Poster Presentations
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Description
Music is a universal component of human culture that has been demonstrated influencing emotional, cognitive, and physiological responses, specifically heart rate and hormonal responses (Mehr et al., 2019; Trappe, 2012). Recently, this research has expended to explore how music may affect non-human animals, particularly dogs, due to their roles as therapy animals, service animals, and human companions (Lindig et al., 2020; Gee et al., 2021). Being able to understand how music influences canine stress and relaxation hold important applications in environments such as shelters, veterinary clinics, and at home. One important feature of music is tempo, or beats per minute (BPM), which has been linked to changes in physiological responses in humans. While some past research has suggested that music can have a calming effect on dogs, findings related to speed of music have been mixed, with some studies demonstrating increased stress-related behaviors in response to faster-paced music (Bowman et al., 2017; Kogan et al., 2012). These inconsistencies among research suggests that the effect of tempo on dogs is yet to be fully understood. The present study examined if the BPM of music influences dogs’ heart rate, activity level, and oxytocin levels using a controlled lo-fi music track, presented at two different tempos. By isolating tempo as the primary variable, this study aimed to further understand how auditory stimuli could influence canine physiological and psychological responses.
Publication Date
5-2026
Disciplines
Animal Experimentation and Research | Animal Studies | Behavior and Ethology | Comparative and Evolutionary Physiology | Laboratory and Basic Science Research | Music Therapy | Other Animal Sciences | Other Life Sciences | Other Music | Zoology
Recommended Citation
Lanier, Marley, "The Beat Behind the Bark: Investigating the Effects of Music Tempo on Canine Physiological and Psychological States" (2026). Poster Presentations. 56.
https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/honors_college_posters/56
Included in
Animal Experimentation and Research Commons, Animal Studies Commons, Behavior and Ethology Commons, Comparative and Evolutionary Physiology Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Music Therapy Commons, Other Animal Sciences Commons, Other Life Sciences Commons, Other Music Commons, Zoology Commons