Music Influences Dog Stress Levels in Shelters Shelters such as High Country Humane in Flagstaff, Arizona, play simplified classical and instrumental tracks and report dogs appear “a little bit less amped up” and show reduced stress behaviors [1]. Researchers at Tufts University note that the calming effect depends on temperament, setting, genre, and volume, and that music should complement, not replace, proven anxiety‑reduction methods [1]. Dogs also habituate to familiar sounds, meaning preferences are learned rather than innate, so rotating playlists and monitoring for signs like lip‑licking or panting is advised [1].

Human Emotional Voices Alter Canine Postural Stability A University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna study recorded 23 dogs on a pressure‑sensing platform and found angry human voice recordings increased the support surface area, indicating destabilized balance compared with silence [2]. Happy voice recordings produced mixed outcomes: 57 % of dogs showed increased sway while 43 % displayed a stabilizing “freezing” response, suggesting individual arousal differences [2]. Only the support surface metric changed significantly among five biomechanical parameters measured, highlighting a specific auditory‑balance link [2].

Experts Emphasize Context and Monitoring for Auditory Interventions Tufts lecturer Seana Dowling‑Guyer stresses that music is not a first‑line stress tool and recommends varied playlists, observation for discomfort, and consultation with certified veterinary behaviorists [1]. Vienna researchers suggest that a dog’s prior experience with humans may modulate voice‑induced balance effects, and that freezing responses could reflect anticipatory adjustments [2]. Both sources agree that auditory stimuli must be applied judiciously, with attention to individual dog responses and professional oversight [1][2].

Future Research Should Address Individual Differences and Long‑Term Effects Ongoing work should examine how habituation to music influences stress outcomes over weeks and whether specific genres yield consistent benefits across breeds [1]. Additional studies are needed to clarify mechanisms behind angry‑voice‑induced destabilization and the variable happy‑voice responses, potentially incorporating behavioral history and neurophysiological measures [2]. Integrating auditory cues with established behavior‑modification programs may enhance welfare without over‑reliance on sound alone [1][2].