Curating the perfect soundtrack is a must before any road trip, but if you’re bringing your furry friend along, they may want to have a say.
Studies have shown that certain types of music can actually help dogs relax when cooped up in the car.
Guided by research from the University of Glasgow, a music professor has put together the top ten tracks you can play your pooch while in the car.
The playlist features the Bee Gees, Bob Marley and Pink Floyd, with tunes in our pets’ preferred genres.
Sam Sutton from the University of West London, said: ‘Reggae and soft rock appear to have been the canine tunes of choice.
‘Perhaps the combination of pristine studio production and pleasing sound aesthetics contribute to what makes the dog’s playlist of choice.’
Research has shown that music can actually help dogs relax when in the car (stock image)
Guided by research from the University of Glasgow, a music professor has put together the top ten tracks you can play your pooch that can reduce their stress and anxiety on a road trip
In a 2017 study, dogs at a rehoming centre in Dumbarton, Scotland were played five different genres of music: soft rock, Motown, pop, reggae and classical.
Animal physiologists measured the dogs’ heart rates and noted behavioural changes while the music was playing.
They found the pooches laid down more and showed a decrease in stress levels, particularly when the tunes were soft rock or reggae.
Although these genres stood out, Professor Neil Evans, who led the study, said the research suggested each dog had its own music tastes.
He said: ‘Overall, the response to different genres was mixed, highlighting the possibility that, like humans, our canine friends have their own individual music preferences.’
According to hotel booking platform justhooit, more than 65 per cent of dog owners have noticed that their pooch gets stressed while travelling in a car.
To help relax our pups while on the road, Professor Sutton has created a Spotify playlist featuring their favourite genres.
The tracks include The Bee Gees’ ‘How Deep Is Your Love’, Bob Marley’s ‘No Woman, No Cry’, and ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ from Pink Floyd.
Professor Sutton said: ‘Reggae is often associated with sunshine and chilling out, so perhaps this type of soothing emotional response is shared with our canine companions.’
Certain types of music can also increase stress in dogs. Research from Colorado State University also found heavy metal induced nervous shaking, barking and sleep prevention
Certain types of music can also increase stress in our animals.
Research from Colorado State University also found heavy metal induced nervous shaking, barking and sleep prevention in dogs in animal shelters.
Professor Sutton said: ‘Since a dog’s hearing range is wider than the human’s, you may want to avoid any music with whistling as this could trigger their natural sense of response and curiosity.’
Therefore, he has also put together a playlist of ten tracks to avoid while in the car with your pooch.
This includes ACDC’s ‘Back In Black’, ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica and Motorhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’.
In a survey from justhooit, 36 per cent of dog owners admitted they could not identify the signs of stress and anxiety whilst their dog was travelling.
But music isn’t the only thing you can do to make car journeys less stressful for your pet.
Becky Skyrme, a behaviourist from animal charity Blue Cross, advises easing them into it gradually, by initially guiding them into a stationary vehicle.
She said: ‘Use their favourite things to reward them for jumping in and out, and then start to build up the time they spend inside the car.
‘Then progress to going on short journeys that end in something really positive happening, like a favourite game, fun walk or receiving a tasty food treat.
‘This will help your dog to build a positive association between car travel and their favourite things.
‘If the problem persists always seek help from your vet or a qualified behaviourist.’
Nearly three quarters of all dogs are suffering from an anxiety disorder, study finds
Nearly three quarters of all dogs suffer from an anxiety disorder and can even mirror conditions their owners have like OCD and ADHD, a new study shows.
Finnish researchers from the University of Helsinki sent surveys to the owners of almost 14,000 canine companions as part of the study into dog mental health.
They found 73 per cent show some form of anxiety disorder and the related anti-social behaviour such as barking or aggression that go with it.
The biggest cause of stress for dogs is loud noise – mainly from fireworks and thunder – but they were also affected by other dogs and even people.
They found 73 per cent show some form of anxiety disorder and the related anti-social behaviour such as barking or aggression that go with it. The biggest cause of stress for dogs is loud noise, but they were also affected by other dogs and even people
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