The University of Glasgow, in collaboration with Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity, has concluded that music influences the attitudes of ARISTODOGS. This means that it can generate more positive reactions and behaviors in them. Researchers go further, asserting that our dogs can develop a favorite genre (what would you say your dog's favorite genre is?)
What is the basis for this claim? It's very simple: as often happens when there is no solid and proven theoretical basis, when a survey cannot be conducted, or the interested parties interviewed… an experiment is carried out.
In this case, the experiment involved evaluating the physiological and behavioral changes of ARISTODOGS in a shelter in Dumbarton (Scotland) when exposed to different musical styles. The chosen genres included reggae, soft rock, Motown (soul), pop, and classical music.
The dogs' initial reaction upon hearing the music was to lie down. All of them did so (they know best!). In addition to observing their behavior, researchers measured their heart rates and took saliva samples. They noticed that the dogs' stress levels decreased while listening to music. Specifically, their heartbeats slowed down when listening to soft rock or reggae. Surprising, isn't it? (One might initially think they would relax more with classical music).
In an interview with a well-known tabloid, Gilly Mendes Ferreira, head of the Scottish SPCA, stated that "currently, only the Glasgow and Edinburgh centers are able to play music in their kennels." However, it is expected that in the future, every center will be able to offer a suitable musical playlist for the care of all dogs in protection from abandonment. This, without a doubt, considering the conclusions of this study, will be extremely beneficial for them and will make their stay in foster homes much more bearable until they find a new family that loves, respects, and treats them as they deserve.
This case is particularly inspiring due to the social nature and defense of animal welfare in this research. We encourage all animal shelters to experiment with this initiative to further improve the lives of the pets under their care.
We also invite ARISTOPARENTS to observe how your dogs react to certain types of music, always respecting and understanding that animals have superior hearing, so special care must be taken with volume levels to avoid disturbing them. Who knows: you might discover that, in addition to being best friends, you share musical tastes… and end up going to concerts together. (Just wait. Someday concerts will also be pet-friendly—because concerts created exclusively for dogs are already a reality).
Undoubtedly, music not only touches the hearts of humans but also animals. And our best friends, whether ARISTODOGS or ARISTOCATS (in this post we talk in more detail about the most recommended music for them) can stimulate their imagination, unleash their inner energy, or relax their mind and body in the same way we do when we listen to our favorite rhythms.
