The top ten Christmas songs as voted for by your dogs
A survey of 1,000 dog owners across the UK has discovered dogs’ favourite Christmas songs
A study by the charity Guide Dogs has revealed your dogs favourite Christmas jingle.
They conducted research on 1,000 dog owners across the UK and found that dog owners are 33% more likely to prioritise their dog’s taste in music over their parents’ and 23% more likely than their friends’.
90% of dogs like music, although it's not just for fun, as 25% of dog owners say music is helpful to keep their dog calm or comfortable, this is particularly noticeable during fireworks, and it is helpful when 34% say their homes will be busier and louder at Christmas time.
So what are there favourite festive jingles?
TOP 10 CHRISTMAS SONGS FOR DOGS
- Last Christmas, Wham! (10%)
- Jingle Bells (9%)
- All I Want for Christmas, Mariah Carey (6%)
- Driving Home for Christmas, Chris Rea (6%)
- I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, Wizzard (6%)
- Merry Christmas Everybody, Slade (6%)
- Silent Night (6%)
- Fairytale of New York, The Pogues (5%)
- It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Michael Bublé (6%)
- A Wonderful Christmas Time, Paul McCartney (5%)
Chief Scientific Officer at Guide dogs, Dr Helen Whiteside, told us it's important we keep an eye out for our pooches this Christmas: “As we look forward to spending the festive period with friends and loved ones, this Christmas will be a big change for an entire generation of new dogs born during lockdown. Houses are likely to be busier than normal and many dogs’ routines will change."
Dr Helen Whiteside shares her top tips for keeping dogs happy around music this Christmas:
- Start off at a low volume – dogs have super sensitive hearing so while you’re trying to work out what dogs like, play at a low volume. Dog owners will likely know cues from their dog’s behaviour that means they’re happy but falling asleep to music can be just as good a review as them dancing or wagging their tail
- Play something familiar at times of change – as this poll tells us, homes at Christmas are likely to be louder and busier. And in addition to this, routines such as when they go for a walk or eat a meal can change if on the move. At these times, it can be helpful to play a song that your dog is familiar with
- Play music in the car too – the festive period can include travel and for many dogs, this can cause nausea or sickness. Distractions such as music can reduce these feelings for dogs
- Show how the music makes you feel – dogs respond to how their owners feel. If they see that you are happy and enjoying music, or finding it calming, they are likely to reflect that in their own behaviour and emotions
- Don’t just play music when the dog is home alone – as we’ve seen – many dog owners like to play music when out of the house to keep the dog company. It’s important that this isn’t the only time music is played however, or the dog will associate music with you leaving the house