The University of Glasgow, in collaboration with the animal shelter Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity, has concluded that music influences the attitude of ARISTODOGS. In other words, it can generate more positive reactions and behaviors in them. The researchers go even further and claim that our dogs may have a favorite genre (which would you say is your dog’s favorite genre?)
What do they base this on? Well, it’s very simple: as usually happens when there is no solid, well-established theoretical basis, when it is impossible to survey or interview those concerned… an experiment is carried out.
In this case, the experiment involved evaluating the physiological and behavioral changes in ARISTODOGS at a shelter in Dumbarton (Scotland) in response to different musical styles. The selected tracks included pieces of reggae, soft rock, Motown (soul), pop and, finally, classical music.
The dogs’ first reaction when they heard the music was to lie down. They all did it (they know how to behave!). In addition to observing their behavior, the researchers measured their heart rates and took saliva samples. They found that the dogs’ stress levels decreased while they listened to music. Specifically, their heartbeats became slower when soft rock or reggae was played. Surprising, don’t you think? (At first, one would probably think they would relax more with classical music).
In statements to a well-known tabloid, the head of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Gilly Mendes Ferreira, said that “at present, only the Glasgow and Edinburgh centers are able to play music in their kennels.” However, it is hoped that in the future every center will be able to offer a musical playlist suitable for caring for all the dogs under their protection after being abandoned. Without a doubt, considering the study’s conclusions, this will be extremely beneficial for them and make their stay in foster homes much more bearable until they find a new family that will love, respect and treat them as they deserve.
This case is particularly inspiring because of the social nature of the research and its defense of animal welfare. We encourage all animal shelters to try this initiative in an effort to improve the lives of the pets in their care even further.
We also invite ARISTOPARENTS to observe how your dogs react to certain types of music, always respecting and understanding that animals have more sensitive hearing, so special care must be taken with the volume levels to avoid disturbing them. Who knows: perhaps you will discover that, in addition to being best friends, you share musical tastes… and end up going to concerts together. (Only time will tell. One day, concerts will also be pet friendly —because concerts created exclusively for dogs are already a reality).
There is no doubt that music not only touches a chord in human beings, but also in animals. And our best friends, whether they are ARISTODOGS or ARISTOCATS (in this post we discuss the most suitable music for them in greater detail), can stimulate their imagination, release their inner energy or relax their minds and bodies in the same way we do when we listen to our favorite rhythms.
