and Florence start getting nervous and pacing up and down.
We also put it on in the car when we collected Lennox from his foster home.
We’d only met him once previously and suddenly he was leaving with us for the first time.
He was extremely anxious on the long drive home, not knowing where he was going or if he was safe.
The music definitely had a calming effect and he was quite relaxed by the time we reached home (see the photo at the top of the page where Lennox was exploring his new yard for the first time).
Give it a try; if nothing else read the comments. They are both beautiful and heartbreaking…
Do dogs have individual music preferences?
Not all dogs will respond to music in the same way. Just like humans, dogs will have their individual preferences when it comes to music genres. Some may not like it at all and find it stressful, which is exactly what we want to avoid!
So if you’re thinking of using music to calm your dog, it’s a good idea to experiment with different types of music to see what seems to be the most effective.
Some owners find that classical music is particularly effective at calming their dogs.
I’ve always found that violins work best and have often played my dogs Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E or Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake which seem to have been especially effective.
(Our cat Loulou also loved Swan Lake, but that’s a story for another day!)
Other dogs might enjoy listening to soft rock, pop music, or reggae music.
Let’s also give a special shout-out to Spotify who proclaim they have the “Pawfect Playlist” for you and your pet! I
haven’t tried it yet but it’s definitely on my list.
When should you play music for your dog?
You can play dog-calming music anytime you think your dog might benefit from it.
Separation anxiety
For example, if you’re leaving your dog home alone and know they get anxious when you’re gone, playing some music for them before you leave can help to reduce their anxiety.
Signs of stress may include pacing, panting, whining, and actively trying to prevent you from leaving.
When we first adopted our beautiful pitbull/Labrador mix Maggie from the Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation in Los Angeles, she would mouth at your bag or any item of clothing she could to try to prevent you from walking out the door.
Noise phobia
Dog-calming music can also be helpful if your dog is afraid of loud noises, such as thunderstorms or fireworks. Playing soothing sounds during these times can help to distract them from the noise and make them feel more relaxed, keeping levels of stress lower.
This means cortisol levels are also lower (cortisol, aka the stress hormone or fight or flight hormone, is secreted during times of stress), which is better when considering the long-term effect on the dog’s immune system.
Stressful situations
Finally, dog-calming music can be a great way to create a calm environment for your dog. If you find that your dog is getting stressed out by their surroundings, playing some calming music can help to create a more relaxed atmosphere.
How can you tell if the dog likes the music?
There are a few ways to tell if your dog is enjoying the particular type of music you’re playing for them.
Firstly, provide an option for the dog to move away. If he moves to another room then he most likely he’s not enjoying the music, or it’s too loud for him. Try lowering the volume or changing it to something else.
Remember that dogs’ ears are more sensitive than ours, and their hearing ranges are wider than ours too. Quiet, soothing music is preferable to loud music, or very fast music.
Secondly, if your dog starts to visibly relax or starts dozing off, then you can be confident that the music may be helping him feel calmer.
Use dog calming music in conjunction with other calming aids
Make sure your dog has access to a quiet environment where he feels safe. This may be his bed or a certain room or space.
Our dog Louis was terrified of thunder and would always go into the bathroom and hide there trembling.
I used to go and sit with him, talking to him, giving him some Galen Myotherapy massage, and playing him some calming dog music.
You can also try a calming product such as an Adaptil Calming Pheromone Collar or an Adaptil Diffuser, which can help in some cases.
We had an Adaptil diffuser for Louis and he calmed noticeably throughout its use.
I should add that he was an incredibly fearful dog, who had spent the first two years of his life chained up in the desert so he had all sorts of fearful behaviors.
But the diffuser helped so it may be worth a try for you too.
Other options are TTouch body wraps or a Thundershirt Anxiety Jacket, Rescue Remedy, or giving your dog a stuffed Kong to chew.
Chewing is a relaxing activity for dogs. As renowned dog training expert Victoria Stilwell explains, it acts as a “potent stress reliever and releases pleasurable endorphins into the body.”
Another option is scattering some treats on the ground, either in the home or outdoors, and allowing your dog to sniff them out.
You can make this harder by hiding them in old pizza boxes or under whatever objects you have outside so the dog has to work to get to them.
By engaging the dog’s brain in this way, he will start to think more rationally (problem solve) and become less emotionally reactive. And sniffing lowers heart rate and blood pressure, which is automatically calming.
One final thing you can try is spreading some peanut butter (please make sure it is xylitol free as xylitol is toxic for dogs), cream cheese, or any kind of cat food on a LickiMat or similar so again the dog will have something else to focus on.
Just like chewing, “licking releases endorphins that help make [dogs] feel relaxed, calm and happy,” says The Kennel Club.
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Recommended Products
- Adaptil Calming Pheromone Collar
- Adaptil Diffuser
- Kong
- LickiMat
- Relax My Dog Music
- Rescue Remedy
- Tellington TTouch Body Wraps
- Through A Dog’s Ear (iCalmPet)
- Thundershirt Anxiety Jacket
Resources
- 15 HOURS of Deep Separation Anxiety Music for Dog Relaxation! Helped 4 Million Dogs Worldwide! NEW! [Video File] – Relax My Pet
- Body Wraps: From a Sensory Perspective – Kathy Cascade
- Chewing – Victoria Stilwell Positively
- Pawfect Playlist – Spotify
- The effect of different genres of music on the stress levels of kennelled dogs (in Physiology & Behavior, March 2017, Volume 171, Pages 207-215) – A. Bowman, Scottish SPCA, F.J. Dowell, N.P. Evans
- The influence of auditory stimulation on the behaviour of dogs housed in a rescue shelter (in Animal Welfare, Volume 11, Number 4, November 2002, pp. 385-393(9) – D.L. Wells, L. Graham, & P.G. Hepper
- What Galen Myotherapy Can Help With – Galen Myotherapy
- Why does my dog lick me so much? – The Kennel Club
NEED A DOG TRAINER OR BEHAVIOR EXPERT? If you need more help dealing with a training or behavior issue, please find professional help from a force-free dog trainer who can consult with you either in person or remotely. GOOD PLACES TO START ARE: - COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers - Pet Dog Trainers of Europe - International Companion Animal Network - Institute of Modern Dog Trainers - Pet Professional Guild All dog owners deserve to have successful relationships with their canine companions!
