Music is one of the most important elements of our culture. After all, we can express joy, sadness, and even comedy with a good song, and everybody has a favorite they never get tired of no matter how many times they put it on repeat. But have you ever wondered what dogs think about music?
If we think about it, dogs are known for having up to four times our hearing capabilities, so if anybody can experience music then that has to be your beloved pet. Dogs are constantly exposed to sound whether they want it or not, but the good news is that your music choices can help your pal lead a better life, and that’s why picking the right calming music for dogs is so important.
Dogs can also unwind from a tense day by listening to some music, but the key to choosing relaxing dog music is to understand the sound profiles that benefit them. Your partner might not become a Metallica fan overnight, but it’s a known fact that instrumental and ambiance sounds do help them manage their stress level. However, studies also back other outlier genres like soft reggae, so with some experimentation and by paying close attention to your buddy you’ll be able to make a great playlist for your best friend.
So with that in mind today we’ll be taking a look at the 7 best music for dogs to give you a headstart when it comes to your next canine jamming sessions.
Calming music for dogs sleeping
“Gymnopedie No. 1” by Erik Satie
Listen To Gymnopedie No. 1 On Repeat
The Gymnopedies are some of the most enduring and widely popular piano compositions in history, and the first one in the trifecta has everything you could ask for to help your furry friend get their sleeping hours in. Gymnopedie No. 1 is a slow-paced composition that makes sure to never ramp up and that it’s completely free of any vocal components as well, two great traits in music meant for sleeping whether you are a dog or a human.
If anything the composition almost slows down as it goes on, so in that sense, it’s perfect to help your pal slow down after a day of excitement and rush. Leave it on loop for a while and before you notice it your pal will be deep asleep and will enjoy classical dreams alongside Satie himself.
“The Girl With The Flaxen Hair” by Claude Debussy
Listen To The Girl With The Flaxen Hair On Repeat
When it comes to calm relaxing music for dogs two things you want to ensure are that the notes are soft and the song does not speed up dramatically, after all, it wouldn’t do much good if you calmed down your dog only for it ro get riled up again mid-song. This is where The Girl With The Flaxen Hair comes in as one of our top picks from classical composer Claude Debussy
When it comes to Debussy’s work you aren’t likely to find someone who can make a piano sound as soothing as he could. However, a large percentage of his compositions do have a considerable ramp-up towards the middle which doesn’t make them the best pick for a pup who’s trying to catch some sleep. This is why The Girl With The Flaxen Hair stands out so much, as its ramp-up is very subdued and short. This means that your dog will be able to enjoy some of the smoothest piano sounds at night without any concern.
“Menino” by Sergio Assad
Listen To Menino On Repeat
So far we’ve given a high priority to piano songs in this list, but if one string melody was going to make the cut that had to be Menino by Sergio Assad. Menino is just an absolutely magical composition with a string work that makes you feel both nostalgic and satisfied. The sounds are soft and delicate, and the overall volume of the composition is low, both great qualities when it comes to calm down music for dogs.
Menino never speeds up, never stops feeling like a calm time in the countryside and there’s a real possibility your dog will be asleep before Assad even reaches the end. In a career full of soothing compositions Menino stands out as one of the most welcoming and slow-paced ones, and that makes it one of the best possible picks to help give your dog that final push towards slumber.
Calming music for dogs with high anxiety
“L’onde” by Ludovico Einaudi
Listen To L’onde On Repeat
Ludovico Einaudi’s selection is known for its calming nature, which wonderfully manages to wrap its audiences in the mood he creates with each key. L’onde in particular is an incredibly soothing melody inspired by the pace of the waves and that will transport you and your pup into a wonderful beach stroll as you listen to it on repeat.
The main strength of L’onde for an anxious dog is that it never speeds up much, it has a very clear mood and speed that it keeps up, and the soft tones will help your dog get entranced by it while helping it calm down its heartbeat and respiration. L’onde is just a wonderful piece to relax at any time of the day, and it’s bound to help your dog be at ease.
“Primavera” by Ludovico Einaudi
Listen To Primavera On Repeat
It really comes as a testament to Ludovico Einaudi’s work that he gets a double showing in this category, but Primavera is just as amazing when it comes to unwinding down dogs. Where L’onde was inspired by the sounds of the waves and an afternoon at the beach Primavera is meant to evoke those feelings of spring and the flowers blooming around you while a new breeze blows your way.
Primavera is just as soothing as L’onde, but it does pack some more energy as one could expect from a song inspired by such a vibrant season. This however is not a bad thing, spare energy is a large part of what causes anxiety in dogs. So if your dog starts barking along towards the end of the song let it, it’s letting some steam off and that means Primavera is working just as intended.
Calming music for dogs during the storms
“Mellow Mood” by Bob Marley
Listen To Mellow Mood On Repeat
Recent studies by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have proven that certain genres that we wouldn’t usually consider for dogs can have a soothing effect on them, and amongst them, soft reggae seems to reign supreme. This is why Mellow Mood by Bob Marley is one of our top recommendations to calm a dog down during a storm.
When it comes to a storm you need a specific set of qualities to calm down your dog. The natural sounds outside are bound to be louder than any sound inside your house, and just raising the volume isn’t going to be of help since you’ll just be adding more loud noises for your buddy. In these cases, songs with lyrics can be a great boon, as they’ll help a dog refocus their attention on a new melody. On top of that Mellow Mood is as relaxed as it gets, and has been scientifically proven to help dogs unwind, so it’s just about the perfect pick.
“I’m Not In Love” by 10cc
Listen To I’m Not In Love On Repeat
If soft reggae is the number one lyrical genre to calm down dogs, soft rock is not that far behind. And that’s why today we like to introduce your dog to the timeless classic that is I’m not in love. This timeless classic is one of the smoothest tunes from the 70s and a song that we all have moved our heads to at some point in our lives.
But what does 10cc offer for dogs beyond their amazing tenure in the music genre? Well, the fact is that the sound profile in this song is great for a dog in a storm. As we mentioned before, redirecting attention is key to helping your dog stop worrying about the outside chaos, and this song is full of soft and delicate cues for your dog to get entranced. The soft humming, the slight distortions in the background, and of course the lovely voice of Eric Stewart. This means that one way or another your dog will perk at the song and start listening to it, and since all the tunes on it are so soft and smooth the concerns about the outside world will be long gone.
Final Words
Music is a powerful calming tool both for humans and dogs, but when it comes to the needs of your beloved friend it’s important to keep in mind what their needs truly are. Dogs have highly sensitive ears so certain genres are just not meant for them. So if you want your dog to have a better time and help it unwind, prioritize slow-paced compositions and avoid sounds that are too sharp. Classical is always a good pick, and there’s no shortage of great picks in the genre. But soft rock and reggae can also be of great help, especially when there are loud noises in the background.
We hope that this music helps you and your dog to unwind and maybe even bond over some new tunes. The best part is that all of these tunes are easily loopable on ListenOnRepeat and were picked with that in mind. That way if your dog needs more than just a few minutes to get its groove you’ll be ready for it. Whether you need to loop a specific part of a composition or want to create new playlists, ListenOnRepeat has your back and is easy to pick up and learn.
