Bob Marley and me! Play reggae to keep dogs calm

DOES your dog drive you barking mad on long car journeys? If so, then turning to reggae stars Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff could help.

Sam Sutton, senior lecturer of music at the University of West London, has been studying what types of music are best to keep dogs relaxed in the car – and Jamaican vibes came out top.

The polished sounds of Seventies and Eighties soft rock are also popular, but heavier groups such as Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Black Sabbath are a big no-no.

Other tracks included on the list of songs that calm our furry friends include Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The

Moon, One In Ten by UB40 and – ironically – Hounds Of Love by Kate Bush.

Mr Sutton, who worked with hotel booking platform hoo on the project, said: ‘A recent study from the University of Glasgow suggests music can affect dogs’ behaviour. ‘Dogs were exposed to a variety of sounds and styles to assess physiological and behavioural changes.

‘They witnessed that dogs displayed positive behavioural changes when exposed to certain music types. Reggae and soft rock appear to have been the tunes of choice.

‘Perhaps the combination of pristine studio production and pleasing sound aesthetics contribute to what makes the dogs’ playlist of choice.

‘Reggae is often associated with sunshine and chilling out, so perhaps this type of soothing emotional response is shared with our canine companions.’

The study also found that while 68 per cent of dog owners are aware that certain types of music cause their dog distress, 28 per cent had no idea it could upset them at all.