Classical music has a relaxing and calming effect on dogs, just like to humans.
But a new study suggests that dogs of today prefer something different, something with a little bit more bite.
According to the results of studies conducted by the University of Glasgow and Scotland’s Animal Welfare Charity – the Scottish SPCA, dogs are happier listening to soft rock and reggae.
It’s also revealed that this type or genre of music provokes the most positive changes in behavior of dogs.
According to Mr. Neil Evans, professor of integrative physiology at the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine:
“Overall, the response to different genres was mixed, highlighting the possibility that, like humans, our canine friends have their own individual music preferences. That being said, reggae music and soft rock showed the highest positive changes in behaviour.”
He also added that there’s some evidence that suggests that the relaxing effects of music are related to the tempo or repeated motifs present in the music.
This makes him conclude that the reggae and soft rock genre have that more overtly expressed.
And because of this surprising discovery, the animal charity plans to install sound systems in its kennels to play Jon Bon Jovi and Bob Marley music.
The Scottish SPCA head of research and policy, Gilly Mendes Ferreira said that their Glasgow and Edinburgh animal centers are now piping this type of music into their kennels and they plan to do this to all of their centers in the near future.
She also mentioned that they are planning to extend their research to other species under their care.
This research is a follow up of their 2015 study when they found that classical music had a calming effect on dogs.
They observed one group of dogs in silence for a week while another group had classical music playing into their kennels.
In here, they found that music significantly decreased the stress level of our canine friends.
(via telegraph.co.uk, washington post, UPI, and BBC)
