Have you ever played a song and heard your dog howl along? People believe that dogs may enjoy the music. But is it so? How can that be determined?
According to Psychology Today magazine, wolves, for example, howl as a form of communication. As others join the chorus, a wolf will change his pitch to be different, which may sound mournful as the wolf modulates to find the new individual note. Studies showed that wind instruments triggered howling most easily. These instruments also slide fluidly from one note into another, giving the animal a sense of familiarity. But is it music?
Historically, many classical composers wrote with their dogs by their side, paying attention to how each segment affected the animal as a first audience for each new composition.
In 2011 psychologists in Belfast, Ireland, played various types of music to dogs at a shelter to study their responses in an effort to help them feel comfortable. Classical music was by far the winner in calming and positive responses. Grunge promoted ‘hostility, sadness, tension and fatigue,’ the report concluded. So yes, dogs have musical preferences. A second study of dogs by the Scottish SPCA and the University of Glasgow (which is also the center for animal communication studies) concluded that soft rock and reggae, too, are favorites in terms of stress reduction.
Studies of human music preferences show that we enjoy something in a similar vocal range that we can sing along with. It’s not far-fetched to suspect that dogs need the same – like the wolves and woodwinds.
We tend to think in human terms instead of what our dogs may really prefer, which could well be the sound of wind and bubbling creeks, birds and other dogs and animals.
Also, we should remember that a dog’s hearing is far outside of our range, and they may pick up sounds we’re not perceiving. So it’s best not to overwhelm them with very high, very low or very complicated music.
There are CDs and portable speakers for downloads of a series called ‘Through a Dog’s Ear’ that creates auditory comfort for anxious pets or older ones, general calming while you’re away, or the cheerful ‘Driving Edition’ for those trips to the vet. They’re also on Spotify.
A survey of 1,000 pet parents showed that dog favorites include ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham, ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘All I want for Christmas’ by Mariah Carey, plus songs by Chris Rhea, Michael Buble’ and Paul McCartney. Just about any warm-hearted or light-hearted song will do for your dog, especially if you’re singing along.
Heron’s Crossing provides end-of-life care for pets in the Metro Atlanta area. In-home appointments with compassionate vets are available. If you’d prefer a home-like setting away from your home, our Decatur office is also available by appointment.