Enjoy the silence: Preference and short-term effect of exposure to different acoustical stimuli in dogs

Abstract

Prior research has demonstrated that animal vocalizations and music can elicit emotional responses in dogs, but their preferences for different acoustic stimuli remain underexplored. This study aimed to develop a methodology to assess dogs’ preferences and behavioral reactions to various acoustic stimuli and examine the role of familiarity in shaping these responses. In the first experiment, 90 pet dogs were exposed to one of six types of sound stimuli: conspecific agonistic vocalizations, conspecific vocalizations recorded in positive contexts, classical music, relaxing music, dog-directed speech, and neutral background noise. The setup involved a room virtually divided into two areas, in which the dog could freely move. Sounds were turned on or off, depending on which of the two zones the dog was in, thereby giving subjects the possibility to choose whether to be exposed to the sound or not. Preferences were determined by relative amount of time spent in the sound versus quiet zone and behaviors were analyzed for emotional indicators. Dogs actively avoided agonistic vocalizations exhibiting increased attention-seeking behaviors toward their owners. No distinct preferences or aversions emerged for the other stimuli, although conspecific vocalizations in positive contexts and dog-directed speech elicited dogs’ attention. Both types of music resulted in lower attention towards the sound compared to the neutral condition. In Experiment 2, the same procedure was used with 20 dogs, half of whom were routinely exposed to classical music at home, to test whether familiarity with classical music affected behavioral responses and preferences. Although no significant behavioral changes or preferences for classical music were observed, dogs with prior exposure spent twice as much time in the sound zone compared to those without, suggesting enhanced likability due to familiarity. These dogs also exhibited more relaxed behaviors, indicating that familiarity may influence emotional responses.

Overall, the study introduces a novel approach for evaluating dogs' preferences for acoustic stimuli. It revealed that none of the stimuli allegedly inducing positive emotions led to a clear preference. However, behavioral data suggest that familiarity can enhance the likability of specific sounds. These findings highlight the need for further investigation into how different soundscapes influence dogs' emotions and behavior over time, and whether dogs may inherently prefer silence. Moreover, the results underscore the importance of carefully considering acoustic enrichment strategies, particularly the role of familiarization in shaping dogs' responses to their auditory environment.