The Impact of Music and Sounds on Dogs

“Music is the universal language of mankind,” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote. But could that appeal transcend across species?

Countless dog owners tell tales of pups who have a strong relationship to music and sounds: both those they prefer and those they’d rather do without. Other dogs seem to largely ignore the background tunes, no matter how hard you worked on that special playlist!

So, what makes the difference between things dogs like to hear versus those they hate? A lot of it has to do with tempo and volume: sudden, loud sounds or fast, loud music can inflict pain on dogs’ sensitive ears.

Certain low-tempo music, however, can have a soothing effect, according to some studies.

There’s also a lot more at play, including genetics, early puppyhood experiences, and more. As a dog owner, knowing what separates “good sounds” from “bad sounds” can even allow you to make music work in your favor.

To that end, we’ve dug into the research on sounds and dog behavior, and here’s what we found out.

Dogs’ Acute Hearing Can Mean Loud Sounds Are Painful

When it comes to sounds dogs love versus the ones they hate, it often all comes down to volume.

Most people are aware of the fact that dogs can hear at a much higher range of frequencies than humans: 65,000 Hz, for some dogs, compared to the average human’s 20,000 Hz. What they may not realize is that dogs can also hear at a lower range of volume compared to us.

For sounds in between the 3,000 Hz – 12,000 Hz frequency range, dogs can hear at levels 5 to 15 times quieter than the human ear can clearly pick up. 

This impressive trait can explain why dogs sometimes sit up and listen or even start barking for seemingly no reason at all. They may be hearing noises outside that typically set them off, such as a squirrel or a distant car.

By the same token, sounds at a volume we consider to be loud can be painful to dogs. That explains why there are a few “usual suspects” for sounds dogs hate: vacuums, thunder, fireworks, and loud motors. 

Sometimes, such as in the case of vacuum cleaners, the most unpleasant sounds may not even be in a range our human ears can perceive. Combine that with the dog’s confusion at the source or reason of the sound, and you have a clear recipe for distress.

Some Dogs Do Like Music — But Not for the Same Reasons We Do

On the other side of the coin, there are sounds some dogs seem to love, and music can be one of them.

One Reddit user on r/dogs describes his 5.5 year-old French bulldog routinely coming in to join him when he starts practicing guitar. Musical artist Laurie Anderson even once hosted a concert intended for the enjoyment of dogs in Times Square in 2016. 

Legend has it that famous German composer Richard Wilhelm Wagner wrote music according to the responses of his toughest critic: his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Peps. The use of certain musical phrases that elicited a happy response or a tense response allegedly inspired the concept of “musical motif,” a device that permeates all modern music to this day.

So are dogs digging into the same things we are when they seem to enjoy music? According to experts, that depends.

Study Finds Dogs Prefer Certain Genres, Like Reggae and Classical

A study conducted by a Scottish research team in 2017 found that dogs respond differently depending on the genre of music they listen to. Soft rock and reggae, by a large margin, elicited the most relaxed and calm responses.

The dogs also seemed to enjoy classical, pop, and Motown music, albeit to a lesser degree. The study concluded that most music seemed to encourage the dogs to get settled and lay down while reducing physical markers of stress.

Heavy metal, the one outlier, seemed to make them agitated and more likely to bark.

Dogs’ taste in music most likely has less to do with the strength of composition or the number of instruments the artist could play proficiently (Prince could play 27, for the record). Instead, the soothing thrums of the rhythm and a low-set tempo seemed to make the biggest difference.

It also helped when sounds stayed mainly in the lower frequency sound ranges, which explains why reggae was such a big hit.

Another study from the University of Wisconsin took the research to a new level: it actually created music specifically for its pet audiences, which in this case were cats. Breaking all the rules of traditional composition, the research team developed experimental tracks intended to capture certain sound features that appeal to cats.

Fast-paced, high-pitched sections, for example, could appeal to their prey drive, whereas slower, lower-frequency thrums and vibrations mimicked the tonal qualities of a purr. This same approach could be used when developing music, especially for dogs, although that particular album has yet to drop.

Most Often, Dogs’ Response to Sounds Depends on the Dog

There are general reasons why dogs seem to love and hate certain sounds, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to the dog in question.

Some breeds and dog lineages have genetic predispositions towards sensitivity to noise or general fearfulness. Herding dogs, in particular, such as border collies and Welsh corgis, both have sensitive hearing and inherent hyperactive responses to stimuli, so they may be more likely to respond strongly to loud noises, for example.

Noise sensitivity can also develop from a traumatic experience or a series of them. Puppies are more likely to be “jumpy” at six months to a year, and any upsetting experiences during this time can cause a stronger aversion to certain noises.

Some dogs, on the other hand, don’t react much to noise at all, or at least don’t seem to show it. They may even seem drawn to certain music and sounds, even when they’re relatively loud.

The difference can come down to gene expression and the environment the dog was raised, in addition to whether or not they are simply predisposed to enjoy a good groove as part of their personality.

Tips for Helping Dogs Cope With Sounds They Don’t Like (Using Ones They Do)

If you have a dog who reacts strongly to unpleasant sounds, such as hiding during a storm or barking at the far-off sound of neighborhood kids, the trick is to lessen their level of exposure.

“The more exposure a dog has to a frightening noise, the more intense his phobic response is likely to become,” writes the American Kennel Club. To help, they suggest providing the dog a safe haven from the sound, such as a private room or a covered crate. Use curtains and blankets as a measure of soundproofing.

You can also use music’s impact on dogs to your advantage. Try to replace (or diminish) the sounds they hear using music that seems to soothe them.

Reggae can be a great choice (we recommend Steel Pulse), but you can use any music they seem to enjoy.

Another trick you can try is to play white noise or the sounds of TV to cover up whatever is causing them consternation. Audiobooks, in fact, can be an excellent choice compared to any specific music.

Veterinarian Dr. Luana Factor, speaking to Yahoo News, observes how “for dogs, a human’s voice often symbolizes security, warmth and a sense of belonging.” She adds that the consistent, predictable rhythm can act as “a stabilizing auditory backdrop for dogs, overshadowing abrupt environmental noises.”

With any sound exposure, though, keep things reasonable, experts caution. Dogs have the same safe hearing volume range as humans, meaning that anything above 85 dB can cause hearing loss after prolonged exposure.

That means try keeping your own music and TV down, no matter who is currently enjoying it. You may also want to avoid having dogs exposed to environments unprotected from loud noises, which means bringing them inside during periods when neighbors are setting off fireworks. 

Also, avoid bringing dogs to large gatherings with loud crowds or public music since they may become even more uncomfortable in a chaotic and unfamiliar setting.

If you notice any sudden changes in behavior or are struggling with extreme responses, such as fearfulness or escaping, then be sure to speak to your vet. They can help you determine if there’s an underlying cause, and they may recommend certain medications like Gabapentin for periods of high stress, like 4th of July.

Greenlin Pet Resorts Can Help You Train Your Dogs to Be Less Afraid While Providing Them a Safe Haven From Loud Sounds

If you’re currently struggling with your dog’s responses to certain sounds — or you simply want to improve your ability to live and do activities together — then dog training at Greenlin Pet Resorts in Lambs Gap can help get you both working in rhythm. Every training program is customized, so you can set personal goals for your dog, like not reacting to common sounds or not being as fearful around loud sounds. 

We also pull out all the stops for our dog boarding guests, giving them their own air-conditioned kennel separated from the noise and activity in the rest of the building. At bedtime, we may even play classical music to help all of our happy campers get settled.

Likewise, our dog daycare services in Lambs Gap can help give your pup somewhere to hang and be themselves if something loud or distressing is going on in your neighborhood.

As you can see, there are lots of reasons to bring your chord-loving canine to Greenlin Lambs Gap! Our five-star treatments will be music to their ears, so be sure to call us at (717) 732-2255, contact us online, or visit our location on Lambs Gap Road to learn more about our services.