Dogs Have Emotional Responses to Music
Like humans, dogs experience basic emotions like sadness, happiness, fear, and anxiety. Parts of a dog’s brain, including the limbic system, are structured similarly to a human’s and serve the same emotional functions (Gailey, 2023). Since humans have emotional responses to music, it makes sense that dogs can as well. Music has the power to alter dogs’ moods, evoking responses like calmness, fear, or excitement.
Researchers have found that dogs do appear to have real emotional responses to music, similar to what humans experience. Specific parts of the brain activate in dogs when they hear music, like the auditory cortex and regions connected to emotions and reward (Amaya et al., 2021). Music can stimulate dogs’ brains to produce more dopamine, which improves mood. So while dogs may not analyze music the same as people, it can definitely have an emotional impact.
Science of Dog Hearing
Dogs have an incredibly wide hearing range compared to humans. While the average human can hear sounds between 64 and 23,000 hertz, dogs can hear sounds between 67 and 45,000 hertz according to Louisiana State University. This means dogs can detect higher frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans.
Due to their sensitive ears, dogs may have stronger reactions to certain musical instruments that produce high-pitched frequencies, like flutes, piccolos, violins, and even some singing voices. However, the loud volume of music can be uncomfortable or even painful for dogs’ ears. Their hearing is much more sensitive than ours, so sounds that seem normal to us can be extremely loud and irritating for them.
Music’s Effect on Dogs’ Moods
Research has shown that music can have noticeable effects on dog behavior and mood. Certain types of music tend to evoke different responses in canines.
Calm, classical music has been found to have a relaxing effect on many dogs. One study showed that playing classical music resulted in dogs spending more time resting than listening to other genres like heavy metal, pop or radio chatter https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7022433/. The relaxing properties of classical music are likely due to its predictable rhythms, tones and tempos.
Upbeat music, on the other hand, may have an energizing effect on some dogs. Faster tempos and rhythmic drum beats can cause dogs to become more active and agitated. However, the stimulating effects of pop, rock or dance music vary considerably between individual dogs.
Harsh, dissonant music containing clashing frequencies and irregular rhythms often provokes anxiety in dogs. Studies have found increased barking, shaking and other stress behaviors when dogs listen to punk rock, heavy metal or other chaotic music https://www.entirelypets.com/how-does-music-affect-your-dog.html. The unpredictable noises likely trigger uneasiness and hypervigilance in canines.
Association with Owners’ Emotions
Dogs are highly attuned to their owners’ emotions and can pick up on subtle cues that humans give off. According to research from National Geographic, dog owners often feel that their pets seem to know how they are feeling at any given moment. This is because dogs rely heavily on reading human body language and facial expressions to gather information about their environment.
Since dogs are so in tune with their owners’ emotions, they may have strong reactions to music that triggers an emotional response in their owner. For example, if an owner becomes sad or melancholy when listening to a particular song or genre of music, the dog may pick up on those emotions and begin to whine or cry as well. The dog is essentially mirroring the owner’s reaction, rather than having an inherent response to the music itself.
Pet owners should be aware of how their own behaviors and reactions can influence their dog’s responses. If an owner reacts emotionally to certain songs or types of music, the dog is likely to pick up on that energy and reflect it back through their vocalizations and body language. Being conscious of how we respond to music can help owners better understand their pet’s reactions.
Specific Triggers in Music
Certain musical elements tend to elicit stronger emotional responses in dogs. High-pitched instruments like flutes, piccolos, and violins can remind dogs of puppy sounds and trigger crying. Dissonant chords and irregular beats can also sound unsettling or anxiety-inducing. Lyrics about sadness or heartbreak may cause dogs to pick up on the emotion in the singer’s voice. And if a particular song is played when owners leave the house or crate their dogs, it can get associated with separation and trigger crying.
According to the American Kennel Club, songs with high-pitched sounds, like whistles and sirens, often make dogs howl as they mimic wolf calls. Up-tempo songs also rile up dogs more than slower tempos (Source).
Breed Differences
Some dog breeds are more sensitive to music than others. Herding breeds like Collies and Shepherds tend to be very responsive to music due to their heightened awareness and intelligence. According to research from the American Kennel Club, herding breeds will often react to music by singing along or howling.
Sighthounds such as Greyhounds and Whippets have less acute hearing and tend to be less responsive to music overall. However, these generalizations only go so far. Every dog has their own unique personality and preferences when it comes to music regardless of breed.
Dog-Specific Music
Some musicians have composed music specifically aimed at dogs by incorporating tones and instruments that dogs seem to respond well to. This dog-tailored music is designed to have a soothing, calming effect on canine listeners. By using high frequencies similar to dog whistles along with instruments like piano and guitar, the music can please dogs’ ears and relax their minds. Researchers have found that specially designed music with a slower tempo and gentle tones can help alleviate stress and anxiety in dogs, especially in stressful situations like long car rides or visits to the vet. While not all dogs are fans of music made for their own species, the compositions target the types of sounds and melodies that can appeal specifically to the canine ear. As dog ownership continues to grow, more musicians are exploring how to best make music that connects to dogs on an emotional level through their unique hearing sensitivities.
Other Soothing Techniques
In addition to music, there are other techniques that can help soothe anxious or stressed dogs. According to the ASPCA, exercise is an excellent way to calm dogs and work off excess energy. Long walks, playing fetch, or engaging with interactive toys can help relax a dog’s body and mind. The ASPCA also recommends physical affection like petting, stroking, or cuddling as soothing activities for dogs (Source). Gentle massage can release feel-good endorphins in dogs.
It’s also possible to train dogs to associate music with being calm through positive reinforcement. For example, playing certain music when the dog is relaxed and rewarding calm behavior with treats. Eventually, the music itself can trigger a relaxed response. Leaving the TV or radio on can also act as a distracting sound when dogs are home alone, according to PetMD (Source). The familiar voices and ambient sounds can be comforting.
When to Be Concerned
While most instances of dogs crying to music are perfectly normal, prolonged crying could signal distress in your pet. If your dog cries for more than a few minutes after music starts or seems unable to calm themselves, this may indicate a more serious issue like separation anxiety, dementia or a medical condition causing pain or discomfort.
According to the experts at WagWalking.com, if your dog has severe separation anxiety and cries inconsolably when you leave them alone, even with relaxing music playing, you should consult your veterinarian. They can help diagnose the cause and suggest approaches to ease your dog’s distress.
Additionally, dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome or dementia may become disoriented or upset by music as they age. If your senior dog starts crying at music when they didn’t before, schedule a veterinary visit to rule out any medical causes. With the right care and management, you can help comfort your dog and reduce crying episodes.
Understanding Your Dog’s Response
Pay close attention to your dog’s unique reactions to different types of music. Some dogs may become agitated or anxious when exposed to certain genres like heavy metal or electronic dance music. Others may perk up and get excited during upbeat pop songs. Take note of any triggers like loud volumes, repetitive beats, or high-pitched tones that seem to bother your pup so you can avoid those in the future.
Try playing different types of music when your dog is alone versus when you are home to see if their responses change based on your presence. Some dogs may associate certain songs with their owners’ moods and emotions. Seeing you calm and relaxed while classical music plays may help reinforce that association for them.
Experiment to find which genres and songs help create the most calming environment for your dog. According to the AKC, research suggests that classical music, reggae, and soft rock tend to have soothing effects on canines. Stick with those or any other mellow tunes you notice your dog responding well to when you want to help them relax.