What Kind of Music Calms Dogs?
Published: July 14, 2025
Can Music Help Calm Your Dog?
Just as music can soothe human nerves during stressful times, growing evidence suggests that dogs may benefit from calming melodies too. Whether your pup is uneasy during fireworks, suffers from separation anxiety, or simply needs help settling down, music might be a surprisingly effective tool for emotional support.
What Types of Music Do Dogs Respond To?
Several studies have shown that music can influence canine behaviour. A 2002 study by Dr. Deborah Wells found that dogs exposed to classical music spent more time lying down and less time barking or standing compared to dogs exposed to heavy metal, pop music, or silence.
In 2005, veterinary neurologist Dr. Susan Wagner determined that solo piano music created using psychoacoustic principles (featuring slower tempos and simpler tones) had the strongest calming effect. Dogs exposed to these sounds relaxed faster than those listening to general classical music.
Further research in 2012 by Dr. Lori Kogan at Colorado State University confirmed these findings. Her kennel-based study showed that classical music helped dogs sleep more and bark less. Interestingly, a 2017 study added that genres like soft rock and reggae also appeared to relax dogs, increasing heart rate variability and reducing visible stress behaviours.
Dog-Specific Calming Music
If you’d like to explore music tailored to canine ears, here are a few suggestions:
- Sparse Piano: Epidemic Classical.
- Canine Lullabies: Designed with a consistent beat and soft instrumentation.
- Pet Acoustics® Pet Tunes: A pre-loaded music speaker with 90 minutes of calming tracks.
- YouTube: Search “relaxing dog music” for hours-long playlists with soft tones.
- Spotify: Follow pet-themed playlists under Preventive Vet or dog anxiety keywords.
- Apps: The “Sound Proof Puppy Training” app helps with noise desensitisation using musical tracks and realistic sound effects.
When Should You Play Calming Music?
Music can help soothe dogs in a variety of common situations:
- During crate time: Helps create a calm, restful environment in their safe space.
- When settling into a new home: Useful for new puppies or rescue dogs adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings.
- During travel: Reduces stress during car rides, especially if you use the same music you’ve played at home.
- When home alone: A familiar sound can ease separation anxiety—but make sure to play it while you’re home too, so it doesn’t become a cue that you’re leaving.
- During fireworks or thunderstorms: Music can help mask scary noises and distract nervous pups.
Training Tools for Sound Sensitivity
Early and positive exposure to new sounds is key to preventing noise-related phobias. Ideally introduced during a puppy’s socialisation window (5 to 16 weeks), this training can still be helpful for older dogs too.
Trainer Victoria Stilwell collaborated with Through a Dog’s Ear to create soundtracks that gradually introduce noises like fireworks, sirens, and crowds at low volume. This method pairs calming music with gentle exposure and is ideal for counterconditioning and desensitisation work.
Tips for Playing Music for Dogs
- Keep volume moderate or low—dogs hear four times better than humans.
- Try multiple genres to learn your dog’s personal preferences.
- Use music as part of your everyday routine—not just when your dog is alone.
- Watch for signs of relaxation (yawning, lying down, slower breathing).
