Auditory Stimuli as Environmental Enrichment Tool for Family Dogs

Abstract

Ten healthy pet dogs with an average maximum resting heart rate of 92 bpm that had never been used in studies of auditory stimulation were exposed randomly to one of three sound conditions on each of three occasions within a 5-day period. Posture and behaviour were recorded continuously by video for a total of 20 min over three phases: 5 min before sound exposure, 10 min during sound exposure, and 5 min after sound exposure. Each dog wore a Polar HR monitor throughout testing, and heart rate was recorded by using R–R interval data. Maximum heart rate was significantly greater during heartbeat sound exposure than afterwards, and average heart rate with both heartbeat sound and classical sound showed decrease tendencies.The time spent in dynamic (e.g. movement-related) postures was significantly higher before treatment than during or after under all three conditions. These data suggest that auditory stimuli in dogs may affect physiological responses without necessarily affecting behaviour, and specifically that heart rate may be elevated by auditory exposure to a faster heartbeat.