Do Dogs Respond to Music? If So, How?

If you’ve ever played music around your dog before, you may notice that they actually seem to enjoy some kinds of music. Some dogs sing along, some jump around, some like to listen and become visibly happier or calmer, and some seem to be paying a lot of attention.

Studies have found that dogs respond to different types of music in different ways, likely due to how sounds are used to communicate for dogs. They howl, bark, yip, and growl, and therefore many of them have an appreciation for some sounds. From all this research, special music catered to dogs has been created!

Depending on the kind, music can make a dog relax or make them excited. Classical music typically causes relaxation, lessened barking, and longer sleep or nap times. On the other hand, rock music and its close genre cousins typically cause agitation, aggression, insomnia, and excessive barking.

So, do you know what kind of music your dog likes? Pay extra attention to them the next time you play music. Do they respond in a certain way to some songs? Their tail, ears, or overall mood may change when they hear something they like – or they may howl! Soothing music is best for anxious dogs, but you can always experiment to see what your dog best responds to.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay