Siren Song

Why is the Law and Order theme song proving so popular among pooches?

Dog Diaries has already investigated the question of whether or not dogs can watch television. Well, the latest YouTube phenomenon is a spate of videos featuring dogs reacting to one particular TV show: Law and Order.

The videos show a variety of hounds from all over the world howling and ‘singing’ along to the theme song of the popular television series. So what is it about the show that sets our canine friends off? Is it the prospect of bad guys appearing on their screens? Are they feeding off the energy of their owners? Or do they just have little doggy crushes on Olivia, the resident detective beauty?

Different types of music affect dogs...

None of the above, says veterinary neurologist Susan Wagner. It is the high-pitched tones used in the theme song (including background sirens) rather than the show’s plot that keeps pooches ‘singing’ along.

‘Cats and dogs generally don’t like hearing high-pitched sounds,’ Dr Wagner says, adding that dogs often howl to sirens and other higher-toned sounds. Yet Wagner has recently conducted research which shows that as much as dogs and other animals dislike high-toned sounds, there is evidence to suggest that lower-toned sounds such as classical music can actually calm and sooth our four-legged friends – as reported in our article on dogs and stress.

‘Different types of music affect dogs from a behavioural standpoint,’ Wagner claims. ‘Classical music arrangements, for example, especially those with lower tones, slower tempos and less complexity reduce anxiety.’ Dr Wagner has written a book on the links between canine behaviour and music called Through a Dog’s Ears, which further explores the phenomenon.

And what does Mike Post, composer of Law and Order’s theme music think of all the four-legged attention his work has been getting? ‘I can’t believe it. This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in my life!’

•    Does your dog like to sing along to this or any other theme song? Use the Comment facility below to tell us about it!

Images by Wikipedia and SHUN [iamtekn]