How To Prevent Your Dog From Joining Street Gangs
If your dog is angsty, maybe your choice in music has something to do with it.
I spend far too much mental energy wondering the strangest things about dogs.
Like, how on earth they can drink enough to survive merely by licking the surface of water. If humans had to lick water I’m sure we’d all die of dehydration.
Animal tongues are a biological engineering wonder, aren’t they?
And, maybe I’m a bit too obsessed with my dog’s comfort, but I have always wondered if music affects her the same way it does me.
For example, it makes me cringe when I’m watching a movie that shows street gangs hanging out in rundown houses with the typical movie-style thug dogs. It’s probably a Doberman or a Rottweiler with a studded collar and the gangsters are listening to super loud, bass-heavy, thug music.
Does that dog even want to be there?
Is his brain as chaotic as mine would be if I were locked in a house with deafening gangster rap booming at all hours?
Does it change the dog’s demeanor?
Is that why gang-owned dogs are portrayed as aggressive?
I mean, I’d be a total bitch if I was subjected to that kind of noise pollution every day. I need complete silence just to sit down and write a blog post.
Does calm music create a calm dog?
I’m the type of dog mom who plays spa music for my dog.
If I have to leave her home alone I always turn on music. YouTube is brilliant for mood music, whether you’re human or canine. We regularly rotate between cafe jazz, spa channels, and YES… actual dog music. Just look at the variety on YouTube! 😁
I like to imagine Dezi is mesmerized by watching bunnies frolicking in the snow and horses galloping around in the wild, accompanied by soothing soundtracks.
She sits GLUED to videos like this one:
Are we doing our dogs any favors by enriching their environment with calm music? More importantly, are we harming them by playing loud, chaotic music?
I don’t know the answer, but research studies claim to know.
In one article published by AKC (American Kennel Club), this is what I found:
“In one study, Dr. Deborah Wells, a psychologist, found that dogs appeared less agitated after listening to selections of classical music. Their breathing slowed and they were less likely to pace around or remain standing. Heavy metal music had the opposite effect while pop music made little difference.
Similarly, Dr. Lori Kogan, also a psychologist, reported that dogs exposed to classical music spent more time sleeping and less time barking. Dogs exhibited tremors and shaking after listening to heavy metal music.
Apart from the genre, the length and frequency of a note affect how dogs respond to music. Short notes played in quick succession led to rapid motor movements. Dogs appeared calm in response to simple tones, rhythms, and sustained notes.”
(Read the full article here)
Gangster dog owners should be taking notes. Just sayin’.
I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below! Are you a “spa dog” parent? What special things do you do to ensure your dog’s comfort while you’re away from home?
Just for fun, here’s Dezi watching “DogTube” 😁😁
Nothing, but he goes to daycare if we’re both too busy to walk him. During Covid, when we couldn’t travel, we sent him on a week-long vacation to his favorite place, the doggie farm. No cages, lots of running around and kicking up snow.
I have never thought about playing music to Molly while she is alone. Could have helped when we had workers over! Will try it when I feel she needs a bit more soothing in her environment.
And now I am also trying to picture Molly as a gang dog. Did you ever see a gang dog corgi?!