Last Updated on February 15, 2024 by Fumipets
Soothing Harmony: Using Music to Calm Your Anxious Dog
Dogs, like humans, can experience anxiety and stress. Whether it’s triggered by separation, loud noises, or unfamiliar environments, calming an anxious pup can be a challenge.
In this guide, we explore a unique and surprisingly effective approach – using music to ease your dog’s nerves. Music has a profound impact on emotions, and when tailored to our canine companions, it can create a serene atmosphere to help alleviate anxiety. Let’s delve into the therapeutic world of canine tunes and discover how you can use music to bring comfort to your anxious dog.
Using Music to Calm Your Anxious Dog
Do thunderstorms or fireworks make your dog nervous? Is it possible that they have separation anxiety? Do they become worried when they hear sounds outside? Your dog’s tension may be relieved by playing music or using some type of white noise.
Music has been demonstrated to alleviate stress in dogs in animal shelters, with less barking, reduced respiratory rates, and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, according to recent research.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that the impact of music on human emotions has been studied for quite some time. Music therapy is utilized as a natural anti-anxiety medication and to aid in the treatment of sleep issues in humans, and it’s simple to apply to your puppy or adult dog.
What Kind of Music Helps Dogs Relax?
You may use music to help your dog relax and feel more tranquil – but wait! Certain types of music have been shown to be more relaxing for dogs than others. The most calming music for dogs in shelters is reggae and mellow rock, however classical music may also assist calm canines in stressful situations.
The most effective way to relieve anxiety and tension seems to be to mix up the genres indicated above. Dogs get used to the background noise after roughly 7 days of the same kind of music and begin to exhibit signs of agitation. Switch up the stations you leave on for your dog, letting him listen to Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac, and Mozart, for example. Preventive Vet has a variety of pet-related playlists on Spotify. Here’s a collection of our favourite Soft Rock for Dogs tracks to help your pet relax:
There is also music produced expressly for dogs, whether for general anxiety, separation anxiety, thunder phobia, or to assist a new puppy sleep through the night. See how Gnash, a musician, penned and recorded a song for his frightened dog Daisy:
Canine Lullabies and Through a Dog’s Ear are two of the most popular recordings for pups, nervous dogs, or dogs afraid of loud sounds, and YouTube has a plethora of soothing dog music selections. Although dogs have diverse tastes, the length of musical notes, the simplicity of tones, consistent rhythms, and the pace of the music are the most significant relaxing aspects.
There are more goods on the market that feature peaceful music to help people relax. One such device is the Calmz Anxiety Relief System, which promises to provide acoustic and vibration treatment to help dogs relax. If you wish to test goods like these, make sure you correctly introduce the wearable speaker to your dog and keep an eye out for any symptoms of stress produced by the product’s vibration. The Calmz has received mixed reviews. Some dog owners complained that the vibrating mechanism made their dog more uneasy, that the music was too loud for their dog, or that the harness didn’t fit correctly.
Always examine if a new remedy for anxiety could accidentally make your dog more nervous before implementing it. To figure out which items will work best for you and your dog, visit a veterinarian behaviourist, a professional dog trainer, or a behaviour consultant.
When to Play Calming Music for Your Dog
Music may help your dog in a number of circumstances, including:
During the first transition phase after bringing a new puppy or dog home.
If you leave your dog alone at home.
When your dog is confined to its crate, puppy zone, or safe place.
When there are thunderstorms or fireworks.
Assisting a grumpy puppy or dog to fall slumber.
During an examination at the veterinarian clinic.
To aid with travel anxiety while in the automobile.
Pro Tip: If you’re going to leave music on for a dog with separation anxiety, make sure you’re also playing it at other times while you’re at home. You don’t want your dog to learn that turning on the music implies you’re going since this will just add to their worry.
Using Music to Help Prevent Barking
If your dog barks at everything they hear outdoors, you may assist conceal the noises by playing music (or using a fan or white noise generator). When dogs hear anything outside, it’s natural for them to alert bark, and noise masking may be a useful management technique. This will reduce the amount of barking your dog does while he is alone or at night, which will benefit both you and your neighbours. The Snooz sound machine is something I use to hide external sounds that trigger my younger dog to bark.
Using Music to Help Your Dog Get Used to Scary Sounds
If your dog is already worried or afraid of particular sounds, such as thunder or fireworks, you should start a desensitization and counterconditioning strategy with a competent dog trainer.
It’s worth it to introduce sounds in a pleasant manner to puppies and dogs that haven’t yet shown anxiety or fear of loud noises in order to avoid noise phobia or anxiety from forming.
Exposure that is proactive The greatest method to avoid fear and anxiety later in life is via training and socializing. It’s best to perform it during your puppy’s imprinting stage (between 5 and 16 weeks of age), but it may be done at any age.
Victoria Stilwell, a dog trainer, collaborated with Through a Dog’s Ear to produce audio recordings that blend soothing music with low-volume sound effects such as fireworks, thunderstorms, and city noises. These are excellent tools for introducing new noises to a puppy in a pleasant manner or as part of a desensitization training program.
Another fantastic option to actively introduce your puppy to different noises during their socialization time is to use the Sound Proof Puppy App. It may be downloaded from both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Q&A: Harnessing the Power of Music for Canine Calmness
Can dogs really benefit from listening to music?
Absolutely! Music can have a calming effect on dogs, similar to its impact on humans. The key is choosing the right type of music that resonates with your dog’s preferences and has soothing melodies. Classical music and specially designed pet relaxation tracks are popular choices.
What signs indicate that my dog may be anxious?
Anxiety in dogs can manifest in various ways, including excessive barking, pacing, trembling, drooling, or destructive behavior. If you notice these signs, it’s essential to address the root cause and explore techniques like music therapy to provide comfort.
How do I choose the right music for my dog?
Select music with a slow tempo, minimal instrumentation, and gentle melodies. Consider your dog’s personality – some may prefer classical compositions, while others might respond better to nature sounds or calming instrumental pieces. Experiment with different genres to find what resonates best.
When should I play calming music for my dog?
Calming music can be beneficial in various situations, such as during thunderstorms, fireworks, or when your dog is left alone. It’s also useful for creating a peaceful environment during grooming sessions, vet visits, or car rides. Introduce music gradually to observe your dog’s response.
Are there any specific considerations for using music to calm an anxious dog?
Yes, it’s crucial to start with low volume to prevent overwhelming your dog. Monitor their reaction – if they seem relaxed, you can gradually increase the volume. Additionally, ensure the music is played in a calm environment, free from other stressors.
