![]() Sixty dogs were assigned to one of the 3 conditions and exposed to the relevant auditory stimulus for 1-hour. Study 1 explored the effects of auditory stimulation using a between-subjects design. The effect of these conditions was explored using two approaches. Three conditions of auditory stimulation were employed: (1) a control (the normal environment of the university research room), (2) classical music ( Mozart’s Sonata K.448) and (3) an audiobook ( Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone). This investigation thus examined the effect of classical music and the spoken voice in the form of an audiobook on the behaviour of pet dogs in response to separation from their owners, a known short-term stressor. The benefits of auditory stimulation for dogs experiencing more immediate types of stress, however, are still unknown. Studies carried out in rescue kennels, an environment in which dogs are prone to chronic stress, have pointed to a calming influence of both classical music and audiobooks. The domestic dog has attracted notable attention in relation to the welfare benefits of auditory stimulation. The current work has highlighted an area of concern in dog husbandry that urgently needs to be addressed. There is currently a lack of adequate guide lines for noise levels in dog kennels. If this is shown to be the case, it is not yet clear what are the best methods of reducing the levels. ![]() The noise levels recorded here may have welfare implications. The high noise levels were caused mainly by barking, but husbandry procedures such as cleaning also contributed to them. During the day L peak values regularly exceeded 100 dB and often reached 125 dB L eq values were between 65 and 100 dB. In one facility near railway lines the diurnal pattern was less obvious. Levels decreased in the evening at different times depending on the local regimes. At most sites the noise levels followed a diurnal pattern levels were generally low and relatively constant overnight, increased gradually in the early morning and then fluctuated during the working day. Two measures of SPL were used, L peak and L eq, over both low (1 Hz-20 kHz) and high (12.5–70 kHz) frequency ranges and using a linear weighting. Noise levels (sound pressure levels, SPLs) were monitored over 24 and 48 h in a number of different types of kennels including shelters, training establishments and research laboratories.
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